Dave - the weight on all VPI 3D arms move along the back end of the arm tube. It is very hard to adjust properly on these older arms, so VPI then included the Counterintuitive to make it easier. I would try to rotate the counterweight without the counterintuitive in place (just slide it off the weight) while pushing the weight itself either forward or back toward your needed VTF of the cartridge. (clearly there is too much friction) When you get it in the approximate place, then use the counterintuitive to slightly add or remove weight to get to your needed force. I know it is difficult and inconvenient to move.....the very early 3D's didn't even have the luxury of the counterintuitive. Go slow but be assertive. The new 3D's are much more user friendly. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
Help with counterweight on VPI JMW 3d tonearm
I recently purchased a package on Audiogon that contained a VPI Classic 3 with the JMW 3D tonearm. The tonearm has a counterweight on it with the Soundsmith Counter Intuitive applied, but it is firmly attached to the arm and it has no set screw along the perimeter to loosen. The only hole in the counterweight at all is on the body of the weight in the back, but this hole doesn’t take a hex wrench and appears just to be threaded. I wondered if the previous owner had covered the set screw with the counter intuitive sticker but Ive felt the entire perimeter of the weight and feel nothing that I could use to loosen it. Can anyone help me identify this weight and suggest how I might loosen it? I’ve reached out to the seller but so far I’ve gotten no reply and I’m frustrated, can’t set up the tonearm/cartridge obviously. Dropbox link below contains a picture of the weight
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0nn05bhdmaur7u5/IMG_6397.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0nn05bhdmaur7u5/IMG_6397.JPG?dl=0
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