Tone arm modification--RockOla

[Ron Rich]

Tone arm weight kit--credit: Rob/NYC   www.nicemite.com/Jukebox/Jukebox.htm

[robnyc]

It is worth pointing out that there are additional steps needed to get best results from this mod.

First, you don't need a "kit" -just a small quantity of suitable washers and a 2"-3" screw as seen here on an AMI -I:
www.flickr.com/photos/90641375@N06/37325736231/

The cloth covering on the tonearm wire should be cut back or pulled back to the strain relief clamp. The idea is to reduce any drag on the arm.

The trip switch on these machines should be adjusted placing the blades as close as possible without touching. This, to keep them from loading the arm during the playing grooves.

The pivot bearing should be flushed and lubed with a medium weight non-detergent oil.

When set into play position, it should be possible to slip your thumbnail or other low-friction surface under the front edge of the arm and have it follow, with no bias, all the way to the trip-off position.

Note that in some models that have a dress cap and visible mech some cutting may be necessary to clear the counterweight.

I usually set these arms for 2gm using a Pickering DAT cart. I never understood why R-O used that idiotic kiddie phono spring when a counterweight could have given them one of the best low-mass arms in the industry.

RobNYC

[canadian]

I bought the kits to use on my rockola. They are great and easy to install.

[jimk]

(Homer Simpson): "D'oh!"

Rob,

I didn't see this "sticky" when I posted my RO tonearm Q recently! I'm not sure if it will work with my 1452, but I just may be reaching out to you soon.....

Regards,

Jim

[robnyc]

Jim, the only R-O using the older-style arm that I modded was a 1458 & 1465:
www.flickr.com/photos/90641375@N06/40008725372/

It is a bit dorky-looking, but it allowed a good Pickering DAT cart to be used @ 3gm tracking. This old pic is from a record producer who bought it from me in 1998.

RobNYC

[bp2u]

The kit linked here is no longer available. Does anyone happen to have some details on a counter weight setup before I start experimenting on my 451?

[Ron Rich]

The "counter weight" shown,in one of the above photo's, is one from a Seeburg, built after 1966-- Ron Rich

[canadian]

Contacted the maker and here is his reply.
NiceMite.com will re-open March at the earliest.

thanks,

Darren Thompson
www.nicemite.com

[whammoed]

Mar 12, 2018 4:29:36 GMT robnyc said:

It is worth pointing out that there are additional steps needed to get best results from this mod.

First, you don't need a "kit" -just a small quantity of suitable washers and a 2"-3" screw as seen here on an AMI -I:


RobNYC

This is very true.  I'm the owner of NiceMite.com and that is how I first modified my tonearm.  I wanted a more factory look which is why I sourced the parts for the kits.  Now I own a German Wurlitzer and to my surprise the tonearm counterweight just looks like a bunch of washers from the factory LOL.  I still like the looks of the kit better of course.

[whammoed]

Mar 11, 2018 18:40:15 GMT Ron Rich said:

Tone arm weight kit--credit: Rob/NYC   www.nicemite.com/Jukebox/Jukebox.htm

Hey all.  Just joined the forums.  I'm the owner of NiceMite.com.  The website is not back up yet but I can ship out these kits by request for now.  I'll give a discount for forum members: $22 plus shipping.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Darren,
Yes, but the washers on the WurliTzer GMBH, are nicely painted ! --(aren't they?) Ron Rich

[whammoed]

Mar 19, 2021 13:41:25 GMT Ron Rich said:

Hi Darren,
Yes, but the washers on the WurliTzer GMBH, are nicely painted ! --(aren't they?) Ron Rich

Nope.  Looks like bare zinc to me.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Darren,
You got "gypped" ! I know I have seen them painted that "yellowish" color--somewhere ! LOL Ron Rich

[whammoed]

Mar 19, 2021 13:59:17 GMT Ron Rich said:

Hi Darren,
You got "gypped" ! I know I have seen them painted that "yellowish" color--somewhere ! LOL Ron Rich

I'm mad.  I'm going to return it to the factory lol.

[jukenorman]

I suspect that it's only made to look pretty if the mech. is visible!

Norman.