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New Pioneer Pl-41

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docsuess84

New Member
Hey guys, I wasn't planning on upgrading from my Technics Sl-B200 for a while but then I came across a 1969 Pioneer PL-41, and nobody was buying it from the record store. I got it for 100 bucks, and it's in great shape. The cartridge is already mounted, but I'm afraid to play it. I have no experience with standard mount turntables, and I know it's fully manual. Is there anything I should know about this turntable, anything that's touchy? I see the counterweight in the back of the tonearm is adjustable but I don't see anything resembling an anti-skate weight device I've seen described. Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
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Well, you really went from one end of the spectrum to the other. This turntable pre-dates anti-skate. The manual is over at vinylengine.com and explains exactly how to set it up. Hopefully it still has the original headshell, otherwise cartridge weights and alignment might be an issue. On the original headshell there is a mark that indicates where the stylus tip should be--you set it there while keeping the cartridge square. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the tip, Howard. I don't need to upgrade this right away, but when the time comes, is there a particular cartridge with a shibata stylus that would pair well with this turntable?
 
Hello
Don't forget to check the main bearing thrust pad ! every PL41 I have seen, this pad was beginning to break up. The original pad was a harder plastic and over the years seems to get very brittle.
I made new pads out of teflon sheet about 1/16 inch thick.
Delrin is also good for thrust pads, harder than teflon also.
Also make sure you add a few drops of oil in the motor oiling spouts, and clean the motor pulley.

bob
 
TJLitt said:
this subforum is becoming a haven for PL-41 owners!:thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Well I'm counting that as a good thing. I learn something new everytime one of us chimes in. For example....I didn't know there was a mark on the headshell for proper overhang. I will be checking that. Thanks Howard (can we just collectively enscribe 'Thanks Howard' on something big and expensive and prop it up in his front yard? It would save many members alot of keystrokes).
 
A few more things

Howard (or anybody) I'm looking my headshell dead-on and it appears cocked to the left. Any idea why someone would do that, or should I straighten it out. Also I checked the extra head shell for the marking you mentioned that shows where the cartridge goes and I can't seem to figure it out. Can you be more specific?
 
The manual shows what to do. You probably want to get another headshell, as the OEM Pioneer is an oddball.

docsuess84 said:
Howard (or anybody) I'm looking my headshell dead-on and it appears cocked to the left. Any idea why someone would do that, or should I straighten it out. Also I checked the extra head shell for the marking you mentioned that shows where the cartridge goes and I can't seem to figure it out. Can you be more specific?
Click to expand...
 
BMSulliv said:
What if the bearing is making a rather unpleasant noise when the platter rotates? Mine just started making a scratchy "shh-shh-shh" sound at a regular interval.
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Are you sure it's the bearing? Make sure the belt is riding evenly on the motor pulley, it should be centered.

Have you oiled that baby lately? If the bearing is going, somebody here fixed a PL-41 bearing by fitting a piece of Delrin into the bearing housing. I'll see if I can find it.
 
BMSulliv said:
What if the bearing is making a rather unpleasant noise when the platter rotates? Mine just started making a scratchy "shh-shh-shh" sound at a regular interval.
Click to expand...

Pull the aluminum cover off from where the speed change buttons are and check to make sure the belt isn't hitting the mechanism.
 
Tromatic said:
Are you sure it's the bearing? Make sure the belt is riding evenly on the motor pulley, it should be centered.

Have you oiled that baby lately? If the bearing is going, somebody here fixed a PL-41 bearing by fitting a piece of Delrin into the bearing housing. I'll see if I can find it.
Click to expand...

I've looked around and haven't found a consensus on what type/grade of oil to use. My manual doesn't list a specific type. I read about fitting the delrin in. Is this a complex operation? I'd rather not mess something up. Checking belt now.
 
docsuess84 said:
Howard (or anybody) I'm looking my headshell dead-on and it appears cocked to the left. Any idea why someone would do that, or should I straighten it out. Also I checked the extra head shell for the marking you mentioned that shows where the cartridge goes and I can't seem to figure it out. Can you be more specific?
Click to expand...

The PL-41 headshell will/can twist slightly from perfectly vertical. Just loosen the nut slightly, turn as desired to vertical, and retighten (while holding tonerarm to ensure you don't screw up the bearings). This actually comes in handy for cartridge cantilevers that aren't perfectly vertical. This procedure is noted on p.4 of the referenced manual (available at vinylengine).
 
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