Vinyl records are making a comeback, and for good reason.
There’s something special about the sound quality and tactile experience of playing a record that just can’t be replicated with digital music.
But to truly enjoy the full potential of your vinyl collection, you need to have your turntable set up correctly.
One crucial aspect of turntable setup is adjusting the phono cartridge overhang.
This can be a daunting task for beginners, but fear not!
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step, so you can get the most out of your vinyl listening experience.
So grab your favorite record and let’s get started!
How To Adjust Phono Cartridge Overhang
Before we dive into the process of adjusting phono cartridge overhang, it’s important to understand what it is and why it’s important.
Overhang is the distance between the stylus tip and the center of the turntable spindle. It’s a crucial aspect of cartridge alignment because it affects the tracking angle and ultimately, the sound quality.
To adjust phono cartridge overhang, you’ll need a two-point protractor, which has a dot for the stylus tip to rest on and a grid with lines running parallel to the sides and front of the cartridge.
Here are the steps to adjust phono cartridge overhang:
1. Loosen the cartridge mounting hardware just enough to allow forward and backward movement of the cartridge in the headshell.
2. Position the cartridge within the headshell so that the stylus tip rests on the protractor’s outer dot (the dot farthest from the center spindle).
3. Align the sides of the cartridge body to the lines on the grid which run parallel to its sides.
4. Carefully move the cartridge forward or backward (adjust overhang) within the headshell so that the sides remain parallel while the front of the cartridge becomes parallel to the lines on the grid that run across the cartridge’s front.
5. Once you’ve aligned the cartridge to the outer dot/grid, move the tonearm to the inner dot/grid and check the alignment there.
6. If the alignment is off on the inner dot/grid, adjust the overhang by moving the cartridge forward or backward until both grids are aligned.
7. Recheck alignment on both grids until they match.
8. Tighten mounting hardware until snug.
It’s important to note that measuring effective length may not be what is specified by manufacturers, and 14mm is a common manufacturer specification for overhang but may not be optimum.
Understanding Phono Cartridge Overhang
Phono cartridge overhang is a crucial aspect of cartridge alignment that affects the tracking angle and ultimately, the sound quality. Overhang is the distance between the stylus tip and the center of the turntable spindle. It’s important to meet the stylus overhang distance specified for a given turntable or tonearm. Stylus overhang makes up part of a tonearm’s effective length.
To measure phono cartridge overhang, you can use a dedicated overhang gauge that has markings in millimeters (mm). Some gauges are designed to be placed against the spindle, on the side opposite the tonearm pivot, while others are designed to be placed on the spindle like a record disc. If your particular tonearm does not swing far enough inward to reach the spindle, a headshell-type gauge is a good alternative. This gauge holds a removable type headshell/cartidge assembly, and the measurement used is taken from the headshell post shoulder to the stylus tip.
Once you have measured phono cartridge overhang, you can use a two-point protractor to adjust it. The protractor has a dot for the stylus tip to rest on and a grid with lines running parallel to the sides and front of the cartridge. To adjust phono cartridge overhang, you’ll need to loosen the cartridge mounting hardware just enough to allow forward and backward movement of the cartridge in the headshell. Then, position the cartridge within the headshell so that the stylus tip rests on the protractor’s outer dot (the dot farthest from the center spindle). Align the sides of the cartridge body to the lines on the grid which run parallel to its sides. Carefully move the cartridge forward or backward (adjust overhang) within the headshell so that the sides remain parallel while the front of the cartridge becomes parallel to the lines on the grid that run across the cartridge’s front. Once you’ve aligned the cartridge to both dots/grids, tighten mounting hardware until snug.
It’s important to note that measuring effective length may not be what is specified by manufacturers, and 14mm is a common manufacturer specification for overhang but may not be optimum. Understanding phono cartridge overhang is crucial for achieving optimal sound quality from your turntable setup.
Tools Needed For Adjusting Overhang
To adjust phono cartridge overhang, you’ll need a few tools to ensure accuracy and precision:
1. Two-point protractor: This is the most important tool needed for adjusting overhang. It has a dot for the stylus tip to rest on and a grid with lines running parallel to the sides and front of the cartridge. The protractor ensures that the cartridge is aligned properly with the tonearm.
2. Cartridge mounting hardware: You’ll need to loosen the cartridge mounting hardware just enough to allow forward and backward movement of the cartridge in the headshell.
3. Headshell: This is where the cartridge is mounted, and it’s important to have a headshell that is compatible with your turntable.
4. Screwdriver or Allen wrench: You’ll need a screwdriver or Allen wrench to loosen and tighten the mounting hardware.
5. Ruler or measuring tape: To measure the distance from the tonearm pivot to the center of the platter and subtract it from the distance from the tonearm pivot to the stylus (effective length) to determine overhang.
