Blonde on Blonde... on Blonde

Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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In my isolation and growing boredom I thought I would try to share some pictures and information from some of my escapades in turntable (make that turntable plinth) building. I have been able to have fun making a lot of sawdust turn into something that actually plays music... added bonus - It sounds quite fantastic!

All of the turntables use a constrained layer approach to their build; depending on the TT, some combo of Panzerholtz, Ebony, cherry and/or maple, bamboo, aluminum, and soapstone.

I'd love to hear back from the community. Maybe some relief from the news and self-imposed exile from the main street...
 
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Ovenmitt

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All3-sideview.JPEG All3-sideview.JPEG
 

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Ovenmitt

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The black Gerrard (Blackie) and SP10 mk3.
 

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Ovenmitt

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Finished-pearl.JPG
 

Ovenmitt

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Gerrard 301 #2 (Pearl)
 

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Vienna

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This is music to the eyes !!!
thank you for sharing and congratulations on your collection
 
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XV-1

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Absolutely beautiful!! they look sensational.

What is your fav spinner?
 

Ovenmitt

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Thanks XV-1 and Vienna!

It’s hard for to choose a “favorite “ .... it just really depends on the music and the mood. Having different cartridges to swap in and out makes it even better.
 
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Tango

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Thanks XV-1 and Vienna!

It’s hard for to choose a “favorite “ .... it just really depends on the music and the mood. Having different cartridges to swap in and out makes it even better.
Yes. That is a luxury of having multiple arm cart. You also have a luxury of rolling tubes with your EMT phono so each input can match arm cart for better flavor.
Some combo might have great musicality, more pleasing to the ears on certain kind of music. But for me, in the end, tt with arm cart that give best realism always win. It might sound less pleasing on some music and many pressings but it just fools me real and draw me in most with good records.

* I used to have that stuffed rock pillows in my old condo too. You use them as sound absorber? :D
 
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PeterA

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Thanks XV-1 and Vienna!

It’s hard for to choose a “favorite “ .... it just really depends on the music and the mood. Having different cartridges to swap in and out makes it even better.

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your collection. Very nice high quality photos too. Could you explain which table/arm/cartridge combinations you prefer for which type of music and why?

I appreciate the fun in having choices. MikeL is doing the same. And it is great for comparisons and education when visitors come over. However, I also appreciate Tang's approach which is just to stick with the combination that is most convincing for the majority of listing. Do you listen roughly equally to all three tables?

Nice looking room also. Could you post some photos of the rest of the room and speakers. What a nice place to hang in when hunkering down.
 

Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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Yes. That is a luxury of having multiple arm cart. You also have a luxury of rolling tubes with your EMT phono so each input can match arm cart for better flavor.
Some combo might have great musicality, more pleasing to the ears on certain kind of music. But for me, in the end, tt with arm cart that give best realism always win. It might sound less pleasing on some music and many pressings but it just fools me real and draw me in most with good records.

* I used to have that stuffed rock pillows in my old condo too. You use them as sound absorber? :D

Hi Tang,

Yes, the EMT is really a fantastic piece. It is a very fine tool that lets me shape and refine the sound to the music being played and whatever cartridge/TT combo I plug into it. I’ve been thinking about getting an EMT pickup head (maybe a mono?) to try with it - seems silly not to experiment with that combo

* I love that you noticed the wool ’Stones in the corner...... we affectionately call them Mick, Charlie, and Keef.
 

Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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170
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your collection. Very nice high quality photos too. Could you explain which table/arm/cartridge combinations you prefer for which type of music and why?

I appreciate the fun in having choices. MikeL is doing the same. And it is great for comparisons and education when visitors come over. However, I also appreciate Tang's approach which is just to stick with the combination that is most convincing for the majority of listing. Do you listen roughly equally to all three tables?

Nice looking room also. Could you post some photos of the rest of the room and speakers. What a nice place to hang in when hunkering down.

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your compliments on my room and turntable creations.

I just finished building the pearl Garrard. So far it sounds really good, but I don't have it very well dialed in yet. It's the first one-piece plinth (no separate arm pod) that I've built. I think that these turntables really benefit from a more robust power supply and disconnecting the eddy brake; this is next on my list for this one. It should keep sounding better and better as it "settles-in".

The SP10-Mk.3 is refined and very resolving. It is a cleaner more "see-through" presentation with good top to bottom balance. I like to listen to great jazz singers, classical chamber and symphonic music on this deck.

My black Garrard probably sees the most use. It's very dynamic and really swings but also has a nice sense of grace about it. It's very weighty and does a great job with rock, blues, swing, bop, etc. It has a ton of action. I do think the combination of SME 3012-series 1 and SPU is a good one and probably contributes a lot to the package.

The SP10 is the straight-A girl who you bring home to mom and dad. The Garrard is her punk rock sister that you really want to hang out with.

I'll try to post some pictures of my room soon....
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Ovenmitt,

congrats on the beautiful wood plinths, and the whole sense of aesthetic and musical embrace your system projects. got be a satisfying feeling and fabulous place to sit back and enjoy the music. love it!

i can relate on a number of aspects on your efforts; the Blond on Blond theme relates to my whole room being either solid maple finish or finish grade maple ply, i use to have both a 301 (and really miss it.....hence the Saskia) and SP-10 Mk3, and your whole multiple arm/tt direction. i can also relate to your identifying the characteristics of each tt/arm/cart combo and finding the musical/mood match. now that things are finally settled in that area i'm going down that same road. of course; i'm a Bruce Lee fan and us Seattle-ites view him as our guy.

Bravo!!!
 
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defride

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Wonderful craftsmanship, chapeau!

I guess the equipment rack is also your handy work?
 
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Ovenmitt

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Nov 21, 2017
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Ovenmitt, thank you for the quick response. I love your synopsis at the end summarizing the character. I think it is something we can all relate to. Have you considered adding a belt drive table to your collection and if you did which would it be?

Hi Peter,

Thanks again for your kind comments. Yes, I'd love to add a belt drive table at some point. I think that having yet another perspective would be a lot of fun. I'm honestly not sure what I'd try to go with at this point though. Having said that, if the world were my oyster and David wanted to drop off one of his beautiful American Sound 'tables I think could probably manage okay :)
 
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