Alphason 100S tonearm tracking force adjustment

the two related websites...vinyl engine and hifiengine, are VERY sensitive to ad blockers (Ad Blocker Plus [ABP] is the only real 'true and free' ad-blocker) and 'privacy badger' (GREAT program!).

to use either website, at all...adblockers must be disabled.

In addition to following the instructions given you by Dover and frogman, you would be well advised to purchase any one of the many digital VTF gauges  that are now available online. There is no need to spend a lot of money on one, but choose any one of them that places the weighing pan in the plane of a typical LP surface. The reason I advise making this purchase is that most often the gauge marks on a counter weight are approximate at best in their accuracy.

dover -- been there. Tried that twice. Each time they lose my identity and request that I sign up for them again. Yeah, the digital age intrudes on the analog age. Either that or they’re on to me.

You can download a copy of the manual from The Vinyl Engine

By cracky, did I just find the tiny allen screw on the side of the counterweight that, when loosened, might allow me to adjust the force? Do I dare to eat a peach?

Yes, that’s the thimble.  

Thanks. I have yet to give it a go because it's not absolutely 100% clear what the thimble exactly is. Is it the black end-piece that fastens the counterweight to the arm? An educated guess at best. Is there a Brit on this website who might give me a clue? I promise I won't bring up the old cliche about us being divided by the same language!

Nice arm.  Used it many moons ago with a Monster Alpha2.

From the manual:

TRACKING ADJUSTMENT

Screw out the counterbalance thimble until the black ring is just visible.  Fit the counterweight to the thimble and adjust until arm is balanced.  Tighten the counterweight locking screw.  Apply the tracking force by screwing in the counterweight/counterweight thimble.  Once complete turn provides 0.25g tracking force with the standard counterweight.

(*1)Tracking Force Per turn

(*2)Recommended Cartridge Mass

(*3)Max. Range of Cartridge Mass

Standard Counterweight (provided with arm)

 (*1)0.25g (*2)3-8g (*3)3-15g

Accessories:

Small Counterweight (*1)0.20g (*2)0-4g (*3)8-25g

Intermediate Counter (*1)0.30g (*2)8-13g (*3)8-25g

Large Counterweight (*1)0.40g (*2)12-20g (*3)12-30g