LP12 novice - how does this one look?

[richb]

I'm completely new to this turntable and have seen this one, and was hoping the diyA wisdom could comment on it:

Grace G-707 tonearm - the weight looks to be rather oddly positioned, is this poorly assembled or broken?

Here's the underside

Apparently an early one (with a 'weak' motor according to the owner, I would check the motor and convert to my own synthesised generator).

Cheers!

 

[vinylkid58]

Grace G-707 tonearm - the weight looks to be rather oddly positioned, is this poorly assembled or broken?

Appears to be broken. Not good.

Apparently an early one (with a 'weak' motor according to the owner, I would plan to service the motor and convert to a synthesised generator).

Personally, I would give it a pass and buy a late 80's deck with glued sub-chassis, plinth with corner braces and a Valhalla (or Lingo) power supply. And a not broken arm.

jeff

 

[richb]

Thanks for the confirmation on the tonearm, shame, and the other tips. (Power supply I don't want to pay for as I can do my own)

 

[vinylkid58]

(Power supply I don't want to pay for as I can do my own)

Well you're possibly looking for a deck that will likely have one anyway. They're not worth much at this point. Someone might give you $100 for one.

jeff

 

[Mark Tillotson]

Looks like someone transported the arm without first removing the counterweight - will knacker the arm pivot bearing every time, sometimes break the arm itself...

 

[limono]

I don't remember since I had Grace arm an eons ago but isn't the counterweight stub decoupled from main arm with sort of rubber connector? It's worth checking out. The arm is well respected (although I didn't like it that much ) and if bought as "broken " for close to nothing it can pay for the whole deck once fixed. You can "Naim" LP12 with the help of 500W isolation transformer. That's all there is to it. It will sound like LP12 meaning worlds better than any Rega regardless of the price.

 

[rayma]

The rear part of the arm is broken, and it appears there was some kind of modification of the decoupling system.
I would not expect it to be repairable. Also the arm bearings could be damaged from the poor handling.

Here is how the counterweight should look.
Post #1 also has the optional weight ring on the counterweight.

 

[limono]

Well it's obvious that it's broken but it may be simply fixable if there is a plastic or hard rubber connection which got damaged and it didn't have to happen in the shipping. If there is no significant play in the bearing the arm is likely fine. Anyway , How much 707 is worth these days $150-200 ? Old
LP12 are fetching $800-1600 and prices are climbing

 

[ihear21khz]

Buy if it is cheap and mod the hell out of it. The slow motor could just be a failing motor phase capacitor and this should be cheap and easy to change.

 

[limono]

It doesn't need any mods if the main bearing is OK. Buy Roxan Nima arm ,500W isolation transformer and you will have a pinnacle of flat earth sound fix and sell 707 if possible

 

[richb]

Thanks all! Food for thought.......

 

[vinylkid58]

Food for thought.......

Weigh your options before you jump in, because the pools deep with LP12's.

jeff

 

[planet10]

What does the back of the arm look like if you screw off the counterweight?

The extra weight is DIY or aftermarket.

dave

 

[richb]

I can't tell I'm afraid, I've only seen it in pictures

 

[Simon1972]

The motor won't he weak, it'll be bone dry, needs oiling and have one bad cap so it's down one phase.