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Can I use a Pioneer headshell on a Technics table?

dodog

dodog

Addicted Member
Sorry if this has been asked and answered before. Please point me to other threads if you know of any (I was unsure how to "ask" this question in the search function).

I have a bayonet-mount Pioneer headshell that I'd like to use on my technics table (both s-arm). Will I encounter any problems? The headshell fits/locks with the collar and, as long as I use the correct wiring, I would think things would be OK. I've been very wrong before.

Thanks in advance for any/all help.
 
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I believe it would be fine if as you say it is the same mount and goes on easily and locks so that there is no play. You would have to re-balance the tonearm as the headshells would not likely weigh the same and also realign the cartridge in the headshell. Those are both things that you would do in any case if you just changed a crartridge. I used a Pioneer headshell on my Yamaha TT for a spell and it worked just fine.
 
That's what I needed to hear, thanks guys. Oh, and the smiley put me at ease!

And, yes, other than the width of the shell, overall, they are pretty much the same. I think my "old" Technics shell is about the same as the Pioneer. The "new" shell is much sleeker looking though.
 
If you use Technics alignment, you're probably okay. If you use Baerwald you'll run out of slot room.
 
I'm gonna dig up my old thread to post some results. Perhaps I should have listened to Howard in the first place....

I mounted a Sumiko Blue Point no. 2 on the Pioneer headshell and went to work listening. I *thought* I had everything aligned (using the Technics jig). But, over time, something seemed a bit off. Fricatives would be a bit sharp and, at times, sibilance was present (as an example, Gordon Gano's voice on "Violent Femmes" was hissy and sharp). So, with the day off today, I took the headshell off and re-examined the setup. Well, the cart was shoved as far as it could go and it ended up still being a few (2-3?) mm off. Lesson being, don't align at night, with poor lighting. I took the spare "old" Technics headshell (the kind with the bottom mounts to a mount plate, which is slid forward/backward via one top screw) with my AT95HE off my other table, only to find out that that shell is to short as well. Finally, I decided to take my "new" Technics shell with the AT440 mounted (the kind with a long slots on each side) and found that, not only did I now have room, I probably have another cm or so of spare. With the (what I hope to be) correct alignment, I pooped the cart back on and life was MUCH better.

So, to summarize the novel above, the Pioneer shell does indeed work, but may not have enough play for all carts.
 
Same here, have had both Pioneer and Technics tables and swapped head shells with no issues.
 
hakaplan said:
No, not true. Pioneer uses 49mm.
Click to expand...

I'm glad that someone started this thread as I just bought a Technics SL-1360 changer and was wondering the same thing as the OP. My headshells are aligned for my Pioneer PL-560 and Akai AP-307. I think that their overhang is the same. Their overhang is slightly less on the 52mm gauge. About 3mm just like you said hakaplan. I was hoping to use the same headshells with my Technics, but it appears that this may not work out. I have a copy somewhere, but can't remember what protractor that I used for the Akai and Pioneer. Sure is nice to use the Technics overhang gauge rather than a protractor. I wonder if it would work ok if I split the difference of the distance and mount the cartridges with an overhang of 50.5mm. This, however wouldn't be precisely accurate for either turntable. I really don't know. Just wondering.:scratch2:
 
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The Akai turntable mat has a circle around the spindle that gives you the proper overhang distance. :thmbsp:
 
AAA3330 said:
I'm glad that someone started this thread as I just bought a Technics SL-1360 changer and was wondering the same thing as the OP. My headshells are aligned for my Pioneer PL-560 and Akai AP-307. I think that their overhang is the same. Their overhang is slightly less on the 52mm gauge. About 3mm just like you said hakaplan. I was hoping to use the same headshells with my Technics, but it appears that this may not work out. I have a copy somewhere, but can't remember what protractor that I used for the Akai and Pioneer. Sure is nice to use the Technics overhang gauge rather than a protractor. I wonder if it would work ok if I split the difference of the distance and mount the cartridges with an overhang of 50.5mm. This, however wouldn't be precisely accurate for either turntable. I really don't know. Just wondering.:scratch2:
Click to expand...
No, don't split the difference. You will end up with distortion. I don't know about the Akai, but you don't need a protractor with the Pioneer. Just measure 49mm and keep the cartridge square in the headshell.
 
The Akai is 49mm on the overhang gauge, according to my measurement.
Until it is verified, use the official Akai method. :D
 
hakaplan said:
No, don't split the difference. You will end up with distortion.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's what I figured. I'll just set up a few headshells and cartridges with the 52mm overhang for the Technics. Most of my serious listening will still be done with the Pioneer and Akai. I'll mostly use the Technics for stacking 45's and less valued Lp's.

I do remember reading about using the mat for the overhang on the Akai. Somehow it slipped my mind.:twak: I'm not absolutely sure, but pretty sure that it's overhang is the same as the Pioneer(49 mm). I'll have to look into that.
 
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