What tone arm is this? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Spinningwheels · 5th Jul 2020, 5:10 pm

Hello all,

I have just been lucky enough to acquire a Garrard 301 but have yet to collect it. Can anyone recognise the tone arm that is currently set up with the turntable?

Many thanks in advance.

Ted Kendall · 5th Jul 2020, 9:13 pm

That is an Acos Hi-Light, a mono system designed by Walton, and claimed to be the first pickup to leave no discernable evidence of its use on the groove. This was later developed into the Decca Deram. Might be better to keep it as it is and use something else for stereo.

toshiba tony · 5th Jul 2020, 10:36 pm

Whilst it appears crude was there no way it could be used for stereo, not even a ceramic? I do however, like it's plainness.

Ted Kendall · 5th Jul 2020, 11:32 pm

Well, it's head-specific for one thing - a Deram might fit, but I don't know whether the existing socket is four-pin or something else. No bias correction, either. The arm is a quality item, though - of very low friction and designed to allow light tracking forces. However, there aren't many of these about and such a nice example of an important design should perhaps be preserved intact.

5th Jul 2020, 5:10 pm	#1
Spinningwheels Diode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Wareham, Dorset, UK. Posts: 2	What tone arm is this? Hello all, I have just been lucky enough to acquire a Garrard 301 but have yet to collect it. Can anyone recognise the tone arm that is currently set up with the turntable? Many thanks in advance. Attached Thumbnails

5th Jul 2020, 9:13 pm	#2
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: What tone arm is this? That is an Acos Hi-Light, a mono system designed by Walton, and claimed to be the first pickup to leave no discernable evidence of its use on the groove. This was later developed into the Decca Deram. Might be better to keep it as it is and use something else for stereo.

5th Jul 2020, 10:36 pm	#3
toshiba tony Heptode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 978	Re: What tone arm is this? Whilst it appears crude was there no way it could be used for stereo, not even a ceramic? I do however, like it's plainness.

5th Jul 2020, 11:32 pm	#4
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: What tone arm is this? Well, it's head-specific for one thing - a Deram might fit, but I don't know whether the existing socket is four-pin or something else. No bias correction, either. The arm is a quality item, though - of very low friction and designed to allow light tracking forces. However, there aren't many of these about and such a nice example of an important design should perhaps be preserved intact.