Alignment tool for SME V + Shelter

I use the Mint-LP and think it's a brilliant tool. It allows a precision of setup that I don't think the Feickert's more conventional grid alignment method could match.

However, as you no doubt realise, the SME V cannot be adjusted for effective length because of it's unslotted headshell mounts. Thus an arc protractor such as the Mint-LP will be limited to cartridges with the same mount to stylus tip dimension for which the specific arc is drawn.

The Feickert on the other hand has more universal application (assuming one has an arm where the pivot point can be precisely located).
If you have (or plan to have) a number of cartridges of varying mount-stylus distances the Mint-LP approach would be impractical with the SME.

IMO, if you plan to keep the SME for a while, the sonic worth of the Mint-lp's precision alignment could well justify getting another template made (should that be necessary for your next cartridge).

Nsgarch,
the SME sliding base will provide overhang adjustment - but the effective length of the arm is fixed depending on the stylus to mounting distance of the particular cartridge. The base moves the whole arm, it can't adjust the length.

The stylus to mounting distance of cartridges can vary by several mm, meaning that the arc made by the stylus will differ slightly. Mint-LP tractors are made for a specific effective length (hence fixed arc).

A variation in effective length of the SME (by using a cartridge with different stylus/mounting distance) could make it impossible to align the outer points of the arc printed on the MintLp tractor. I'm not sure what the sonic consequences of this would be, but alignment accuracy would be compromised.
BTW, I'm happy to be proved wrong if anyone wants to jump in(?).

Nsgarch, you said:

"I understand your point, although I think "several mm" variation may be an exaggeration, especially with today's cartridges."

The two cartridges I use currently have a marked difference in the mounting position on my Graham arm. The Denon 103R sits pretty much mid-way in the slots (probably conforms to standard), but the Ortofon Jubilee sits quite close to the back of the slot. About 2mm difference, maybe more.

When Yip goes to such trouble to ascertain the *exact* diameter of individual turntable spindles (see post above) - you would be throwing away a lot of precision by not accounting for this type of cartridge variation when using the SME.

Of course, depending on the cartridges used, this may not be an issue.

Nsgarch, there is no need to try to 'sell' the SME-V's design to me - I owned that arm for two years myself back in 1989-91. In '91 I replaced it with the Graham 1.5T which I found sonically superior and allowed precise and repeatable adjustments of all parameters (I now have the Phantom 2).

BTW, I'm not putting down the SME - it remains a very fine tonearm. However, none of what you say changes any of the facts regarding effective length that I mentioned above and how that will effect a fixed arc tractor. And yes, the problem is real, as demonstrated by the cartridges I mentioned above.

I think that's something the OP should be aware of, nothing more.