Jelco VTA on the fly

Hello Gents.
Now the Easy VTA for the GrooveMaster tonearm.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303609629512
Regards
Antonio

@noromance 

I would probably adjust my VTA a little more often, but I typically don't start listening until well-into or after my first glass of wine.  That impairs my short-term memory and changes my sensitivity to high frequency.  It may also impair my short term memory and change my sensitivity to high frequency (I'm past my first glass of wine.   ;-)  ).

I perform a turntable "tune up" from time to time.  That includes oil change and lube, belt check,  as well as VTA adjustment. 

And I have a Lyra Skala waiting for me to up the courage and sobriety to mount it onto a headshell and onto the arm.  That will happen right after the next tune up so I an A / B with the current Fraankencartridge Lyra Clavis Da Capo / Soundsmith "rebuild."  That will require fine tuning of the VTA.

Hi @bpoletti Good feedback. I gotta say, I'd want to tweak VTA a lot more than every 6 months. If it was super smooth like it looks in their demo, I'd do it with every record!

I have a recently purchased an Easy VTA base, and it’s in use with a TK-850L (Mk 1) arm. Yes, it binds and is noisey when changing VTA. The screw that locks down the arm pillar seems to take the pillar slightly out of vertical which causes the biding against the EASY VTA base pillar hole which generates noise. A touch of lubricant on the pillar helped a little but did not completely fix the problem.

Try loosening the pillar retention screw and then adjusting the VTA. Once everything is adjusted and you have attained the VTA you want, then tighten the screws.  Also, make sure the VTA locking screw in the base (next to the arm board) is loose or it will bind or lock the pillar from moving.  That can irreparably damage the pillar.   

In spite of the problem, I would still recommend the Easy VTA base. It is solid and created tight coupling to the arm board. No sonic signature I can detect. I pretty much set the VTA and forget. Might check it every 6 months to a year.

Still thousand's of Jelco's around that will need a nice Easy VTA on the fly. I'm positive that someone will acquire Jelco and keep that legendary brand alive.

Not any more. Jelco closed it's doors and is going out of business.

Much better option I'm sure.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303172626703

@trknomo Good to hear. The jury seems to be out on this. I wish there was a good review available. 

I’ve had mine for quite some time with no issues. First had it on my 750l and now on my 850l with zero issues. I purchased mine from the eBay seller from Great Britain. Has been flawless and would by another.

I agree mines a little sticky and it seems to be the alignment of either the rod or where the micrometer goes into bearing.
Also, the threads on my knurled set screw were very poorly cut and seller says “I’ll pass it on to manufacture” he didn’t care about my concerns one bit -I was just a sale to him.
lost business as I have 2 other arms that are compatible with the easy vta...... 

Yeah... Check out the one I was alluding to initially. 

It works OK for now, but it is not the vta on the fly I was looking for! 

You are correct. Yes, I've seen it. It looks somewhat cumbersome. your experience crosses it off my list! Let's know if you get it working smoothly.

The version I have is advertised on the Jelco site as Jelco model
 BA-1.   I believe it is made by Jelco. 

Note that this is not a Jelco product but a third party accessory.  I have heard from a reliable contact about the sticking and also loud noise through the arm when adjusting on the fly. I have four Jelco arms.