Is my Mayware headshell bent?

corrieb74 · 10th November 2009, 03:56 PM

I just bought a nice looking Mayware Formula 4 Mk3 on ebay and it arrived superbly packaged and is in seemingly good condition. However, I've noticed that the headshell bends up slightly in the middle. This would result in the cartridge not being completely horizontal if the arm tube itself is completely horizontal.

I've queried this with the seller and he has explained to me this this is how it was made and I should not try to bend it straight. If this is true, then surely the arm cannot be designed to run completely parallel to the platter.

Can someone help me with a second opinion here. Is this by design or is it simply bent?

Thanks, Ben

Cal Weldon · 10th November 2009, 04:04 PM

Does it look like this?

corrieb74 · 10th November 2009, 06:31 PM

Hey Cal,

Yea, that's exactly how it looks. Ok, so it looks like a design feature. Thanks a lot - saves me from doing something stupid.

Following through my logic, I guess VTA adjustments would have to take this curve into consideration. I'm planning to use a DL103 which is a pretty large cartridge. It'll be interesting to see how it sits when it's all set up. Does anyone have any advice on VTA adjustment with this arm?

FYI, I'm new to the forum. I've been playing around with Hi-fi all my life and this is going on my latest project: I'm making a solid plinth in chestnut for my Grandfather's Lenco GL75 and I'm interested in giving the Mayware a try. Really looking forward to getting it all put together.

Current system:
Thorens TD150 + SME 3009 + DL103
Keith Aschenbrenner MC transformer
Musical Fidelity X-LPS
Rogers HG-88 Mk 2 tube amp
Rogers Ls2/a2 speakers

Ben

BrianL · 11th November 2009, 03:25 AM

Every Mayware I've seen has the top surface of the headshell parallel to the arm tube. I.E. I have not seen one bent up. Mine wasn't.

planet10 · 11th November 2009, 03:58 AM

None of mine are bent up either, but none are Mk III either.

dave

oshifis · 12th November 2009, 01:20 PM

Mine looks like Cal's but the top of the shell is flat, parallel to the arm tube. I use a DL-103, too.

corrieb74 · 12th November 2009, 07:41 PM

It sounds like the consensus is that it should be flat, then.

@Cal - do you have any comments on the picture? I know that perpective can be deceptive, but that picture definitely shows the headshell bending up at a slight angle.

...Or am I going mad??

Ben

oshifis · 13th November 2009, 03:55 PM

But why would one want to bend it, anyway - and how?

Cal Weldon · 13th November 2009, 04:43 PM

Google was my friend.

I have no idea whether it is bent up or if the section that looks bent is off set and is simply a perspective thing. I just went looking for one to help speed up an answer for you.

planet10 · 13th November 2009, 05:28 PM

The Mk III manual does not have a clear picture and the angle from which the one picture i found is not an appropriate perspective to tell.

An angled headshell would move the pivot point higher for more stability.

dave

10th November 2009, 03:56 PM	#1
corrieb74 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	Is my Mayware headshell bent? I just bought a nice looking Mayware Formula 4 Mk3 on ebay and it arrived superbly packaged and is in seemingly good condition. However, I've noticed that the headshell bends up slightly in the middle. This would result in the cartridge not being completely horizontal if the arm tube itself is completely horizontal. I've queried this with the seller and he has explained to me this this is how it was made and I should not try to bend it straight. If this is true, then surely the arm cannot be designed to run completely parallel to the platter. Can someone help me with a second opinion here. Is this by design or is it simply bent? Thanks, Ben

11th November 2009, 03:25 AM	#4
BrianL diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA	Every Mayware I've seen has the top surface of the headshell parallel to the arm tube. I.E. I have not seen one bent up. Mine wasn't. __________________ bel

11th November 2009, 03:58 AM	#5
planet10 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 4	None of mine are bent up either, but none are Mk III either. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

13th November 2009, 04:43 PM	#9
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Google was my friend. I have no idea whether it is bent up or if the section that looks bent is off set and is simply a perspective thing. I just went looking for one to help speed up an answer for you. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

13th November 2009, 05:28 PM	#10
planet10 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 4	The Mk III manual does not have a clear picture and the angle from which the one picture i found is not an appropriate perspective to tell. An angled headshell would move the pivot point higher for more stability. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA


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10th November 2009, 06:31 PM	#3
corrieb74 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	Hey Cal, Yea, that's exactly how it looks. Ok, so it looks like a design feature. Thanks a lot - saves me from doing something stupid. Following through my logic, I guess VTA adjustments would have to take this curve into consideration. I'm planning to use a DL103 which is a pretty large cartridge. It'll be interesting to see how it sits when it's all set up. Does anyone have any advice on VTA adjustment with this arm? FYI, I'm new to the forum. I've been playing around with Hi-fi all my life and this is going on my latest project: I'm making a solid plinth in chestnut for my Grandfather's Lenco GL75 and I'm interested in giving the Mayware a try. Really looking forward to getting it all put together. Current system: Thorens TD150 + SME 3009 + DL103 Keith Aschenbrenner MC transformer Musical Fidelity X-LPS Rogers HG-88 Mk 2 tube amp Rogers Ls2/a2 speakers Ben

12th November 2009, 01:20 PM	#6
oshifis diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Budapest, Hungary	Mine looks like Cal's but the top of the shell is flat, parallel to the arm tube. I use a DL-103, too.

12th November 2009, 07:41 PM	#7
corrieb74 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	It sounds like the consensus is that it should be flat, then. @Cal - do you have any comments on the picture? I know that perpective can be deceptive, but that picture definitely shows the headshell bending up at a slight angle. ...Or am I going mad?? Ben

13th November 2009, 03:55 PM	#8
oshifis diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Budapest, Hungary	But why would one want to bend it, anyway - and how?

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