Pioneer PL-12 turntable set-up

I've got a turntable project going right now - a buddy of mine has an old Pioneer PL-12 turntable that he dug out of storage. So far, I've replaced the headshell (hooridly rewired, melt marks), cartridge and belt. I got the cartridge aligned (dug out the old Geo-Disc from MoFi), arm got balanced, tracking force and anti-skate set. I'm curious about the tonearm - on the backend near the weight on the left side is an arm that is set out about 2 inches, with a moveable weight with set screw to hold it in place. What does that little arm with the weight at the end do? Does it provide more weight if a very light cartridge is used? I didn't get the owner's manual, and it's been awhile since I've set up a turntable - anybody got some thoughts to help me out?

 

Maybe its anti skate force??

 

I wondered about that, but why would it have a screw for adjustment? There's a knob to set the antiskate to match the cartridge tracking force...

 

I found a site that said this is supposedly a lateral balance adjustment mechanism. I'm not sure what that is. Maybe it sets the angle of the tone arm?

 

I snuck over to Audio Asylum and found pretty much the same thing. The post mentioned that the weight is supposed to be centered (it was all the way out to the end on the one I have here). Where are alla the analog folks at???

 

BTW, Needle Doctor did a super job with my parts order - left the day I ordered (Tuesday), arrive here on Thursday...

 

Vinyl Engine has the manual for a PL-112D which has this type of weight, might be useful.....

http://www.vinylengine.com/library_turntables.shtml

I also stumbled across this interesting page, not exactly related to this thread, but thought i would post the link anyway - A 1970s teenagers bedroom...pretty cool teenager.....

http://www.rocketroberts.com/stereo/stereo.htm

 

For some reason I get a message that says "Empty referer - no referring page"....

 

Here's a picture of the ferschlugginah metal rod/counterweight gizmo - the weight on the one I'm working on is positioned where this one is in the picture below...

 

It comes up ok for me, try the homepage and go to library - turntables for it. You need to register first to download the acrobat file, i think it just gives a position distance for that weight, there is a pic that might help.

 

Probably fine as it is then.

 

Here is a link to another forum where I answered the same question once:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30055

 

Thanks!

 

brings back memories or my PL 15 that I had back in the mid 70's- very similar to the 12 the main difference if memory serves was that the 15 was a semi automatic. Dont recall seeing that metal gizmo though

 

that was my first real turntable as well! I loved that thing.

 

Pioneer.... they made some great Turntables

I was given a Pioneer PL-115D by a friend many years ago.
He worked at a recycling plant and pulled it out of a skip, it was still in working order, after a clean up and a new headshell and cartridge (Ortofon 510 MII) it sounded a treat. I still actually use this turntable to this day.
The friend that gave me turntable was sadly killed in a car accident 4 years ago and I just can't bring myself to change it for sentimental reasons.
On the PL-115D there is a small anti- skate adjustment knob just at the back of the arm It's marked from 0 to 4, I have this set at 2 and the deck performs well on the test disc that I have. There is also a very small bar that you can adjust on the rear of the arm. Happy listening.