Can you identify this Contraption on my friends Turntable Arm/Cartridge

[sparkyhx]

Someone I know is asking me if I can fix her (deceased Husbands) Turntable. She says it working loose. But I have NEVER seen anything like it. So I can investigate can anyone tell me what it is before I go up and am flummoxed?

Its on a Michell Girodec.

Thanks

 

[Integralista]

Hi, it looks like some small "help tool" to set up azimut of cantilever against platter surface. I think Michell Gyrodeck on your picture has SME arm. This should be not so difficult to set up. BR.

 

[nopiano]

Another couple of pictures would help. Is it a clothes peg with a rubber band around the cartridge? Maybe because the van den hul designs have a naked cantilever and it’s a homemade attempt to keep prying hands or dusters away?

Or that sponge spacer is an isolater that was fitted, awaiting set up? What exactly is supposedly “working loose”?

 

[Al ears]

It looks like a plastic clothes peg to me holding cartridge on with a rubber band.
Remove it...., Along with the unnecessary isolator, then recheck the required tracking force.
Note: that cartridge dies not have a naked cantilever.
Very nice cartridge by the way....

 

[sparkyhx]

Thanks, I think I'll gave to go and see it and make an assessment then. She tried to describe what was happening and it sounded like the cartridge was twisting and I said it should be held on with screws - well you can see those in the photo, so I'm not sure. He had 'taught her' how to look after his beloved hifi before he died and she knows how to change the belt and to oil the spindle. He couldn't speak towards the end. So maybe something got lost in translation.

What I dont understand is why its there - he was meticulous/obsessional, so it must be there for a purpose I just can't see him bodging something

If its removed I doubt she would tell the difference, as she says she plays music when pottering around the house. Having said that there will be a lot of sentimental value attached.
I've got first refusal if she decides to get rid...............maybe I could persuade her to go digital! 😈

 

[nopiano]

If its removed I doubt she would tell the difference, as she says she plays music when pottering around the house.

So she actually plays records with that rubber band and peg attached? 😱

Maybe there’s not enough tracking force without it, but it looks like a bizarre bodge if so. On second thoughts, maybe it’s like a large ‘handle’ to use rather than the little finger lift. It must be deliberate?!

Do revert and tell us what you discover!

Good luck, and a belated welcome to the forum.

 

[Al ears]

So she actually plays records with that rubber band and peg attached? 😱

Maybe there’s not enough tracking force without it, but it looks like a bizarre bodge if so. On second thoughts, maybe it’s like a large ‘handle’ to use rather than the little finger lift. It must be deliberate?!

Do revert and tell us what you discover!

Good luck, and a belated welcome to the forum.

That's what I thought, some form of extended finger lift but must have affected tracking force unless be adjusted it correctly (1.4-1.5gm).
This is why it must be readjusted once removed.
No way cartridge should move if bolts done up sufficiently.
And they are bolts not screws.....
And the arm / cartridge are probably worth more than the turntable itself.
if cartridge is moving it's probably down to that spongy isolator, remove and bin.

 

[daytona600]

Bottom part
looks like a len gregory the cartidge man isolator ( isolates the cartidge from the tonearm )

Top Part
looks like a heath robinson azimuth gauge
.

 

[Al ears]

Bottom part
looks like a len gregory the cartidge man isolator ( isolates the cartidge from the tonearm )

Top Part
looks like a heath robinson azimuth gauge
.View attachment 10489

Agreed but there's no metal plate to and bottom of what seems to be fitted so no wonder it moved.
Wonder if the gent had issues with grip hence the attempt at extending the finger lift.