Technics SL-1210G Headshells, Record Weights, and Mats

@recordbore

https://www.analogmatters.com/shop/p/origin-live-strata-multi-layer-platter-mat

I forgot to mention that Origin offers their mats in a special version for Technics TTs, that it slightly smaller in diameter than their standard mats.  I prefer their standard mat.  Either works fine, the sound is identical, they are the same price.  I bought one of each size, one for my GAE and one for my VPI HW-40, so I was able to compare them.  Trust me on this and buy their standard size mat.  

Also, I probably should explain that the head shell thing is quite important.  The OEM head shell that came with my GAE weighs ~7.5 grams, the ones that I have been using for years (Jelco) weigh ~12.0 grams.  That small difference required use of an extra counter weight on the back of the tonearm to balance any of the cartridges that I mounted.  The combination of the extra head shell weight and the extra counter weight resulted in a resonance that measured in excess if 20 Hz in both lateral and vertical planes.  By comparison, substituting the OEM head shell eliminated the need for the counter weight and the resonance dropped to just over 8 Hz for an Ortofon 2M Black LVB.  Bob's your uncle, better tracking and better sound were the result.

@armstrod. Thanks but that company is in England so would cost about $200 more than finding one here in the US.  Hopefully one will show up here without the tariffs tacked on.