The Clamp, a world-class turntable clamp

inspiredsports

"The Clamp" I believe was invented and developed by member "hearingimpaired" (Joe A).

I really don't think there's ever been another product made that will more tightly mate a vinyl disc to a turntable due to the way the brass grip system holds on to the turntable spindle and pulls the mating surface down toward the platter as you twist the tightening knob.

If I remember correctly, it is constructed of Delrin plastic with an incredible 3-part brass spindle grip design, both sonically neutral materials. As the story goes, the patent applied for never stuck or at least didn't keep large well-heeled competitors from pirating the idea and mass producing lesser quality versions that ate into Joe's top-shelf market.

Mine is in perfect mechanical and sonic condition, but cosmetically has a blemish or two.
These are as rare as proverbial hen's teeth and definitely worth the $350 shipped I'm asking, but I will consider an offer.

agfrost

Have you got the shims/instructions for it? Put me in line, please.

inspiredsports

vmaxer

There were 3 shims included with The Clamp. I can't locate mine at the moment, so could you please provide the measurements for them?

I do have the instructions for it.

The brass collet is one piece, not 3. Here is a photo of mine disassembled.

Dawgfish

The shims are for helping to flatten worped vinyl. They definitely help if the record is not perfectly flat. You put the shims on the spindle between the platter mat and record. Simply place over platter mat, place record on table, then install the clamp and clamp down. The more severe the worp, the thicker the shim. It works really well, not quite as well as a heavy weight or center clamp along with an outer periphery ring, but well nonetheless. The light weight of the clamp makes it ideal for use on suspended tables.

inspiredsports

Correct, yes, a single piece of brass (collet) split into 3 grips at the business end.



Brain cramp (too much of the 12 year aged rum my daughter brought me upon return from her honeymoon in Jamaica!)

I found the 3rd shim on my turntable platter!

They are 1.5, 2.5 and 3 mm and can be stacked in combination to get the desired height. the approx 1-1/8" diameter shim sits on the turntable raising the record just a bit above the platter.

Then, the approx 3" diameter contact ring of the clamp base can push down on the vinyl, reversing the positive shim gap and deflecting (sometimes with a loud snap!) the grooved portion of the record down into firm contact with the platter. You have to experiment to see what is the best total shim height (under the vinyl) for your rig. 3mm worked best for my delrin plattered Sonographe.

With the 3 shims you have options of:

1.5
2.5
3
4 (stacking 1.5 + 2.5)
4.5 (stacking 1.5 + 3)
5.5 (stacking 2.5 +3)

While definitely a help for warped vinyl, I believe Joe instructed to always use to get some positive gap to be "reversed" by the 3" diameter ring of the clamp when tightened.

vmaxer

I am attaching a copy of the instructions for The Clamp for those who may need or want them.

Dennis Gardner

I remember all the talk about this piece, but never saw one. There is some really good engineering in it! Much better functionality than the simple billet weights that you can find around the web. GLWTS

F1nut

Even a non-vinyl guy like me was impressed with what The Clamp does. So impressed that I own one. You should too.

agfrost

F1nut wrote: »

Even a non-vinyl guy like me was impressed with what The Clamp does. So impressed that I own one. You should too.

This one is spoken for.

pitdogg2

F1nut wrote: »

Even a non-vinyl guy like me was impressed with what The Clamp does. So impressed that I own one. You should too.

Interesting.

inspiredsports

Yep, I'm almost embarrassed to have to sell some of my favorite goodies, but these 2 weddings in a 4-week period are a worthwhile challenge!

The Clamp is shipping out to today !

inspiredsports

I don't tear up much but this one gets me every time I see it. It's a candid, un-posed iPhone shot I caught of my poised of baby girl (my youngest daughter) exactly 2 weeks ago while she was getting ready.



(next one is 2 weeks from today!)

dromunds

That's a very nice unposed photo somebody has good eye. Congrats!

schwarcw

Too bad Larry didn't buy this one. There may be hope for others!

SCompRacer

Some goofy pics I photochopped years ago....still kinda funny...lol











A more serious pic...a Linn LP12 I once owned.

SCompRacer

From the Bloomington Polk Fest we had many years ago at Mike's house. I brought my entire system along with a Nottingham Spacedeck......and, The Clamp.

vmaxer

schwarcw wrote: »

Too bad Larry didn't buy this one. There may be hope for others!

Never give up hope.

agfrost

I was a bit surprised it hadn't been snapped up in the 7 hours before I saw this post!

The Clamp sale threads don't tend to last too long.

inspiredsports

I live the Photo-Shopped Presence album cover !! Shipped out yesterday

Emlyn

agfrost wrote: »

I was a bit surprised it hadn't been snapped up in the 7 hours before I saw this post!

The Clamp sale threads don't tend to last too long.

When I bought mine from a member the thread lasted about ten minutes. Well worth the price.

Excellent Photochops above!

treitz3

Vmaxer, thanks for the instruction manual. I just printed it out.

I was lucky enough to get the last one Joe had at the time. This clamp, I have zero complaints about. It does a damn fine job with what it's supposed to do and it does a great job at improving all aspects of the sound of vinyl.

I never play vinyl without it. Ever.

Tom

BlueMDPicker

I've had mine for years, got it direct from Joe. Had no idea they were so revered!

vmaxer

treitz3 wrote: »

Vmaxer, thanks for the instruction manual. I just printed it out.

I was lucky enough to get the last one Joe had at the time. This clamp, I have zero complaints about. It does a damn fine job with what it's supposed to do and it does a great job at improving all aspects of the sound of vinyl.

I never play vinyl without it. Ever.

Tom

You're welcome. I wonder how many of these exist??

Thinking we need more.

treitz3

I tried talking Joe into making another run but there was one roadblock right after another. It's been so long ago, I forget what all of the roadblocks were. I do not remember how many he made but I do remember that the number was pretty low. Estimated off of this old man's memory....? Maybe less than 150 of them were made.

Don't hold me to that though. This was from a conversation close to a decade ago and I already had mine. so the importance of remembering wasn't a top priority. I was just wanting to hook some other LP lover friends of mine up with one because I was so impressed with the end result.

Tom

inspiredsports

The biggest problem that I remember Joe telling me was the cost to do it right, probably in the $500-550 range current sell based upon the smallest quantity possible to produce.

I sold this one delivered for within just a few dollars of what I gave Joe and it is already a ton of money in the low $300's range so I think cost is what stalled things.

schwarcw

I got one from Joe many years ago also. It is terrific and I agree with all the good things other owners have observed.

There is an alternative that I purchased which comes close. I have the link below. Notice on the web page he actually has Joe's clamp on the top photo and not his own clamp. His clamp comes very close. He is a great guy to deal with!

Here is the link: http://www.simphys.com/Pages/phono products.html

treitz3

Looks like the same exact thing with lite differences on the outside. Sure was a lot of "fluff" in the description of it though. I wonder why he photo shopped Joe's clamp on the top pic...that's just...weird.

Inspiredsports, yes. Cost was the number one brick wall for Joe and trying a second run at it.

Tom

Toolfan66

As I was scrolling through the pics I was thinking of the Led Zeppelin Presence Lp, and there it was..

Thanks Tom...

Mike Reeter

Looks like Joe is still among the living, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10210114748078113&set=a.1534807283028.68809.1020181611&type=3

Still shouting the praises of VPI T.T.'s and SDA's!

motorstereo

Hmmm; I wonder if that's a current pic? I ended with his modded 1.2tl's in 2011. That was one heck of an interesting and very long road trip.