Anyone had this experience before?

I shipped my 1200's and I guess that UPS dropped them so many times, the tone arms got totally screwed up.

At first the entire tone arm was loose, but that was fixed by tightening the 3 sets of screws - on top, the left, and the right.

However I still can't seem to balance it. I either have to remove the counterweight or slide it all the way in to have the needle even touch the record.

In addition, one of the decks's arms has a swing to the left when the needle is dropped. When I play with the top screw, it does the same thing, but to the right!

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

cant you claim it on insurance if your item was broke during shipping?

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http://www.prizelive.com/r/sleepydragon

Good suggestion, but a) I didn't insure the package (brilliant) and b) I don't think it's broken, it just needs the proper adjustments. I just need to know what those adjustments are.

check the instructions that came with your cartridge for balancing tone arms. if you don't have one, just set it so that the tone arm is balanced evenly parallel to the turntable and go from there.. set it so that the needle is very lightly sitting on the vinyl, but still with enough weight to keep it from flying off..

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d(-_-)b.N1

I wonder how many people think that their turntables are faulty before they realise they just don't know how to set them up? haha

quote:

Originally posted by aLviNx80 check the instructions that came with your cartridge for balancing tone arms. if you don't have one, just set it so that the tone arm is balanced evenly parallel to the turntable and go from there.. set it so that the needle is very lightly sitting on the vinyl, but still with enough weight to keep it from flying off..

Yeah, I know how to balance it if the screws in the tonearm aren't 'screwed up'. (bad joke)

Isn't there a turntable doctor in the house??

ups broke my laptop screen last year.... took them about 3 months to fix it.... so if you are going to claim it, its going to take for ever.

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quote:

Originally posted by Halcyon+On+On OOKA-OOKA ME NACHOS ME PRESS KEYS ON COMPUTER GOOD

quote:

Originally posted by stevebutabi Yeah, I know how to balance it if the screws in the tonearm aren't 'screwed up'. (bad joke) Isn't there a turntable doctor in the house??

Your quote.. "I don't think it's broken, it just needs the proper adjustments. I just need to know what those adjustments are."

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d(-_-)b.N1

i guess i misuderstood you.

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d(-_-)b.N1

Are they new or seconds? Or did you just freight them for another reason?

It could be that if they weren't packed correctly for transit(or if they are seconds, they were previously damaged) the part that the screw your referring to joins with, may be damaged.

ie the point on the screw fits in a hole which is like a washer that has ball bearings behind it. Though it doesn't move, if that washer becomes damaged (dented) then this will affect how the arm is calibrated. This may be what has occurred. If this has happened I think you'll need a new arm setup beacuse it looks to me like the washer is fitted and then some sort of punch tool is used to stamp it in place by folding in some of the alloy that the arm is made from. (to see what I mean, remove one of the screws)

If needed I can take a pic to help explain, just I can't be stuffed ATM.

quote:

Originally posted by Robin Banks Are they new or seconds? Or did you just freight them for another reason? It could be that if they weren't packed correctly for transit(or if they are seconds, they were previously damaged) the part that the screw your referring to joins with, may be damaged. ie the point on the screw fits in a hole which is like a washer that has ball bearings behind it. Though it doesn't move, if that washer becomes damaged (dented) then this will affect how the arm is calibrated. This may be what has occurred. If this has happened I think you'll need a new arm setup beacuse it looks to me like the washer is fitted and then some sort of punch tool is used to stamp it in place by folding in some of the alloy that the arm is made from. (to see what I mean, remove one of the screws) If needed I can take a pic to help explain, just I can't be stuffed ATM.

Yeah, maybe I need a new arm setup. How much do those cost?

Hey Steve,

I couldn't tell you how much you'd be lookin at as I've never done it myself. Go to panasonic home page and look up a service tech in your area. Tell them what you need and get a quote. can check 1200s.com for an idea tho I have found them not to be cost effective.
Before you delve in tho, check that that is your problem be dismantling the arm first (if you can). Just don't mess up, it's a bit complex if you've not done it before. Basic soldering and some organisation will help no end. (ie make notes on your removal)