The Shure M97X Phono Cartridge with "Stabilizing" dust brush tracks warped records perfectly. Unique to Shure, this damped dust brush acts as a shock absorber allowing warped, bumpy, or cracked records to be tracked without the needle jumping or skipping. Check out my Seeburg Demo Record video. This is a bent & creased cardboard record that only the Shure would track perfectly at only 1.5 grams. But it's a 1/2" mount not a P-mount. Ebay price is about $60 - $80. HQ sound as well!
Not surprised the stylus is having problems tracking. That record is quite badly warped so my solution is to source another copy of the record. Best thing to do. :)
dude c'mon.... how much does it cost to buy a non warped elton john 45? Unless its a REALLY rare record, I don't get the point of even buying a warped LP/45... I suggest not basing your whole system on playing shit records.
I don't know if I'm 100% correct but I've seen seeburg (select-o-matic) jukeboxes and they use a tone arm that rides on a spring that may be able to tolerate the warpage of a record like this one.
Part 2.....by turning the screw either clockwise or counter-clockwise, you can adjust the tracking force. As I said below, I have done this many times with my SL-DD2 table, and confirmed with a tracking force gauge. It's adjustable because not all P-mount cartridges (and not all stylus types on P-mount cartridges) are the same. Some P-mounts have conical stylus, which requires heavier tracking force versus ellipticals.
You can actually adjust the tracking force on these Technics tables. If you look at the rear of the arm where the counterweight is, there will either be a small screw or a knurled knob. On the model you have, I think there would be the small screw. Using a small screwdriver, you can slowly move the counterweight forward or back to adjust the tracking force. I have done this many times with a Technics table I have (SL-DD2)....it has the small screw at the rear for adjusting the tracking force.
@phantasm1004 tracking force is adjusted with the counterweight. You screw it in or out to adjust force. Did you really need to take two comments just to say that?
@freezazoid .....what the hell is your problem dude? no one held a damn gun to your head and forced you to read my comments. whatever your condition is, i'm sure there's a medication for it. you need to lighten up. you don't like what i wrote, DON'T READ IT. simple enough for you?
To fix warp records, pick up two sheets of standard uncut replacement panel glass. Try to find the smallest piece available that measures at least 20" X 20". The thicker the glass, the better for this job. Place the vinyl record on the center of the glass. Heat your oven to about 175-200 for 10 mins, then place glass with record inbetween for 2 mins. then remove and place on table with heavy object to sit on top of the glass as it cools. If you notice warping, flip the record and repeat
Comment 1: I've owned a turntable just like this since 1999 & about the only problem I have with it is when the record's over & the tone arm returns to its post, the tone arm doesn't lower itself automatically on the post like it used to. I have to do it manually.
Comment 2: I seem to recall reading or hearing somewhere that wraped records like that can be flattened by putting the record on a glass surface & putting a bunch of heavy books on top of it. I've never tried it though.
Believe it or not, I own this same turntable, and it managed to track my ZZ Top Afterburner with two big warps on the edge! But when it reached the end of side 2 and triggered the auto-return, as the arme returned to its handle, the needle was in contact with the record surface, and it sounded like a record scratch... Fortunately, there are no deep scratches on it caused by the auto-return. :)
Well, there are high end turntables out there, especially vintage ones that you can put like 5 grams of tracking force on, or if you get one from the 1950s, a few POUNDS! XD You can definitely change the shape of the record with an old player like that. Preferably, you should get one from the 1970s that has quality and durability unlike modern tables.
This squares with my experience. Cheap turntables with spring-balanced arms usually handle warped records better than more accurate weight balanced ones because the spring loosens up as the arm is pushed up, increasing the tracking force enough to keep the needle in the groove. Balancing an arm with dead weight also doubles its rotational moment of inertia, making it even more eager to fly off the record. I had a late '70s Garrard with a spring and a hollow dummy weight, it would play anything!
Technics tonearms are generally longer than other brands, & that allows for much more accurate tracking.
You can't get a Sony to track properly beyond 2/3 of the way through an album. It doesn't happen. I've seen too many people try it by the book, tried it myself through a 'tracking disc', etc. It does...not...happen. Stick with Technics!
Sounds like a broken CD...LOL...Thanks for sharing. I have that exact same turntable. I do not collect damaged records so I think I am okay for now...
@batterymaker I own this piece of crap turntable, I did that, made the stylus scratch the record...I suggest vwestlife to invest in a vintage audiophile turntable, like a 1970s Pioneer, etc.
