Grado Signature Laboratory Standard Tonearm

[MikeR]

Over the holidays I came across this Tonearm while window shopping and I could not resist the temptation after see the quality of the build.
It is all steel and well designed. The two issues are a very slow weeping O ring in the base of the hydraulic arm lift.

The other issue is the secondary base is missing but I found someone who has the Tonearm with a base, so when he has time to remove it from his turntable he will send me the measurements
and my son has offered to make up a set of proper electronic engineer drawings and I will get it manufactured as there are companies who will do one off parts
for a reasonable price.

The diffucult part will be figuring out the finish so the new base and the rest of the tonearm match.

 

[Lee]

That's pretty cool. I had heard about these but never saw one. Thanks for posting.

 

[Rook85]

One of the most unique and almost outlandish designs. Extremely well build. A fascinating and unusual construction.

Great choice!

 

[tony22]

I almost bought one during the 80s. I was sorry I didn’t as soon as I walked out of the store.

 

[MikeR]

One of the most unique and almost outlandish designs. Extremely well build. A fascinating and unusual construction.
View attachment 146006
Great choice!

The attention to detail in the design and the execution of the tonearm is quite staggering. Apparently Joe Grado lost money on every one of these tonearms that he sold, easy to see how.

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[Lynnot]

Have a look at an Ortofon RSG-309 (Summit 12) tonearm ...

 

[MikeR]

Why, this tonearm does look familiar, a budgeted copy of the Grado / Jelco arm with a few major differences. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[MikeR]

Here is Ortofon's 9" version

RS-212D 9"

RS-212D 9" tonearm Technical data Effective mass (without headshell) - 3.5 gEffective length (distance between the stylus and pivot point) - 231mmMounting distance between the pivot point and turntable center) - 216mmOffset angle - 22 degreesOverhang - 15mmInner null point - 58,5 mmOuter...

ortofon.com