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Pioneer PL-41 questions

crackerkorean

crackerkorean

Striving for Polymathdom!
I have a PL-41 table that I am trying to get working properly. After taking a copper ring from underneath the platter and a few pennies from the speed selector its working kinda ok.

There is a long spindle that extends from the bottom of the platter and I am wonering by the off chance that it might be slightly bent (ever so slightly). The platter rubs on one part of the plinth ( I hope I am using the right terms). It plays just fine other than the rubbing.

Also when I let the needle down it moves quickly and bounces on the record before it settles. Is there anyway to slow the lowering down?

And lastly is this table any good? Where in the pioneer line up did this one fall?
 
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I am not a turntable expert so I will leave those comments to others. The PL-41 is a quality TT IMHO. Introduced in 1970 at 219 bucks. I have one and like the simple design and mechanics. The huge walnut base is also kinda purty.
 
Hmmm i dont know about this model usually the plater sits down onto a spindle. Perhaps where is sits into is adjustable somehow?
When you say its rubbing does the plater have a distinct wobble as it rotates or is it just slightly out of plain?? (SP?) I hope its the last one because if its wobbling then yes its bent.

As far as the cueing is concerned one of the pioneer guys can grab this but maybe the is no oil in the hydraulic dampened cueing? If it has it that is.
 
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Right next to the curved black tonearm rest that raises and lowers the tonearm is a small white "button" with "S--F" on it. (Slow-Fast). That turns and is the control for changing the speed at which the tonearm lowers.
 
I would imagine its just slightly out of plain. Would it be wrong to take some sand paper to the platter to get rid of the low spot?


I tried the s-f knob and it didnt change the speed at all. I noticed that it doenst have the stock head shell on it. Could it be to light and should I tape a penny on it and reset the weight. Unfortunetly I do not have a scale but I know that what ever setting I have the knob at the needle bounces reguardless.
 
crackerkorean said:
... Would it be wrong to take some sand paper to the platter to get rid of the low spot?
Click to expand...


OMG!! Don't do that!! The platter will be out of balance and you'll be SOL.

If the S-F control has no effect, you may need some repair.
 
I have played around with a PL-A35 and I get the feeling that it will alway look better than it sounds. I personally don't care for it but i don't know how it compares to your model. I believe they are from the same era though.
 
Keep looking there has GOT to be a reason its out of plain perhaps the plinth isnt sitting down right or the area where the spindle sits in is bent or something....I'm talking out of my hat because I dont know the table at all or even what it looks like but from experience if something aint right there is a reason and if you look long enough usually you will spot it. And yeah dont sand it! :(
 
Cracker I just recently picked up a PLA 35 and I'm guess in that someone misunderstood how the bearing worked on these. I think you'll find a 14 mm wrech will remove the nut that holds this shaft/bearing in place. The first thing to do is to remove the shaft/bearing and remove the phillips head screw that holds the silver shaft inside the bronze bearing. You may need some WD40 if its stuck. These is a single ball bearing resting in the bottom of the bornze bearing be careful not to loose it. If after cleaning and reassembling this part it should spin freely. If it does then my guess is someone over tightened the 14 mm nut that hold this shaft to the TT and bent the table its self. It is possible you platter is warped but this could be tested on a flat surface. Hope this helps
 
PL-41 speed

You aren't hearing things, these tables do run fast.

I ground down the drive pully with a small file while the motor was running (like a lathe).

Checked speed with a strobe disc.
 
As with all belt-driven tables, the belts eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. If you replace the original belt with a belt that is not the correct width and thickness, the speed will be incorrect.

Grinding or filing down the drive pulley will destroy the turntable's ability to turn at the correct speed with a correctly sized belt.
 
Agree that this is a meaure that can't be undone, (destroy is little strong) but this was done after replacing belt with new, correct replacemnt, and still having the problem.

As I said, these tables are known for running fast.
 
Fisherdude said:
Right next to the curved black tonearm rest that raises and lowers the tonearm is a small white "button" with "S--F" on it. (Slow-Fast). That turns and is the control for changing the speed at which the tonearm lowers.
Click to expand...

and, if that button does nothing to slow the arm in the S position, you may need a few drops of damping fluid(others are more expert as to the correct type, I will leave that to them), in the tube holding the lift for the tonearm rest.
 
also, the PL-41 is a decent, very solid 'table. I am a little leery of the statement that they are "known for running fast", as I have read that exactly twice myself, both from the same source. Not doubting, but I know, with a fresh belt installed, mine is pretty close to where it is supposed to be on both 33 and 45. I hope you get things to where you can enjoy your new-to-you
turntable!!:music:
 
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