Record Clamps?

Hello Jay, If you're referring to the VPI Type Threaded Clamp, the 2 models (actually 3 if you count the least expensive Jr version Clamp) that VPI make, are two piece, but conjoined, so that when you tighten the Clamp to LP, the bottom portion remains motionless against the Label, thus never causing any marring of the Label, at least none that I ever noticed, or had a problem with.

And as you might know, VPI as well makes a Heavyweight Clamp, which I assume is not threaded.

There's of course other companies, one new one that I've recently noticed, called ttweights.com. Thier VPI Style Clamps appear to me, to be one solid piece of metal, and I can imagine, that yes, while Clamping a one solid piece Clamp down upon the LP, that there's that possibility of Label marring. Only ttweight's Collet Style Clamp appears to be a two piece affair.

TTweights.com also appear to make a number of Clamps/Weights with no threads, probably somewhat similar to the VPI Heavyweight, but possibly not quite as dished on it's underside? They look very nice, and are not really that expensive. Hope this helps. Mark

Jay, I'm not intimately familiar with your Turntable, and its Spindle, is it 1/4"-20 Threaded as the VPI is?

In actuality, the VPI Threaded Clamps probably don't fully contact the entire Label Area either, as they are considerably dished, because of the design priciple, that VPI uses a Rubber Washer on the Spindle, and has recessed the Platter for the Label. This when clamping down, the entire underside Label Area drops into the Platter Recess, and by proper clamping, with just the right amount of tension (per given LP) the entire underside of LP will completely. and properly couple to the Platter. The exception being, a LP with a odd-severe Lip Warp, and this was no doubt (one of the reasons) why Harry came along with the Periphery Clamp.

As ttweights I think mentions, and perhaps others, that they try to engineer thier non threaded weights to be most effective in coupling an LP to Platter, but this I feel is a very tough thing to do, to find one single non-clampable Weight that will properly work for all LPs due to variable warpage, and variable record weight (140g-180g-200g).

Collet Style, like the Michell might work fine, but there's the possibility (I'm not saying the Michell will, I'm not sure?) of marring-scratching the Spindle itself? Mark

One advantage of clamps not mentioned, is that all of us do not possess a Record collection with all absolutely flat examples. Thinking back 20-30 years ago to my "clampless days", and watching a tonearm "bob' up, and down like a roller coaster surely didn't do much for visual impact, and certainly didn't benefit the sound sonically.

The clamp will lessen dishing, or minor warpage. The problem I see with threadless clamps, is not allowing adjustability in clamping force, making it then a "one clamp works for all", but this usually doesn't work out optimally, and for sure, heavier won't necessarily be better in this regard.

I would asume from a mechanical standpoint, and no soubt a sonic one as well, the lessening of Tonearm-Stylus deviation in the vertical plane (if is this the correct term?), and the flatter the record face is (lessening dishing-cupping of surface) has to be an advantage, for both Stylus-Cantilever, and the LP Groove as well. Mark