Turntable Arm Wobble When Scratching

**DJBSLYDE** · 09-14-2016, 09:50 AM

I know this has probably been discussed at some point, but I wanted to ask anyway. I have owned a Technics 1200 mk5/mk2, Audio Technica At-Lp1240, and recently got a Pioneer Plx1000 from a online retailer (just to see how I liked it). I know it takes a finesse when scratching to prevent a lot of unwanted tonearm movement. It seems like most of the decks I have owned or tried have had about the same amount of movement from the arms when scratching. I found a video online where a guy suggested putting a small folded piece of paper in the tonearm swivel area to minimize wobble, and that trick works well, but...I wanted to ask is there something I am missing in the adjustment of the tonearm etc, that could be causing the excessive wobble. Even when trying to be very light handed, I still get what I think is to much tonearm movement. Thoughts?

**Windows 95** · 09-14-2016, 10:24 AM

To be honest, I have no idea what you're talking about. (Maybe post a video of the problem.)
Is the needle holding inside the groove? If so & it's not making any noise that's being picked up by the cart, I wouldn't worry about any tone arm wobble.

**DJBSLYDE** · 09-14-2016, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Windows 95

To be honest, I have no idea what you're talking about. (Maybe post a video of the problem.)
Is the needle holding inside the groove? If so & it's not making any noise that's being picked up by the cart, I wouldn't worry about any tone arm wobble.

The tonearm shakes when scratching.

**Nicadraus** · 09-15-2016, 03:08 AM

If the tonearms are set properly, there shouldn't be any movement, shaking or vibration at all. Seems like the pivot screws are not set properly.

**DJBSLYDE** · 09-15-2016, 07:24 AM

Thanks Nicadraus. I noticed the Pioneer Plx I just bought has the same issue illustrated in this youtube video https://youtu.be/WSwb2DcojLU which doesn't help the situation. I called Pioneer DJ yesterday and got confirmation that the arm should not have any play in it what so ever. Needless to say, I will be returning the Pioneer. I only wanted to try it because to me it looks better than the Audio Technica. That being said, the Audio Technica has not given me any issues. I will try to go back to the drawing board in the way I balanced the arm, to see if I did not set it up correctly.