12" DIY tonearm ala Schick for my SP10

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

Yet another brilliant D.I.Y project - and one dear to my heart too, as I love Schick arms, so well done! I'm glad that it's worked out so well

You are also so right about over-egging the mass with cartridges, and how things sing when you get it spot on - been there, done that, many times with the DL-103 and plenty of other cartridges, so I know just how significant the effect is of getting things right in that respect!

Would you consider making custom-made extra-heavy counterweight balances to order, made from brass, for the likes of tonearms such as the Jelco SA-750 or standard Techie arm? These would be ideal for many people using low compliance cartridges on heavy headshells who need a suitably 'beefy' weight at the other end to balance things out.

If so, I can see a nice little side-line for you from which to earn some pocket money!

Marco.

[Magna Audio]

Hi Steve,

Yet another brilliant D.I.Y project - and one dear to my heart too, as I love Schick arms, so well done! I'm glad that it's worked out so well

You are also so right about over-egging the mass with cartridges, and how things sing when you get it spot on - been there, done that, many times with the DL-103 and plenty of other cartridges, so I know just how significant the effect is of getting things right in that respect!

Would you consider making custom-made extra-heavy counterweight balances to order, made from brass, for the likes of tonearms such as the Jelco SA-750 or standard Techie arm? These would be ideal for many people using low compliance cartridges on heavy headshells who need a suitably 'beefy' weight at the other end to balance things out.

If so, I can see a nice little side-line for you from which to earn some pocket money!

Marco.

I would - it depends on the shaft dia. I have most usual sizes of hole cutters and could build a database of them.
If there are odd sizes I can machine out larger ones if a short length but it better to drill or holecut.
These would have a simple grubscrew and slide on unless there's a spiral carrier that lets you slide a different weight on like the Acos PL-71 arm does...

So if you want a weight let me know :
- diameter size inner
- diameter size outer
- what mass.

I can then work out how much needed. Perhaps there is a cheat sheet on the web for this. I only really want to use brass as it's nice to machine - forget titanium. Gold at your expense and I would keep the filings and off cut

I will see what bar stock I have or have to order more.

I tend to just finish with fine emery cloth as lifes too short for mirror finishing polishing and unless you lacquer they tarnish. The satin finish you see in the pics lasts for at least months like that.
Lacquering would be possible too

Could certainly do normal sizes for £25 + postage.

The 12" SPU weight is a little bigger than most

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

I would - it depends on the shaft dia. I have most usual sizes of hole cutters and could build a database of them.
If there are odd sizes I can machine out larger ones if a short length but it better to drill or holecut.
These would have a simple grubscrew and slide on unless there's a spiral carrier that lets you slide a different weight on like the Acos PL-71 arm does...

So if you want a weight let me know :
- diameter size inner
- diameter size outer
- what mass.

I can then work out how much needed. Perhaps there is a cheat sheet on the web for this. I only really want to use brass as it's nice to machine - forget titanium. Gold at your expense and I would keep the filings and off cut

I will see what bar stock I have or have to order more.

I tend to just finish with fine emery cloth as lifes too short for mirror finishing polishing and unless you lacquer they tarnish. The satin finish you see in the pics lasts for at least months like that.
Lacquering would be possible too

Could certainly do normal sizes for £25 + postage.

The 12" SPU weight is a little bigger than most

Ok, I'll make the above into a sticky in Analogue Art and people can contact you accordingly - I can see a few people being interested in this!

What about custom-made arm plates for certain T/T & tonearm combos?

Marco.

P.S Could you supply a contact email address to attach to your 'ad' which you don't mind remaining in the public domain?

[Magna Audio]

Well after further VTA fiddles and a few improvements here and there the arm is really singing.
It does better the 9" Acos arm on the SP-10. There's less distortion = calmer. Highs are better defined and since I dropped the counter weight down (lower CofG) I fancy the bass is better too.
It's a different presentation but one that I like.

So mission accomplished.

Might build a 10" just for fun next...

[Magna Audio]

Got around to doing a proper arm lift holder out of flat brass.
Similar clamp on arrangement as SME's with a height adjustable holder for the Rega armlift I have. Work very nicely and feels very secure.



Next stop the lash up arm rest - next weekend.

Photo taken with Nokia N82.

[Magna Audio]

UPDATE! Cracked it!
Had a long think about the negatives & positive of the 12" arm. Back to basics - the bearings.
Ran them in for another 48hrs at least and then flushed the grease out with solvent and high pressure airline (tip from wigwammer).

Result - I could not tell in my hand but on plumbing in and trying the SPU Silver Meister I now have the thing is transformed!

The bass is very good (was before), cymbals were good too - both better than the 9" arm.

The new improvement is midrange punch and life / emotion is there. So now I have the best bits of the 12" sound and none of the negatives (a bit over calm / unemotional) I had before.
The 12" still has a calm authority about it that the 9" can't match when the going gets complex but it is not intruding on the music anymore - far from it, it helps.

Perhaps it is that the Silver Meister suits the 12" config better than the Royal N, however I am preferring what the Silver Meister does on the 12" better than the 9" now and that is the main thing.

Couple of pics.





This is SPU'tastic now!

I am confident the changes have brought about a really good arm.

If anyone wants a 9" or 12" one let me know and we can discuss.
10" depends on jig development so not for the time being.