It is not just the tracking force it is also the poor design of the tonearm, and not having good tone arm mass. Quality tone arms such as the Shure SME 3009 Mk 11 or the Magnetrac Unitrac tonearm I have posted playing Misty by Sarah Vaughn have no problem tracking severly warped records. I have a Technics linear tracker with a short tonearm and P mount cartridge and it plays severly warped reocrds, P mount tone arms limit you to the type and quality of cartridge you can use.
Well, you should never try to play a record that is THAT badly warped on ANY turntable.
Remember, a high level of warp means that, as the stylus rides in the groove, the tracking force exerted will increase exponentially beyond the rated maximum force of the stylus when it skates on the ascent towards the peak of the warp.
The record is already ruined by the excessive warp so the additional wear on the grooves is of no consequence, but you will needlessly stress the stylus and the cantilever.
Wow! I'd be afraid of busting the stylus cantilever if I tried to play that! I just ordered a Shibata stylus (originally used to play the 30KHz subcarrier on CD-4 Quad records) for mine and I plan on making a video to show the sound difference. They are supposed to be able to produce better sound from worn-out or groove damaged records because the stylus contacts almost the entire groove wall.
When I acquired a record player and tried it with my mom's (perfect condition) records, it sounded pretty badly, but when I put a quarter on the arm, it sounded perfect. Now i'm scared I might have done something to her records! At least I only played them a couple of times, and we don't play them anymore anyway.
My step father got a Dixie Dreggs record when he was young and it was warped, it had been damaged in transit. I believe he place the record between 2 tiles then put it into teh clothes dryer and turned it on, pleas ynderstand this was not a tumble driver, it was a drying cabinet, this procedure flattened out the record so it could be played.
Yup. A lighter tracking force is better for your records, but badly warped records like that, you definitely need a higher force, but not so high as to make the tonearm bottom out on the record.
I've found that linear-tracking turntables do a better job at tracking warped records, when they work right.
I'm making a few videos of LPs using the Technics; stay tuned for them on my vwest1ife channel. It does sound good on a well-kept LP; it has an Audio Technica 3003 cartridge with a rated frequency response of 15 to 27,000 Hz.
Sony doesn't specify the tracking force, but other turntables using the same chassis track at around 3 grams. It also has a shorter tonearm, which helps reduce the bobbing effect. If you drop the Technics' tonearm on the rest, it bounces a few times, but on the Sony it just drops and stays put.
The Shure M97X Phono Cartridge with "Stabilizing" dust brush tracks warped records perfectly. Unique to Shure, this damped dust brush acts as a shock absorber allowing warped, bumpy, or cracked records to be tracked without the needle jumping or skipping. Check out my Seeburg Demo Record video. This is a bent & creased cardboard record that only the Shure would track perfectly at only 1.5 grams. But it's a 1/2" mount not a P-mount. Ebay price is about $60 - $80. HQ sound as well!
TwinMillMC 1 month ago
Not surprised the stylus is having problems tracking. That record is quite badly warped so my solution is to source another copy of the record. Best thing to do. :)
SuperRecordman 1 month ago
What is the better way to clean a stylus?
TheBabinne 1 month ago
@TheBabinne Gently rub it back to front with a small, soft-bristle brush (like a nail polish brush).
vwestlife 1 month ago
Comment removed
phantasm1004 7 months ago
dude c'mon.... how much does it cost to buy a non warped elton john 45? Unless its a REALLY rare record, I don't get the point of even buying a warped LP/45... I suggest not basing your whole system on playing shit records.
freezazoid 7 months ago
just lay a BRICK on the head of that tone arm - problem solved!
Zickcermacity 8 months ago
What the hell would you expect mate ..the single was warped badly ..I wouldn't expect any turntable or arm to play it ..what is your point here ?
Recordbhoy 8 months ago 3
@Recordbhoy My Pioneer turntable plays it almost without flaw. Look up the video "Elton John - Daniel [warped 45]".
vwestlife 8 months ago
LOL! Hope the needle is still 100%.
beatlesfan464 8 months ago
I don't know if I'm 100% correct but I've seen seeburg (select-o-matic) jukeboxes and they use a tone arm that rides on a spring that may be able to tolerate the warpage of a record like this one.
mattsprinter 8 months ago
Sounds like modern fidgeting french electro house, or like Akufen.
crocz 8 months ago
Part 2.....by turning the screw either clockwise or counter-clockwise, you can adjust the tracking force. As I said below, I have done this many times with my SL-DD2 table, and confirmed with a tracking force gauge. It's adjustable because not all P-mount cartridges (and not all stylus types on P-mount cartridges) are the same. Some P-mounts have conical stylus, which requires heavier tracking force versus ellipticals.
