Mint LP Best Tractor---HELP


Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the creation of this arc style protractor for a particular turntable/tonearm combination requires the accurate measurement of the distance between the platter spindle and the tonearm pivot. My question is, if this is true, exactly how precise does this measurement have to be?

Recently I ordered one of these, got it, and realigned my Dynavector 17D3, which had previously been aligned with the jig that came with my VPI Classic 1. When I listened after aligning the cartridge with the Mint lp protractor, I didn't like the sound I was getting, it just didn't sound "right", the VPI jig alignment sounded better to my ears. I had a sick feeling the spindle to pivot distance that I gave Yip was wrong, so I remeasured it with a better ruler than the one I had used originally (which, I'm embarrassed to admit, was 2 rulers carefully taped together because I didn't have a long enough one). Sure enough, I had given him a measurement that was 1mm short. Sh****t...

So I emailed Yip and told him the problem, and that I wanted to order a new one based on the correct measurement. To my surprise, his response was: "it may not be unfit. I urge you first to check all parameters before making a move.I would like to find out if the stylus tip falls on each and every point on the effective length curve as printed on the Tractor."

Huh?

I thought the whole point of this very well-loved Mint lp Best tractor was the extreme accuracy with which it aligns cartridges. So why would he tell me this if the measurement I gave him turns out to be 1mm off? Doesn't that specification have to be right on the money? Isn't that why I had to order a custom made one rather than one of the ready-made ones he already has in stock? Yes, when I line everything up correctly the stylus tip follows the curve faithfully, but why would that make everything right, wouldn't it do that wherever the arc was printed on the mirror?

I'm confused guys, please help me out here...
will_herrera
I'm also a bit confused why Yip asked you for the P-S distance as the Classic protractor is surely one of his most popular protractors. I ordered mine over two years ago, and at that time there was some confusion as to the P-S distance as VPI does not provide this information publicly. If I remember correctly, what I had differed by 1 mm from what Yip had. You'd think this would be settled by now.

Btw, the alignment with the Mint (at least mine) puts the stylus closer to the pivot than with the VPI jig. And I also ended up preferring the sound with the VPI jig.
I own three Mint tractors and the only specs. Yip needed were the (exact) diameter of the spindle on My Kuzma S.R. and the specs. of my Reed 2A. He already has all the data of the most TT's and tonearms. But the user need of course to install his tonearm at the exact right distance from the spindle. Otherwise the stylus will not follow the curve.
The first e-mail I received from Yip after I placed my order contained this instruction:

"Note the Mounting Distance [spindle to tonearm pivot] of your tonearm is 259mm, you have to ascertain this is correct at your setup as it affects performance. Effective Length adopted would be 274mm. This is factory specification. "

Note the two words "affects performance".

I was never asked for the spindle diameter, or any other relevant measurement. So, at the risk of repeating myself, I'm mystified why he would say that the protractor he made for me could still be correct, when it was based on an incorrect measurement (257mm, MY FAULT, it's actually 258mm), a measurement that he clearly states in the quote above "affects performance" and the only one he wanted to know!

His English seems fine to me, so I don't think that's an issue.
I think there are two distances for the Classic, depending on what model year you have. This may be why is asked you for the info. I used one for my current production Classic 1 and it worked great. I'm going on memory about the two distances, but it would be worth researching here.
Been there done that.

Harry's VPI alignment sounds better than either the baer or Loef alignment that Yip does.

Why, because Harry's alignment is his own and does not follow any B, L or S standard.

IMO, Don't waste your $$ on mint or any other alignment guage for VPI tables.