6. Patience and attention to detail: Adjusting phono cartridge overhang is a precision job that requires patience and attention to detail. It cannot be done by eye alone, and it’s important to take your time to ensure that everything is aligned properly.
How To Measure Overhang
To measure overhang, you’ll need a ruler, a piece of paper, and a protractor. Here are the steps:
1. Check the specifications of your turntable to determine the recommended overhang distance.
2. Cut a piece of paper to the recommended length and mark a line on it.
3. Place the paper on the center of the turntable spindle.
4. Move the tonearm with the cartridge close to the paper.
5. Use the protractor to adjust the headshell position of the cartridge until it’s aligned with the marked line on the paper.
6. Check if the cantilever is bent. If it is, try to align it as best as you can or order a replacement stylus.
7. If the stylus is not replaceable, find a retipper.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your phono cartridge overhang is properly adjusted, resulting in better sound quality and longevity of your equipment.
Adjusting Overhang On Your Turntable
To adjust overhang on your turntable, you’ll need to start by measuring the distance from the tonearm pivot to the center of the platter and subtracting it from the distance from the tonearm pivot to the stylus (effective length). This will give you the overhang distance.
Next, you’ll need to use a protractor to adjust the overhang. Place the protractor on your turntable platter with the hole over the spindle. Move the cartridge/tonearm until the stylus rests exactly on the center of the bulls-eye (120.9mm radius). Check that the cartridge is square with the outer set of grid lines. If it’s not, loosen the cartridge mounting screws and twist the cartridge lightly until it’s square.
Next, move the cartridge/tonearm until the stylus rests exactly on the center of the inner bulls-eye (66.04mm radius), and rotate the protractor around the spindle as required. Check that the cartridge is square with the inner set of grid lines. If it’s not, adjust overhang by moving the cartridge in or out along the axis until it’s square.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until both points are square. Tighten mounting hardware until snug, remove protractor, and your cartridge alignment is now optimized for playing standard 12″ LP records.
Remember, adjusting phono cartridge overhang is an important step in achieving optimal sound quality from your turntable setup. Take your time and follow these steps carefully to get the best possible performance from your system.
Testing And Fine-Tuning Your Setup
Once you’ve adjusted the phono cartridge overhang, it’s time to test and fine-tune your setup. One way to do this is by using a test record, which some audiophiles swear by. However, the consensus on forums is mixed on whether test records are necessary. Some people insist they are helpful, while others believe that the ultimate test to determine whether azimuth or any of the other tonearm adjustments is your ear.
To fine-tune your setup, you can use an alignment gauge. There are a whole range of overhang gauges available from free web sources, numerous vendors, or you can make your own if you know enough about your arms design (not recommended for the beginner). It’s recommended to use either the template that came with your arm or one of the more expensive overhang adjustment gauges that measures the distance from the center of the turntable spindle to the center of your arm mounting; the pivot to spindle distance. These gauges also help you initially set zenith.
The goal is to adjust the overhang distance so that when the stylus sits at each location, the body is parallel with the lines on the template. This can be achieved by moving the cartridge in the headshell if it has slotted mounting holes or moving the headshell on the arm if the cartridge has a fixed position in the headshell.
It’s important to note that after any adjustments, the stylus must still hit both locations shown in the template. Additionally, in some cases, adjusting overhang may result in the cartridge body being at a very slight angle to those same lines. However, this is acceptable as long as both locations shown in the template are hit.
By testing and fine-tuning your setup, you can ensure that your phono cartridge overhang is properly adjusted and that you’re getting optimal sound quality from your turntable.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
While adjusting phono cartridge overhang may seem straightforward, there are some common mistakes to avoid that can negatively impact your sound quality.
One mistake is not using a proper alignment gauge. Using a makeshift gauge or not using one at all can result in inaccurate alignment, leading to poor sound quality. It’s recommended to use a two-point protractor or a more expensive overhang adjustment gauge that measures the pivot to spindle distance.
Another mistake is not taking into account the manufacturer’s alignment specifications. Different manufacturers may use different alignment geometries such as Berwald, Stevenson, or Loefgren, which can affect the null points and ultimately, the sound quality. It’s important to use the manufacturer’s recommended alignment specifications or consult with a professional for guidance.
Additionally, not checking alignment on both the outer and inner dots/grids can result in improper alignment and poor sound quality. It’s crucial to check alignment on both grids and make necessary adjustments until they match.
Lastly, settling for an improper alignment can result in subpar sound quality. It’s important to take the time to properly adjust phono cartridge overhang for optimal sound performance.
By avoiding these common mistakes and following the proper steps for adjusting phono cartridge overhang, you can ensure the best possible sound quality from your turntable setup.