phantasm1004 9 months ago
You can actually adjust the tracking force on these Technics tables. If you look at the rear of the arm where the counterweight is, there will either be a small screw or a knurled knob. On the model you have, I think there would be the small screw. Using a small screwdriver, you can slowly move the counterweight forward or back to adjust the tracking force. I have done this many times with a Technics table I have (SL-DD2)....it has the small screw at the rear for adjusting the tracking force.
phantasm1004 9 months ago
@phantasm1004 tracking force is adjusted with the counterweight. You screw it in or out to adjust force. Did you really need to take two comments just to say that?
freezazoid 7 months ago
@freezazoid .....what the hell is your problem dude? no one held a damn gun to your head and forced you to read my comments. whatever your condition is, i'm sure there's a medication for it. you need to lighten up. you don't like what i wrote, DON'T READ IT. simple enough for you?
phantasm1004 7 months ago
To fix warp records, pick up two sheets of standard uncut replacement panel glass. Try to find the smallest piece available that measures at least 20" X 20". The thicker the glass, the better for this job. Place the vinyl record on the center of the glass. Heat your oven to about 175-200 for 10 mins, then place glass with record inbetween for 2 mins. then remove and place on table with heavy object to sit on top of the glass as it cools. If you notice warping, flip the record and repeat
RetroPCDOS 10 months ago
@RetroPCDOS
You can also use the sun, etheir way it works.
RetroPCDOS 10 months ago
You would have much better luck with a sprung-loaded tonearm with a Goldring G800
TheBeebopper 10 months ago
bump, bump, bump, bump...
cheetawolf 1 year ago
sounds like Bad stuttering FM reception!
raymondleeleggs 1 year ago
you can fix that recoder need to flat glass an the sun
CoolTim44 1 year ago
its george mcfly!
TheSabatrixx 1 year ago
The Stig would be disappointed.
HarvestmanMan 1 year ago
Comment 1: I've owned a turntable just like this since 1999 & about the only problem I have with it is when the record's over & the tone arm returns to its post, the tone arm doesn't lower itself automatically on the post like it used to. I have to do it manually.
Comment 2: I seem to recall reading or hearing somewhere that wraped records like that can be flattened by putting the record on a glass surface & putting a bunch of heavy books on top of it. I've never tried it though.
tamspeci 1 year ago
Believe it or not, I own this same turntable, and it managed to track my ZZ Top Afterburner with two big warps on the edge! But when it reached the end of side 2 and triggered the auto-return, as the arme returned to its handle, the needle was in contact with the record surface, and it sounded like a record scratch... Fortunately, there are no deep scratches on it caused by the auto-return. :)
OldMusicOnVinyl1 1 year ago
Buy an Linn LP12!
stevie767 1 year ago
@stevie767 If I could afford one, I would!
vwestlife 1 year ago
@stevie767 My sondek would not play this record!
philtorpey 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@stevie767 you are a pathetic moron
nlcatter 6 months ago
Well, there are high end turntables out there, especially vintage ones that you can put like 5 grams of tracking force on, or if you get one from the 1950s, a few POUNDS! XD You can definitely change the shape of the record with an old player like that. Preferably, you should get one from the 1970s that has quality and durability unlike modern tables.
VinylLad 1 year ago
This squares with my experience. Cheap turntables with spring-balanced arms usually handle warped records better than more accurate weight balanced ones because the spring loosens up as the arm is pushed up, increasing the tracking force enough to keep the needle in the groove. Balancing an arm with dead weight also doubles its rotational moment of inertia, making it even more eager to fly off the record. I had a late '70s Garrard with a spring and a hollow dummy weight, it would play anything!
lrd9999 1 year ago
Um two words epic fail
Chianagirl 1 year ago
Technics tonearms are generally longer than other brands, & that allows for much more accurate tracking.
You can't get a Sony to track properly beyond 2/3 of the way through an album. It doesn't happen. I've seen too many people try it by the book, tried it myself through a 'tracking disc', etc. It does...not...happen. Stick with Technics!
knoxunflower1 1 year ago
these turntable is not design for read a warped vinyl. tell me how much weight you put over the cartridge? anyway thanks for the demo.
fertub26 1 year ago
@fertub26 P-Mount turntables use a fixed tracking force of 1.25 grams.
vwestlife 1 year ago
@vwestlife but the P-Mount is not the problem. I own a Technics which has also P-Mount and it tracks perfectly warped vinyls.
