Project rpm 5.1 help

[Bourney]

Ive a project rpm 5.1 carbon (i think!), it doesn't get huge amounts of use but often when I come to it, one channel won't work. If I lift and drop the needle a few times it comes on. When I bought it, I was told it was a new ortofon 510 cartridge and was all set up. Something just doesn't seem right and I'd like to have a go at checking the set up. Any tips on where to start and what to look at first?
Any help greatly appreciated.

[walpurgis]

Check the cartridge tags are on the cartridge firmly and check all phono lead connections are sound.

[Bourney]

Ive checked the phono leads...I darent touch the cart conns without a bit of guidance! :D

[walpurgis]

You just need narrow ended tweezer to gently tug the cartridge tags. If they don't pull off they're probably OK. Keep well clear of the stylus.

[Andy831]

Take the stylus off before messing with the cartridge leads if your at all unsure and you should be safe Bourney. The Ortofon is Mm so has a removable stylus.

[moffer]

Take great care, the cartridge wires on Pro-ject tonearms break all too easily. I always grip the black insulation with a tweezers as close to the tags as possible.

[Old Grey Grump]

I always use a jewellers flat head screwdriver to remove tags, there's almost always a gap between the front edge of the cartridge tag and the base of the cartridge connector pins, enough to use the edge of the screwdriver to push the tags off. Much safer, absolutely no danger of accidentally pulling on anything - not that we're talking about fully removing the tags here. but a gentle push will tell you if a tag is loose as it'll slide off with no resistance. And if that does prove to be the case, tightening up tags is a whole other ball game..........

[Barry]

I always use a jewellers flat head screwdriver to remove tags, there's almost always a gap between the front edge of the cartridge tag and the base of the cartridge connector pins, enough to use the edge of the screwdriver to push the tags off. Much safer, absolutely no danger of accidentally pulling on anything - not that we're talking about fully removing the tags here. but a gentle push will tell you if a tag is loose as it'll slide off with no resistance. And if that does prove to be the case, tightening up tags is a whole other ball game..........

That is what I do. If the cartridge tag is too loose, they can be tightened in situ using needle-nosed pliers.