colterphoto1 Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 It's DARK in here! I have the Thorens situated about chest high on my Bello rack. It has glass shelves fixed at about 12.5", and with the turntable taking up 3-4 of that, with the handball/granite sandwich taking another 3" or so, doens't leave room for a dust cover. Never mind that, but how on earth do you guys light the area so you can see the grooves, where to set the stylus? I'm thinking one of those little gooseneck lamps like I used to use on mixing consoles would be great if I could find one which would gently clamp mount to the glass shelf above or something similar. Or are there any other ideas from the house? M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Yep, that's exactly what you need. I'm looking for one to mount on my shelf. A nice, lighted magnifying glass helps as well. You need one of those anyway when you are using your cartridge alignment tool (protracator). Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 The gooseneck sounds right to me, too, though it sure shows dust on the record at low angles. I strongly second the lighted magnifying glass. I found an ACE Hardware item for only $7.00 that has the right combo of greater than 2 power (probably about 3-4X) and a focal length that's just right for looking at cantilever alignment. The common 2-power items just aren't quite powerful enough for me. There are other illuminated maginfiers, but I don't recommend one that's meant to be put directly on printed pages & stamps. These have a very short focal length and make you get too close, which can bump the tonearm out of your alignment, and possibly damage things if you're trying to magnify the stylus. lc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 You moved quickly on setting up and isolating your table! How about some pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Forget the lights and magnifiers. What you need is a good tube amplifier. Preferably with some big, bright output tubes like EL34 or 6L6GC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted August 9, 2006 Author Share Posted August 9, 2006 No pics til I get the problems straightened out. Sent you a PM Larry. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 My room is very dark. Black and dark red walls with little lighting. I find that I actually enjoy music more now that I listen to entire album sides. With a CD or digital music library it was too easy to skip around from The Dead Kennedys, to James Taylor to Iggy Popp then over to The Cure.... Just drop the needle on the first track (you can't miss that even in the dark) and listen to an entire side. Problem solved![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of a votive candle and fit it over the spindle. It also clamps the record. This is what's known as "spinning wax." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 No pics til I get the problems straightened out. Sent you a PM Larry.You have an e-mail reply. lc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazman Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 It's DARK in here! I have the Thorens situated about chest high on my Bello rack. It has glass shelves fixed at about 12.5", and with the turntable taking up 3-4 of that, with the handball/granite sandwich taking another 3" or so, doens't leave room for a dust cover. Never mind that, but how on earth do you guys light the area so you can see the grooves, where to set the stylus? I'm thinking one of those little gooseneck lamps like I used to use on mixing consoles would be great if I could find one which would gently clamp mount to the glass shelf above or something similar. Or are there any other ideas from the house? M Michael, You did not state the height of the Bello rack. Generally speaking, the TT would be located on the top shelf of a rack of reasonable height. If that's not possible, consider some other location that provides better "all around" access. You may want to consider stepping back a bit to get more perspective and then develop a "plan" on how to better incorporate the turntable into your system. A plan would address not only availability of light, but also easy unencumbered access to the turntable and it's operation. Cramped/close quarters is a recipe for a future disaster. Klipsch out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Not a bad choice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted August 9, 2006 Author Share Posted August 9, 2006 The Bell-O rack is 6' tall overall and holds all my components remarkably well. The shelves are very sturdy as is the welded steel frame. Whole thing is probably 200 pounds empty! Having further problems with the Thorens so everything is on hold. I'm playing CD's right now. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazman Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 The Bell-O rack is 6' tall overall and holds all my components remarkably well. The shelves are very sturdy as is the welded steel frame. Whole thing is probably 200 pounds empty! Having further problems with the Thorens so everything is on hold. I'm playing CD's right now. M Michael, Unfortunately, the Bello tower racks are designed toward components operated with face mounted controls (cd or dvd players, receivers, etc), and not designed with a turntable in mind. Klipsch out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Opps! Sorry, thought you wrote 'TT Lightning'. I use a flashlight - now lightning - that's interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Michael http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=LITL318&product_name=L3-18%20Gooseneck%20Lamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted August 10, 2006 Author Share Posted August 10, 2006 $62?!?!? I don't have that kind of money. Thanks though. The dimmer is a nice feature. Think I'll check out the local musicians supply store. They must have the ones for DJ's and PA guys. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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