Straight arm and headshell

[stereoman]

Hi. How is it exactly going with mounting a headshell on straight arms ? I mean is it ok to mount a straight headshell on straight arm or one must mount an angled headshell in every case ? Will a straight headshell mistrack when placed on straight arms ? Have noticed that many TT with straight arms have straight headshells. Mine comes with an angled headshell. But how does it work on these TTs like below ?

 

[Al ears]

Hi. How is it exactly going with mounting a headshell on straight arms ? I mean is it ok to mount a straight headshell on straight arm or one must mount an angled headshell in every case ? Will a straight headshell mistrack when placed on straight arms ? Have noticed that many TT with straight arms have straight headshells. Mine comes with an angled headshell. But how does it work on these TTs like below ?

On most straight arms the cartridge offset angle is built into the headshell on others the cartridge itself has to be aligned correctly within the headshell.

It all depends on the manufacturer. If your deck comes with an angled headshell then it's best to replace it with one that is amgled if need be.

In your picture the cartridge is aligned by using the screw positions within the slotted headshell. NOTE: in that picture I would suggest the cartridge is not correctly aligned.

 

[Deleted member 108165]

All headshells are straight it is the arm that is shaped on certain applications.

 

[davedotco]

t is a simple matter of geometry.

In an ideal world the stylus would follow a straight line from disc edge to spindel (radial). This would require a parallel tracking arm (difficult to engineer and expensive) or a pivoted arm of infinite length (impractical).

With a pivoted arm of any useable length the stylus will track in an arc that is close to, but not quite on the straight line ideal. By varying the position of the arm mount and applying an offset to the headshell the designer can minimise the variarion from the straight line ideal. Many arms have a sloted mounting arrangement in the headshell to offer fine adjustment to minimise this variation.

This is usually adjusted using an alignment protractor, which can be anything from a simple piece of printed card to an elaborate mechanical device like this...

 

[MajorFubar]

All headshells are straight it is the arm that is shaped on certain applications.

Usually but certainly not all.

 

[daytona600]

Have noticed that many TT with straight arms have straight headshells.

deck in your picture is a DJ model with straight skip proof tone arm. Perfect and skip proof tracking is guaranteed allowing every scratching technique

most detachable headsheels are designed for SME/Jelco bayonet headsheels.

 

[Al ears]

All headshells are straight it is the arm that is shaped on certain applications.

Usually but certainly not all.

Quite so... ;-)

Looks like a Lenco.

If it were straight it would require slots to correctly align the cartridge.

 

[MajorFubar]

Looks like a Lenco.

If it were straight it would require slots to correctly align the cartridge.

Correct, it's the drilled lighter headshell for the GL69/75/78 etc

 

[stereoman]

Thank you all for great comments. I also noticed that it probably depends on the arm length. By my Teac the arm is straight and long so a straight headshell won't be acceptable I think whereas by short length arms you can easily install straight shells ? I mean look at the picture of Teac 300n on the internet. On the upper pic of a some turntable ( not mine ) posted earlier the arm is short that is why one can install a straight shell I presume.

 

[Al ears]

Thank you all for great comments. I also noticed that it probably depends on the arm length. By my Teac the arm is straight and long so a straight headshell won't be acceptable I think whereas by short length arms you can easily install straight shells ? I mean look at the picture of Teac 300n on the internet. On the upper pic of a some turntable ( not mine ) posted earlier the arm is short that is why one can install a straight shell I presume.

The arm + headshell commonly measures to the 'standard' 9 inches. Some of course are longer but need special mounting arrangements.

 

[Al ears]

Thank you all for great comments. I also noticed that it probably depends on the arm length. By my Teac the arm is straight and long so a straight headshell won't be acceptable I think whereas by short length arms you can easily install straight shells ? I mean look at the picture of Teac 300n on the internet. On the upper pic of a some turntable ( not mine ) posted earlier the arm is short that is why one can install a straight shell I presume.

Double post, apologies my tablets gone crazy.

 

[Al ears]

Looks like a Lenco.

If it were straight it would require slots to correctly align the cartridge.

Correct, it's the drilled lighter headshell for the GL69/75/78 etc

I had the solid version on my old Leak (GL75) turntable.

 

[MajorFubar]

I had the solid version on my old Leak (GL75) turntable.

Yeah they are by far the more plentiful. I do love the GL75. For all the stick that idler-drive decks take, the bass always had an amazing solidity and weight to it that I haven't heard from belt drives (limits of my own experiences not withstanding). But the arm is shocking. I've see a few with SME3009's, but never heard one.

 

[Deleted member 108165]

t is a simple matter of geometry.

In an ideal world the stylus would follow a straight line from disc edge to spindel (radial). This would require a parallel tracking arm (difficult to engineer and expensive) or a pivoted arm of infinite length (impractical).

With a pivoted arm of any useable length the stylus will track in an arc that is close to, but not quite on the straight line ideal. By varying the position of the arm mount and applying an offset to the headshell the designer can minimise the variarion from the straight line ideal. Many arms have a sloted mounting arrangement in the headshell to offer fine adjustment to minimise this variation.

This is usually adjusted using an alignment protractor, which can be anything from a simple piece of printed card to an elaborate mechanical device like this...

I am the proud owner of that exact elaborate mechanical device *biggrin* Works brilliantly.

 

[Deleted member 108165]

All headshells are straight it is the arm that is shaped on certain applications.

Usually but certainly not all.

I stand corrected.