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Questions on Overhang/Cartridge Alignment using Dr Feikert Protractor on VPI Classic 3

So I recently bought a used VPI Classic 3 that came with a low hours Soundsmith Zephyr 2 cartridge.

I wanted to make setup as accurate as possible so I bought the Dr Feikert Protractor.
I first make sure that the Spindle to Pivot length was correct which I read online was supposed to be 258mm.

See pic below.


This was measured by taking off the tonearm and measuring exactly from the spindle to the bare sharp point of the unipivot point.
After that was done I mounted the cartridge to the arm and got the step 1 in perfect bullseye.



Step 2 however is where things get off.   I'm coming up about 2 mm long on step 2.



Step 3 is also off as its about 1.25 mm short of the line.

Here is a shot showing approximately the location of all 3 points.



Any ideas on what I can do to fix this where it hits all 3.   I'm at a loss being that the Spindle to Pivot point is right on at the 258mm length which i was told is correct for the VPI Classic tables.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
newguru

Showing 5 responses by lewm

lewm
12,537 posts
 
I can’t say I agonize over it, so no.
lewm
12,537 posts
 
Chakster, AS is even more precise than the Feickert, if you want ultimate accuracy, and if you have the patience to use it as directed.  It's a real precision instrument.  If you want me to cite the many ways in which it is more precise (if used properly), I could do that at the risk of boring anyone else.  Maybe contact me privately. I admit I more often use my original version Feickert, especially when I am just interested in a short term audition of a cartridge. I don't think there are too many blind persons doing cartridge set-up.
lewm
12,537 posts
 
I have both a Feickert (the original version) and an Acoustic Sounds protractor.  (I own the more complex predecessor to the SMARTractor; I'd rather have the latter, but I ain't spending another $600 to acquire it.)  Both are fine tools for the job.  The AS is probably capable of more precision than the Feickert, but the Feickert takes about half the time to use in set-up.  Surely, it is unfair to say the Feickert is "vague", if you then tout the DB Systems.  But this is nothing for us to argue about.
lewm
12,537 posts
 
Agree that the Feickert is a great protractor but the instructions are poor, as per my mention that the markings on the spiral gauges, to be used to set effective length, are in terms of P2S distance.  It's easy to keep that in mind, if you do an alignment every day or even once a week.  Not so easy if you use it once a year.
lewm
12,537 posts
 
Would you mind saying what are steps 2 and 3, for the benefit of those of us who (1) don't want to do a net search right now, or (2) don't own a Feickert protractor, or (3) do own one (like me) but don't care to go dig it up to figure out what you are talking about when you mention steps 2 and 3.
One caveat: With the Feickert, the markings on the spiral scale are with respect to the pivot to spindle distance (P2S).  The stylus tip should rest on the correct P2S mark for your tonearm.  It can be confusing.  I own the older version of the Feickert, the one in white plastic with the fully circular template.  Maybe the later black one that is semi-circular is different.
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