Turntable 101: Counterweight

Here's a quick tutorial on setting up the counterweight on your turntable.

[@chrischross4116]

Thanks! Really useful video

[@johnnypool2206]

Rock Your BaBy....George McCrea...great song!!!

[@Jus_G]

Does the PLX 500 and technics have the same counterweight? I lost mine of my PLX 500

[@djpaul146]

Hi my counterweight dial is looos I mean it spins to easy

[@juddery]

Hi djpaul146, I've been experiencing the same issue and have posted above how I managed to work a basic fix. It's not that proper way, because that would require a full tonearm rebuild, but it seems to have worked for me. No idea how long it will last, but it might help you too, if you haven't already sorted it.

[@DJFixNYC]

Hi, There are usually two reasons for the counterweight spinning too easily: 1. the small leaf spring, which indexes the channel on the inner barrel of the counterweight, needs to be adjusted, or 2. the viscous grease inside the barrel of the counterweight has lost its sticky-ness, or has been inadvertently cleaned off.

[@Ezekael2517]

Very simple and helpful, thanks for the tips

[@dca24100]

What about setting the anti skating dial?

[@Yuki-P]

Hi. We just bought our firs turn table from Angels Horn but missing counterweights. We tried to reach out but no response. We need to know where and what we are supposed to purchase to make it work. Do you have any advice? Cartridge that came with is AT3600L.

[@djfix8731]

Seems like something you will have to ask the company who made your turntable, as we do not have info on that brand.

[@ArthurNeuman]

This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@Kerry234]

My record player is playing so fast it sounds like Alvin and the chipmunks, what am I doing wrong?

[@DJFixNYC]

Hi Derek. Is it a technics 1200? If so, it's likely nothing you are doing wrong. There are few issues which can cause the platter to spin too fast. If you are in the neighborhood, bring it by and we'll take a look! If not, you would need to bring it to a good repair shop since diagnosing this issue might take some know-how from a good tech. Good luck!

[@Marcel177]

thx

[@gowater5777]

nice video dude! by the way what is the name of that song?

[@DJFixNYC]

thanks! song: Rock Your Baby - George McCrae kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZXSXo2ffdaVotU

[@juddery]

Nice explanation of why the tracking force is important, not just how to set it. Kudos! Quick question regarding the sl1200 counterweight though. Is it meant to have quite precise movement when turning, or is it meant to be a bit sloppy and imprecise? I've just bought a great condition sl1210mk2, but I'm struggling to get the tracking force set correctly because the counterweight is a bit sloppy and can be moved forward or back by 3 or possibly 4 mm without turning it, so the slightest accidental knock and the tracking force is way out again. Is that normal? I'm having a hard time believing that it should be so sloppy on a technics, but only have experience of budget decks previously.

[@DJFixNYC]

Thanks! The counterweight should be relatively stable once it's set in place. There is normally a thin coating of viscous grease lining the inner surface of the counterweight which helps keep it in place. Here at the shop we often see decks where the lube has either deteriorated over time, or has been wiped off. You might try applying something like axel grease and see if that helps. There is also a small brass tension spring near the back of the tonearm tube, on the bottom, which engages with the groove on the inside of the counterweight. Sometimes it needs a little rejuvenation. By using a very small screwdriver or pick, it can be gently be bent to engage the counterweight a little better. Good luck!

[@juddery]

@@DJFixNYC Thanks for the reply. As it happens, late last night, I actually managed to work out what was wrong and fix it. I'd found a post that mention the brass/ copper spring plate, (which has a bump that sits in the counterweight thread grooves) and the rubber block that sits underneath it, to keep the spring plate protruding sufficiently. From what I read, the rubber block perishes and shrinks/ becomes compressed over time and no longer does its job. I came to the same conclusion you did regarding the tiny screw driver. I managed to use a tiny flat bladed driver to slightly prise out the spring clip and then slid a thin piece of cardboard under it, to prevent the spring plate from pushing in too far. The counterweight now threads on nice and tightly, with no unwanted movement at all. I'm glad you mentioned grease though, because I was wondering about applying some, because I feel it should be smoother and wasn't if I should. Now I have my answer. 😁