Shure Stylus Force Gauge Question

[JohnnyCashFan]

I have my old man's Shure Stylus Force Gauge. Anyone else using this ? If so, when you set up tracking force do you use it on the bare platter, use it on your mat, use it on a beater record on your mat ? Or should it not matter ? Just wanted to check. Tx

photo added for reference

 

[Corycm]

I usually measure it on the mat, without a record.

 

[kvetcha]

mat without record

 

[AnthonyI]

............what they said

 

[HiFi Guy]

A digital gauge is inexpensive, safer to use and more accurate.

 

[AnthonyI]

A digital gauge is inexpensive, safer to use and more accurate.

I assumed we were talking about using a digital guage, am I missing something?

 

[kvetcha]

I assumed we were talking about using a digital guage, am I missing something?

The Shure is an analog gauge. I've got one! It works well, but the digital is certainly easier.

 

[AnthonyI]

The Shure is an analog gauge. I've got one! It works well, but the digital is certainly easier.

My bad, missed the "guide"/guage part and assumed we were talking about setting the tracking force of a Shure cart on a scale........I'm noticing a little COVID haze still effecting me as of late, lol

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

It takes a few try's to get used to but works once you develop a system (like putting a turntable belt back on). People used this one for many years before the made china digital crap. Plus I got it hand me down in box of old stuff from the old man.

 

[Turbo]

Obviously like this, preferably with your most audiophile, best sounding record underneath, to best mimic real-life play situations.

 

[Russ I]

It takes a few try's to get used to but works once you develop a system (like putting a turntable belt back on). People used this one for many years before the made china digital crap. Plus I got it hand me down in box of old stuff from the old man.

Yeah, it works pretty well. I've had one for years, then bought a digital scale that crapped out after a while, so now I'm back to analog. I've never thought to add a record so always have just put it on the mat. I can't imagine it could make much difference, plus the balancing point of the scale is raised a bit off the surface it's on, so maybe that's supposed to account for the record (meaning it's setting the weight for where the stylus will hit the vinyl)?