Re: EMG Mark Xa (Export) - Rebuild, Conservation and EMG lis
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:13 pm
Hello again Jim,
I have just searched through my collection of turntables and, as I thought, they are 99% unsuitable Garrard. Unfortunately, the various manufacturers seem to have used slightly different tapers---at least Garrard, Collaro and Paillard are all different---as double-checked this evening. This begs the question as to whether it is possible/practicable to modify to what is required. I have never tried this but I don't see why it could not be done with taper reamers assuming the metal has not been hardened---the items I have here are soft. Where a difficulty might arise is, say, when converting Garrard to Collaro it would be necessary to open out the lower taper hole, having the effect of lowering the whole turntable towards the deck-board---which may or may not be a problem (brake, deck clearance etc). The motor is often mounted with the aid of rubber washers, thus thinner items would have the effect of raising the spindle but then the winding handle is thrown out of alignment ! It really is a question of degree, depending upon your particular set-up and would require careful measurement---and/or trial and error !
However, it actually is your lucky day because I did manage to find something I did not know I had---namely one good condition Collaro turntable---see photos ! I tried it on a Collaro arbor (my own Xa with D30 motor) and it is pretty good but not absolutely perfect in terms of up and down movement, although it is a lot better than the one you have. It's yours if you would like it.
The rim is fairly good and would look like new if nickeled or you might like to leave it brown with its patina---it is good enough to look pretty respectable. I think they were originally supplied in both finishes according to choice although I am slightly uncertain as to whether that was the case in the earlier years.
At this stage, we do not know exactly what the problem with yours is---whether it is distortion of the turntable itself or damage to the taper in some way---hopefully the spindle is running true. I would say, however, that to save you quite a bit of (possibly abortive) work, trying a spare would seem a sensible way to go ? Hope this helps.
I have just searched through my collection of turntables and, as I thought, they are 99% unsuitable Garrard. Unfortunately, the various manufacturers seem to have used slightly different tapers---at least Garrard, Collaro and Paillard are all different---as double-checked this evening. This begs the question as to whether it is possible/practicable to modify to what is required. I have never tried this but I don't see why it could not be done with taper reamers assuming the metal has not been hardened---the items I have here are soft. Where a difficulty might arise is, say, when converting Garrard to Collaro it would be necessary to open out the lower taper hole, having the effect of lowering the whole turntable towards the deck-board---which may or may not be a problem (brake, deck clearance etc). The motor is often mounted with the aid of rubber washers, thus thinner items would have the effect of raising the spindle but then the winding handle is thrown out of alignment ! It really is a question of degree, depending upon your particular set-up and would require careful measurement---and/or trial and error !
However, it actually is your lucky day because I did manage to find something I did not know I had---namely one good condition Collaro turntable---see photos ! I tried it on a Collaro arbor (my own Xa with D30 motor) and it is pretty good but not absolutely perfect in terms of up and down movement, although it is a lot better than the one you have. It's yours if you would like it.
The rim is fairly good and would look like new if nickeled or you might like to leave it brown with its patina---it is good enough to look pretty respectable. I think they were originally supplied in both finishes according to choice although I am slightly uncertain as to whether that was the case in the earlier years.
At this stage, we do not know exactly what the problem with yours is---whether it is distortion of the turntable itself or damage to the taper in some way---hopefully the spindle is running true. I would say, however, that to save you quite a bit of (possibly abortive) work, trying a spare would seem a sensible way to go ? Hope this helps.
