9
G- ARM HEIGHT:
Unlike many tone arms, the JMW-3D height is both easy and repeatable to
vary. The knob next to the bearing housing bears a scale numbered from
zero to ninety-nine. Below the knob there is an index mark engraved on the
front of the support pillar.
Rotating the knob clockwise lowers the arm and rotating it counterclockwise
raises it.
Set the arm height as follows:
First take a 3X5 lined index card, bend it on the long side, stand it up on
the record so the lines are parallel to the record surface. Loosen the two
thumbscrews on the arm base, lower the arm onto the record and make
the headshell parallel to the lines on the index card by rotating the arm-
height knob as needed.
This is a good initial setting. You may wish to vary it depending on the
cartridge you are using and or the particular record being played. The
knob's scale makes it easy to return to a previous setting by making a
note of the number above the index mark and the number of complete
turns taken.
The old wisdom, which had the arm tube parallel to the record surface,
assumed not only that all cartridges had the same internal geometry and
stylus rake angle but also that all records were cut with the same
equipment set the same way. The idea was that everything would line up
properly with the arm parallel to the record.
If you have a gentle touch (so as not to bounce the turntable) you can
simply vary the arm height while listening to the record and catalog the
changes in sound you get while doing this. There is one perfect spot for
each record and cartridge combination. Depending upon your patience
and other mental factors, you could go through this process for every
record you own. Or, as most of us do, you can find a setting that works
for most records and sit back and listen to the music.
THE ARM HAS TWO BLACK THUMBSCREWS FOR LOCKING
THE VTA SETTING ONCE YOU ARE DONE ADJUSTING.
LOCKING THE ARM WILL GIVE THE BEST SOUND WITH THE
TIGHTEST CLEANEST BASS. REMEMBER, WHEN MOVING
THE VTA UP OR DOWN YOU MUST LOOSEN BOTH
THUMBSCREWS.