Needle tension is the amount of force that is applied to the stylus by the cartridge. It is important to have the correct needle tension for your turntable to prevent damage to the record and stylus. If the needle tension is too low, the stylus may not track properly and can skip or jump. If the needle tension is too high, it can damage the record and stylus.
How to check needle tension
There are a few different ways to check needle tension. One way is to use a needle force gauge. A needle force gauge is a device that measures the amount of force that is applied to the stylus. To use a needle force gauge, simply place the stylus on the gauge and adjust the tension until the gauge reads the correct value.
Another way to check needle tension is to use a record. Place the record on the turntable and play it. If the stylus skips or jumps, the needle tension is too low. If the stylus does not track properly, the needle tension is too high.
How to adjust needle tension
If the needle tension is too low, you can increase it by turning the tension adjustment screw clockwise. If the needle tension is too high, you can decrease it by turning the tension adjustment screw counterclockwise.
How often to adjust needle tension
The frequency with which you need to adjust needle tension will depend on how often you use your turntable. If you use your turntable regularly, you should check the needle tension once a month. If you only use your turntable occasionally, you may only need to check the needle tension once a year.
Conclusion
Needle tension is an important part of turntable maintenance. By checking and adjusting the needle tension regularly, you can prevent damage to your records and stylus.
Here are some additional tips for adjusting needle tension:
- Be careful not to overtighten the tension adjustment screw. Overtightening the screw can damage the cartridge.
- If you are not comfortable adjusting the needle tension yourself, you can take your turntable to a qualified technician.
- It is a good idea to keep a record of the needle tension settings for your turntable. This will help you to remember what the correct settings are if you need to adjust them in the future.