Need Help With Setting Stylus Force

[FreddieFerric]

A while back I purchased the rather inexpensive Shure Stylus Force Gauge which is basically of the balance beam type. I have no reason to doubt its accuracy, but now I'm confused on how to use it.

In short, I took the gauge out today to re-measure to force on my Shure cartridge, just to check to make certain that nothing has changed since I first set it up back in January.

Here's the problem: The instructions say to place the gauge on the TT platter. It then goes on to say that, if extra stability is needed, then place an LP on the platter and then place the gauge on top of the LP. The photo that came with the gauge actually shows it sitting on top of a Shure test record. Problem is that when I set the force to 1.25 grams while the gauge is sitting on an LP, then the gauge doesn't even register any weight when measured without the LP on the platter.

Obviously the instructions suck big time as setting the force one way results in a far different weight when measured the other way.

Anyone have a good handle on which is actually the correct way to do this?

[naturephoto1]

Fred,

I will let others such as Rich Teer or John guide you through this. But, this question should be posted in the vinyl and old school music portion of the site.

Rich

[Big Daddy]

I have never used the Shure Stylus Tracking Force Gauge. I can't be too specific.

After you put the LP on the platter, are you setting the anti-skating control to zero?

Try it again without an LP and see what happens.

I included the instructions manual for other members to contribute.

Instruction Manual: http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups...o_sfg-2_ug.pdf

Shure1.jpg

The Shure Model SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge is a highly accurate beam balance that is designed for measuring stylus tracking forces from 0.5 to 3.0 grams in .05 gram increments. Its rolling bearing pin pivots are engineered for minimal friction. Each SFG-2 Tracking Force Gauge is factory calibrated.

Instructions for use:
1. Ensure that your turntable is on a level surface and that its
platter is level.
2. Place the SFG-2 on your turntable platter so that the turn-table spindle fits into the vee notch of the SFG-2, as pictured above. For better stability, you may instead place the SFG-2 on top of an LP record. Temporarily set anti-skating controls on your turntable or tonearm to zero.
3. Position the sliding weight on the SFG-2 at the tracking force that you would like to set for your tonearm (measured in
grams). For forces over 1.50 grams, set the weight to half the desired force.
4. Carefully lower the tonearm and cartridge so that the stylus rests in one of the grooves on the lever arm. If you dialed in the force desired, use the groove labelled “TIMES 1"; If you dialed in half the desired force, use the “TIMES 2" groove, as illustrated below.

Shure2.jpg


Shure3.jpg

5. Carefully lift the stylus out of the groove and adjust your tonearm's counterweight to reduce or increase the tracking force as necessary. Adjust the tracking force until the white pointers, visible in the mirror, are edge to edge.
6. When finished, reset any anti-skate adjustments according to your tonearm or turntable manufacturer's instructions.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

Problem is that when I set the force to 1.25 grams while the gauge is sitting on an LP, then the gauge doesn't even register any weight when measured without the LP on the platter.

Big Daddy has posted an excellent response, but 1.25g seems quite low to me. From where did you get this figure for your tracking force?

Funnily enough, I recently gave away my Shure stylus guage. I use a more accurate digital one, so I gave it to a friend who is just getting into vinyl. Apparently, he caught the bug off me, so it was the least I could do. :-)

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thanks Big Daddy for posting that, you saved me the effort. The instructions in my opinion are quite clear and I don't understand the confusion or issue that Fred is having.

I do have 2 questions for you Fred.

1. Did you use the proper TIMES 1 groove (outer groove as indicated in the picture).

2. Did you adjust the ANTI-SKATE before AND after, as indicated in points # 2 and #6.

Please recheck everything and follow the instructions to the letter.

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by richteer

Big Daddy has posted an excellent response, but 1.25g seems quite low to me. From where did you get this figure for your tracking force?

Funnily enough, I recently gave away my Shure stylus guage. I use a more accurate digital one, so I gave it to a friend who is just getting into vinyl. Apparently, he caught the bug off me, so it was the least I could do. :-)

Hi Rich,

1.25g does sound rather light...I've always set mine between 1.5 to 1.75.