Jesus10741 1 year ago
Sounds like a broken CD...LOL...Thanks for sharing. I have that exact same turntable. I do not collect damaged records so I think I am okay for now...
cartoonfan1920s 1 year ago
How very avant-garde
sheps999 2 years ago
I have a few records like that lol! Yeah I play stuff like that on my older vintage players.
rockybabyboy 2 years ago
Heh...
"Bobbidi-bobbidi-bobbidi-bobbidi...."
And I don't think taping a penny on the tonearm's gonna help...
batterymaker 2 years ago
@batterymaker I own this piece of crap turntable, I did that, made the stylus scratch the record...I suggest vwestlife to invest in a vintage audiophile turntable, like a 1970s Pioneer, etc.
VinylLad 1 year ago
It is not just the tracking force it is also the poor design of the tonearm, and not having good tone arm mass. Quality tone arms such as the Shure SME 3009 Mk 11 or the Magnetrac Unitrac tonearm I have posted playing Misty by Sarah Vaughn have no problem tracking severly warped records. I have a Technics linear tracker with a short tonearm and P mount cartridge and it plays severly warped reocrds, P mount tone arms limit you to the type and quality of cartridge you can use.
maynardcat 2 years ago
Well, you should never try to play a record that is THAT badly warped on ANY turntable.
Remember, a high level of warp means that, as the stylus rides in the groove, the tracking force exerted will increase exponentially beyond the rated maximum force of the stylus when it skates on the ascent towards the peak of the warp.
The record is already ruined by the excessive warp so the additional wear on the grooves is of no consequence, but you will needlessly stress the stylus and the cantilever.
Watcher3223 2 years ago
Wow! I'd be afraid of busting the stylus cantilever if I tried to play that! I just ordered a Shibata stylus (originally used to play the 30KHz subcarrier on CD-4 Quad records) for mine and I plan on making a video to show the sound difference. They are supposed to be able to produce better sound from worn-out or groove damaged records because the stylus contacts almost the entire groove wall.
pdmillar 2 years ago
I love the p-mount turntables because they save alignment work, but they are a strain on customization.
SlimeTron5000 2 years ago
When I acquired a record player and tried it with my mom's (perfect condition) records, it sounded pretty badly, but when I put a quarter on the arm, it sounded perfect. Now i'm scared I might have done something to her records! At least I only played them a couple of times, and we don't play them anymore anyway.
Great video!
themaritimeman 2 years ago
Thats what happens with my Soundesign stereo, when I use a bad record
There is a gerrard TT at a local buy sale trade store thats been there for months I think I'll get ti next month if its still there.
raymondleeleggs 2 years ago
My step father got a Dixie Dreggs record when he was young and it was warped, it had been damaged in transit. I believe he place the record between 2 tiles then put it into teh clothes dryer and turned it on, pleas ynderstand this was not a tumble driver, it was a drying cabinet, this procedure flattened out the record so it could be played.
Lachlant1984 2 years ago
Is the needle still okay?
SlimeTron5000 2 years ago
Yup. A lighter tracking force is better for your records, but badly warped records like that, you definitely need a higher force, but not so high as to make the tonearm bottom out on the record.
I've found that linear-tracking turntables do a better job at tracking warped records, when they work right.
JeffN727 2 years ago
The problem is the record, not the turntable. Frisbee that little sucker because you can replace Elton John singles for next to nothing (:->
bluenazz 2 years ago
HAHAHA!!! that thing was just bouncing around lol; but from what I could hear, it does sound very nice though.
Also, my friend has that exact same turntable. He just thinks it's the cat's ass, and he even has a whole array of cart/styli for different uses.
He tells me to buy one of those and ditch my vintage Sanyo, but I love my Sanyo lol
I even got a 1970s era BSR changer kicking around; plays my 78s, badly damaged LPs, and I LOVE THE STACKER! It can manage 6 LPs at a time.
wilkes85 2 years ago
Comment removed
wilkes85 2 years ago
I'm making a few videos of LPs using the Technics; stay tuned for them on my vwest1ife channel. It does sound good on a well-kept LP; it has an Audio Technica 3003 cartridge with a rated frequency response of 15 to 27,000 Hz.
vwestlife 2 years ago
Wow, what was the tracking force on the Sony? Glad I sold mine and kept my Technics :-)
Maxxarcade 2 years ago
Sony doesn't specify the tracking force, but other turntables using the same chassis track at around 3 grams. It also has a shorter tonearm, which helps reduce the bobbing effect. If you drop the Technics' tonearm on the rest, it bounces a few times, but on the Sony it just drops and stays put.
vwestlife 2 years ago