Two things might solve the problem.
1. look for a boulder stuck in the groove where the problem occurs.
a. spin platter slowly, watch the position relative of the paper label to help you find it.
b. alcohol wipe: get that bolder out of there. play, problem gone?
2. . your arm/cartridge’s setup.
all must be precisely done
a. TT level (check at platter, AND check at base of arm (verify arm is mounted level with the deck)
b. remove any anti-skate force, (last thing to do)
c. cartridge/stylus tip: set overhang (for that arm, _____? MM in front of spindle).
d. Null points (2). (for that arm). Look down from above, see the cartridge body relative to the null point lines. Look sideways, position of the arm/cartridge the stylus tip at the indicated line. Adjust the cartridge body in the headshell, so that it’s body is parallel to the lines at both null point lines. (i.e. twist cartridge left or right in the headshell). (do not move cartridge forward or back, i.e. do not alter the overhang, double check the overhang).
c. arm height. remove any tracking force, use big weight to level the arm when in playing position. Note, the cartridge/arm will be very slightly up when cue lever is down, arm floating. the arm should be parallel to the lp when the and stylus is in the groove.
d. set tracking force. use digital stylus force meter to get the tracking force in the middle of the range specified by the cartridge maker. LP off the TT, the scales are the thickness of an LP.
e. Azimuth, viewed from the front.
lp off, a mirror the thickness of an lp, placed below the stylus. ANY deviation from ’straight’ will be reflected ’opposite’ in the mirror, (easier to see). adjust so that there is no off vertical.
IF not straight, solutions:
1. shims above one side of the cartridge
2. some play when the removable headshell is tightened.
3. arm has a set screw at the headshell mount: loosen, rotate to straight, tighten
4. buy a headshell with azimuth adjustment, like ’Pat’s adjustable azimuth on ebay.
By hook or crook, azimuth is correct.
f. balance the arm: use the big weight to balance the arm, lever down. (arm very slightly up, will drop down to level when lowered onto the LP.
g, add tracking force. set in the middle of the maker’s range for that cartridge.
i.e. maker says: 1.25 tp 1.75, set at 1.5 gm
Now the arm should be parallel when the stylus is in the groove.
h. last: anti-skate force.
1. spin the platter when on a blank disc with no grooves, it should naturally ’skate’ into the center. this is what anti-skate’s opposite force will eliminate.
Generally the anti-skate needs to be equal to the tracking force. You cannot trust the anti-skate dials. Add some anti-skate force, spin the platter, watch, add more/less force until the arm does not pull in or pull out. spin a few times, adjust as needed.
DONE!