I would like to help Fred, but I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

John

[FreddieFerric]

First off, thanks for all the replies.

I did in fact set the anti-skate control to zero, just like the instructions say to do. (FWIW, the tonearm is adjusted according to the Technics owners manual, so I'm satisfied that there are no issues as far as it's concerned).

I have a Shure M97xE mounted to the stock Technics headshell. I've used the overhang gauge to properly mount it, and have used the protractor that came with the cartridge to verify proper alignment.

The weight of 1.25 grams is what is listed as optimal in the Shure cartridge instructions. 1.50 grams is the max and 0.75 grams is the min. I set the stylus force at the Times 1 setting.

I was just wondering if anyone experienced a similar variation that results from setting it up with the gauge sitting directly on the platter versus sitting on top of an LP (as is shown in the pictures that Big Daddy posted).

I guess my question is, what's the right way to do it? Right now I opted for setting the force by placing the gauge on the platter without the LP.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by richteer

Big Daddy has posted an excellent response, but 1.25g seems quite low to me. From where did you get this figure for your tracking force?

Funnily enough, I recently gave away my Shure stylus guage. I use a more accurate digital one, so I gave it to a friend who is just getting into vinyl. Apparently, he caught the bug off me, so it was the least I could do. :-)

Infectious isn't it?

Rich

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Rich,

1.25g does sound rather light...I've always set mine between 1.5 to 1.75.

I would like to help Fred, but I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

John

John,

Yes it does seem too light. Even my new Soundsmith Strain Gauge Cartridge is supposed to normally be set at between 1.6 and 1.9 g for most users but up to 2.5 g. We have mine set at I think around 1.73 or 1.75 g as half way between the normal reported range.

Rich

[richteer]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

First off, thanks for all the replies.

I did in fact set the anti-skate control to zero, just like the instructions say to do. (FWIW, the tonearm is adjusted according to the Technics owners manual, so I'm satisfied that there are no issues as far as it's concerned).

I have a Shure M97xE mounted to the stock Technics headshell. I've used the overhang gauge to properly mount it, and have used the protractor that came with the cartridge to verify proper alignment.

The weight of 1.25 grams is what is listed as optimal in the Shure cartridge instructions. 1.50 grams is the max and 0.75 grams is the min. I set the stylus force at the Times 1 setting.

I was just wondering if anyone experienced a similar variation that results from setting it up with the gauge sitting directly on the platter versus sitting on top of an LP (as is shown in the pictures that Big Daddy posted).

I guess my question is, what's the right way to do it? Right now I opted for setting the force by placing the gauge on the platter without the LP.

If the instructions list 1.25g as optimal, who am I to argue? :-)

As for your other issue, I'm not Shure--er, sure!--what's causing the difference in measured tracking weight. It's been a while since I last checked my VTF, but I'm pretty sure I also do it without a record on the platter.

[FreddieFerric]

I found it curious that nearly everyone believed that a setting of 1.25 grams was a bit light. I decided to increase the VTF to about 1.45 grams or just a tick off the max. Maybe the extra weight will dig a little deeper into the groves. Thanks all for the suggestions.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

I found it curious that nearly everyone believed that a setting of 1.25 grams was a bit light. I decided to increase the VTF to about 1.45 grams or just a tick off the max. Maybe the extra weight will dig a little deeper into the groves. Thanks all for the suggestions.

Setting the VTF too low is a common vinyl-newbie error (I used to do it myself, many moons ago), in the mistaken belief that it'll reduce record wear. Quite the opposite, tracking at a too low a VTF will potentially increase stylus chatter (especially in highly modulated passages), thereby damaging the groove. Hence our reaction, but as I said earlier, if 1.25g is within the manufacturer's recommended VTF range, who am I to argue. (I too routinely start my VTF setting experiments in the middle of the recommended range.)

Let us know how you get on!