Cartridge alignment tool

[Phil Lawton]

Good people - am I correct in thinking that cartridge alignment tools are universal?

Casting my eye around the net, there seems to be a huge disparity in prices for more or less the same thing, the only difference being (as far as I can tell) the brand associated with each one.

Would a £40 example be any different to one costing £4?

[struth]

There are different disciplines. Baerwald, Stevenson and others. They all do same thing or try to. Some are better than others.
Also depends on your tonearm and cart tbh as to what's best. And most accurate plus there is ease of use.

There are a number of things needed to be done and some expensive ones are all singing

[Audio Al]

I have used a Van den Hul for years now , looks like a small mirrored ruler think it was about £15

or you can have this for free
https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge-alignment-protractors.shtml

:D

[Phil Lawton]

Thanks, chaps.

[Primalsea]

I think its all about ease of use and what alignment you want. Some alignment tools require a very good eye and steady hands, some almost hold the cartridge in place for you. Some alignments provide the lowest distortion overall while another will provide lower distortion at some points of the record but more at others.

[Firebottle]

This is my go to protractor http://www.vacuumstate.com/fileupload/Guru_protractor.pdf

[Barry]

This is my go to protractor http://www.vacuumstate.com/fileupload/Guru_protractor.pdf

I hope your printer is accurate and doesn't suffer from astigmatism.

[garrard]

Good people - am I correct in thinking that cartridge alignment tools are universal?



Two point protractors are universal, but there are others that only work for a particular pivot to spindle distance and arm length. Thos types, for example, might have a sight line that you aim at the pivot, or others might be essentially just overhang gauges.

I would not pay for one, just print one accurately, and maybe laminate it (that's what I do).

[karma67]

This is my go to protractor http://www.vacuumstate.com/fileupload/Guru_protractor.pdf

interesting you use the guru settings,what made you pick it?
https://www.vinylengine.com/guru-protractor-analysed.shtml

[Phil Lawton]

Thanks again, folks.

[Firebottle]

interesting you use the guru settings,what made you pick it?
https://www.vinylengine.com/guru-protractor-analysed.shtml

I have a great respect for the late Allen Wright so I will thought I would try it. It seems to work well for me :)