Topic: Pioneer PL-41 pitch problem

[edgarryan]

I recently purchased a used Pioneer PL-41 turntable. I noticed that the pitch was quite off. Sinatra sounded so many years younger on "Let Me Try Again". I played the same record on another turntable, and it sounded fine. The frequency was correctly set at 60khz. There is no pitch control switch or lever. Is there any way of tweaking this turntable so it would produce the correct pitch? Thanks.

[Reymer]

The PL41 is a belt drive turntable. Maybe the motor pulley of your Pioneer is for the 50Hz version, that is why the platter rotates a bit faster.

[edgarryan]

I already tried everything regarding the frequency switches, pero wala pa ring nangyari.  I read in the internet na ganito talaga sakit nitong model na ito.  Someone suggested filing the capstan, pero takot akong gawin yun dahil baka magkaloko-loko.

[dana]

I already tried everything regarding the frequency switches, pero wala pa ring nangyari.  I read in the internet na ganito talaga sakit nitong model na ito.  Someone suggested filing the capstan, pero takot akong gawin yun dahil baka magkaloko-loko.

na-solve mo na?

[onedown]

i'm not familiar with the model of your table. but if the frequency is correct, and it's a belt drive, could be a case of a worn out belt.

[edgarryan]

If it's a worn out belt, then the speed should be slower, right?

Anyway, I have solved the problem.  There is nothing wrong with the PL-41.  It appears that my reference turntable (Hitachi Lo-D) was the one that was wrong, since I didn't follow the strobe and just placed the pitch at the middle of the dial, thinking it was the correct setting.  So, it turns out my PL-41 was right all along.  Hehehe.

But my other TT, a Kenwood, is the one whose pitch sounds wrong.  That might be solved with a belt replacement.