Mint LP provides Stevenson Alignment


First, I happen to own and like a Mint LP protractor, but over the course of time it has become obvious to me that no one up to now has pointed out that it is providing the Stevenson alignment.  I have even read several self appointed  experts here argue vehemently that either Lofgren or Baerwald alignments are far superior to Stevenson, but then go on to equally strongly advocate the use of the Mint LP.  If ever there were an argument that alignment is somewhat over emphasized in our hobby, this is perhaps a good example of the truth of that thought.  Recently I bought a Feickert protractor, which is very easy to use and have tried all the alignments using it.  I can hear differences, but not always, certainly not on every track of every record, and honestly they are all good.  So don't get you pants in a bunch over this trivial issue.
billstevenson

Showing 4 responses by flatblackround

I level the platter. Level the tonearm. Overhang as best I can estimate.  Eyeball cantilever alignment at two null points. Then be careful with tracking force.  Adjust as necessary. Seems to work.   What is a protractor?  Lol
Eyeballing
yes tp the record surface.  A good perfectly flat record, selected by eyeballing.  The platter is already level determined by....you guessed it... a level.  If the cantilever is straight, as it should be, then a 90 degree angle should be achieved And can be verified with use of a small mirror.  Dial in by raising or lowering arm to change  stylus angle.   This is how I have done it for 40 years.  Careful listening to test albums tells me I can’t be that far off. Or maybe I just have poor  hearing.
Benjie and Raul
Thanks.  It is obvious that I side with “it doesn’t matter which protractor you use.”   Maybe I should look into this more.  Nah...I’ll just listen to music.

First off, I don’t claim ability to enlighten experts here.  I have enjoyed my records for a long time without  protractors like those mentioned in this thread.  The overhang distance is provided by the tonearm manufacturers.  I say estimate and eyeball because my ability to be precise in this regard is limited by hand coordination and failing eyesight.  I use machinist tools like small calipers to help. Once there, null points are determined with a simple paper printout hung on the spindle.  Perhaps this is a protractor, but I don’t know what type and I did not pay for it. These can be downloaded for free.  Final adjustment is eyeballing tangency of cantilever at the null points.  As noted earlier careful listening of test records tell me that I am close.