2. analog
  3. 1042004287

Shure Stylus Gauge

As some of you may know I have had some questons about the use of the Shure SFG-2 Gauge. Well at the risk of being extremely annoying here is one more:

I have noticed that when I place the Gauge on a record instead of the platter mat, the VTF reading on the gauge is much more higher. (ie. on the mat the reading is 1.5 grams, on the record the reading is 2.5 grams, then if I place it on the platter without the mat the reading is much lower roughly around 1 gram). The Shure instructions read "for better stability, place the gauge on a record" when I do this it seems to balance okay, then if I push the lever down (stylus still on lever groove) the tonearm and lever stay down and won't balance back up. It just lies against the record. Weird since it balanced before I pushed the lever. Could there be something wrong with my RB300 arm, I just had it rewired and VTF spring removed, or the guage itself?

Thanks,
Frustrated.
mrcs99e0
mrcs99e0 OP
13 posts
 
How can I tell if it is the arm bearing. Is there a test I can do? When I set the counter weight to float the arm, it seems to float, and bob up and down, side to side without hesitation at all.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
the bearings might do ok but the pivoting position plays the vast role in this situation. the cartridge weight oght to be the same whether you place mat record or none of these. certainly the readings on the soft mat might not be pricese anywhay.
mrcs99e0 OP
13 posts
 
After talking to a few dealers, I'm almost sure that you are suppose to get different readings if you raise the surface height of the platter (i.e. record V.S mat). If you think about it, it only makes sense. As you raise the the gauge the arm rises too creating incorrect VTA which would cause incorrect VTF. Does this make sense to anybody or am I just totally in the wrong.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
i've just re-measured on my turntable(where i don't use any mat) and the reading are barely different that the difference cannot be captured by the Shure gauge meaning less than one tenth fraction of the gramm.
shasta
155 posts
 
I've never tested the diffences; I measure on a record and Let It Be. I have used a touch of lube on the pivot pins of the Shure to eliminate bearing stiction.
More to discover