How to DISASSEMBLE a JELCO SA-250-T TONEARM for REWIRE?

Posted by BrianM23@msn.com (A) on January 24, 2013 at 23:57:19

Hi there,

I am planning on completely removing the JELCO tonearm from my SOTA Moonbeam as I have plans to fully rewire the wand with sone of my recently purchased cardas tonearm wire. In this case it is the jacketed and shielded type, with all four wires in the middle. I believe the "left" wires are twisted along with the "right" ones. I didn't go for the braided wire version because I like the idea of having a separate built in shield, to minimize noise.

Also, I am upgrading from an old Grado Blue Cartridge to an Audio-Technica AT440MLa, which has a true "line contact" stylus. The Grado no longer brings me any joy. Its "dead" sounding.

ANYWAY: The tonearm assembly is very delicate (obviously) - as everybody knows - and I do not want to break it in any way. There are NO INSTRUCTIONS out there on web regarding even the simplest methods to get this done. I've read some things, seen some photos, but nothing really serious, or with enough photos and description.

ALSO: THERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT "PLUG" (if that's really what it is) MOUNTED ONTO THE END OF THE TONEARM WAND. I don't have a clue as to whether this "plug" with the four male prongs sticking out ON THIS SIDE (THE OUTSIDE) used for plugging in the 4 cartridge wires, is even removable at all, as least not for this 'table. THERE IS A MICRO-TINY SCREW FACING UPWARDS FROM DIRECTLY BELOW THIS PIECE and I believe that IT is what holds the thing into place.

BUT THE QUESTION IS: Is it possible to rewire the tonearm AND SAVE (and re-use) THIS PIECE TO CONNECT THE NEW CARDAS WIRE TO? OR, will I be forced to wire the four wires DIRECTLY to the cartridge using the 4 cartridge clips I've purchased along with the wiring (just to be on the safe side)?

MUST I leave the tonearm wand open at the front end, forced to connect the Cardas wires DIRECTLY TO the CARTRIDGE? I don't like the idea of it. That wire is just too fragile and I'd prefer to keep it all of it "tucked in" behind that piece. How many cartridge changes before the wire would break or split there at the end? I'TS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

As I mentioned above, concerning the (possible) removal, there is that tiny screw on the end of tonearm wand that can only be screwed in or out from below. I KNOW it's NOT THERE for DIALING IN AZIMUTH as the headshell itself is not removeable. So I'd figured it must be there solely to allow for the removal of the plug there at the end of the tonearm. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT?

BUT WHAT'S BEHIND THE PLUG?: Are the internal wires SOLDERED DIRECTLY to the other side of this piece - or are they perhaps, PLUGGED into it? HOW DOES IT WORK? Is there ANOTHER piece BEHIND this one? I'm just wondering WHERE AND/OR HOW THE 4 INTERNAL WIRES ARE CONNECTED (OR SOLDERED) TO THE REAR OF THIS PIECE. That way I can at least plan for the eventuality of having to use the 4 cartridge clips I purchased for a direct connection to the cartridge or whether I will be plugging or soldering the wires to points or prongs on THE INSIDE. MY PREFERENCE (as stated above) WOULD BE TO KEEP THE PLUG THERE. I realize it's not as "pure" of a connection but I like it there for solidity, ease of cartridge replacement, preventing dust from getting inside the wand, etc.

NOTE: I HAVE INSTALLED 2 RCA JACKS to the turntable and I WILL be connecting the wires DIRECTLY TO THEM. So the only DIRECT connection I DO NOT WANT is to the CARTRIDGE itself.

***As far as a FIFTH WIRE is concerned (i.e. GROUND WIRE), I'm not sure WHERE to connect THAT either. Perhaps soldering it directly to the Cardas braided shield would work? I don't know and will leave IT aside for another post.***

ANYWAY: Please feel free to offer up any comments and suggestions that could help me get down to business and do the work. I've been pretty stuck for awhile and overly worried that I'm gonna break something, yet I have all the supplies sitting right here in front of me.

BY THE WAY: Steps to take apart ANY tonearm would be helpful! It doesn't have to be a Jelco. Ultimately they are not THAT different from one another in their overall design.

Thank you so much for your help! I welcome any advice you have for me.

Cheers,

Brian Malman

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Topic - How to DISASSEMBLE a JELCO SA-250-T TONEARM for REWIRE? - BrianM23@msn.com 23:57:19 01/24/13 (13)

Thanks Everyone for Your Input and Advice;-) I Really Appreciate It!!! (nt) - BrianM23@msn.com 16:20:31 01/30/13 (0)

RE: How to DISASSEMBLE a JELCO SA-250-T TONEARM for REWIRE? - MylesJ 23:13:43 01/27/13 (0)

RE: How to DISASSEMBLE a JELCO SA-250-T TONEARM for REWIRE? - AudioSoul 12:43:57 01/25/13 (0)

Have a plan "B" - Phil_S 11:40:20 01/25/13 (1)

Imagine being able to wind the nearly microscopic wires WITHIN a cartridge! - BrianM23@msn.com 16:32:59 01/30/13 (0)

Most tonearms - unclestu 11:20:01 01/25/13 (1)

So the non-shielded/braid is sonically superior to the shielded bundle? - BrianM23@msn.com 22:05:55 01/26/13 (0)

RE: How to DISASSEMBLE a JELCO SA-250-T TONEARM for REWIRE? - bjh 06:35:48 01/25/13 (0)

Please don't take this wrong, but from your post, - Opus 104 04:20:13 01/25/13 (4)

Practice Makes Perfect and "The Poor Man's Tonearm Rewire" - BrianM23@msn.com 16:15:04 01/30/13 (0)

Thanks but I really WANT to do it myself! - BrianM23@msn.com 05:30:51 01/25/13 (2)

Tip #1: Take pictures of everything before and while you disassemble it - ToddM 08:14:29 01/25/13 (0)

If you've never worked with tone arm wiring before, - Opus 104 05:39:29 01/25/13 (0)

How to DISASSEMBLE a JELCO SA-250-T TONEARM for REWIRE?

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