12-inch tonearm options

[surayne]

Having heard an SME3012 over the weekend, I've decided to go for a 12-incher for my Lenco L75 build. The budget will be around £500.

The only new-ish options I've come across are the Jelco 750L and the rebuilt Ortofon tonearms made by a German guy called Alfred Gerd in Spain (more info here). I've got a 9-inch Jelco at the moment and it's great, but I would like something different... The Schick and Apparition arms look interesting but have long lead times and are out of budget new.

What else would be available around this budget, new or used? Does anyone have any experience of the rebuilt Gerd tonearms?

[Jonneville]

I was in the same position last year when looking for a 12" arm for my TD 124. I considered those Gerd arms but couldn't find anything about them apart from a mention of a modified Thorens arm on Stefano's site. I've noticed that his prices have increased somewhat over the last year - seem to be about half as much again compared with what they were. Wasn't that Ortofon arm used on a cheap music centre, which is presumably his source?

I know the Jelco is rated but I bought a 12" 750LB and returned it - what I really wanted was a Schick and by the time you've bought a decent lead and heavier counterweight the price differential narrows. l didn't want to wait six months or more and was lucky to find one on German ebay - logical place to find one really seeing as that's where they are made! I knew that if I'd kept the Jelco it would have bugged me that it wasn't what I really wanted and eventually would have been sold for a Schick - buy once, buy right...

Other options I thought about were converting either a Rega R200 or SME 3009 to 12". I have owned a Rega Planar 2 since '78 so if I had not bought the Schick, I would have gone the Rega route - try Speedy Steve?

Regards

Jon'.

[hifi_dave]

Nottingham Analogue have two 12 inch arms which are very good indeed and Funk have at least one. Helius also have a couple.

[surayne]

Thanks chaps. I had my suspicions about the Gerd arms, it seemed a bit too good to be true for an Ortofon arm! Jonathan, how dow you find the Schick stick compared to the Jelco? What carts have you used with it? While I have a Denon 103 at the moment (which should work well with the Schick), I wonder if it does well with lighter or more compliant carts? The damping on the Jelco is useful, from that aspect.

Dave, I'll keep an eye out for the Nottingham arms, they seem well regarded. Funk's arm is a heavily modified Rega, isn't it? The Helius arms are interesting but from what I can tell the 12" versions are special order and would be far out of budget.

[stevied]

What about a "Morch"

[surayne]

The Moerchs look interesting, but are well above budget new and I've yet see one available used.

[oldius]

I have a 12" Nottingham Ace Anna on my 401. It is a wonderful arm and my favourite of the arms I have; there's just something about the simplicity and quality of the engineering that I adore.

[Jonboy]

I have a 12" Nottingham Ace Anna on my 401. It is a wonderful arm and my favourite of the arms I have; there's just something about the simplicity and quality of the engineering that I adore.

Without trying to be rude i should hope it should sound very good at that price and way over budget for the op request

[surayne]

I have a 12" Nottingham Ace Anna on my 401. It is a wonderful arm and my favourite of the arms I have; there's just something about the simplicity and quality of the engineering that I adore.

As it should, for over £2,000! Lovely-looking arm, I must say. It is a unipivot, isn't it?

[Mr Kipling]

Could you not convert an old Hadcock?