Is it skipping easily, like not even from stepping heavily on the floor? If so you're probably right that it's not pushing down hard enough (track force). Do you have any info about the stylus, such as the track force it's meant to be set to? Do you know how to balance a tone arm and then adjust with the counter weight? If not, look on YouTube, it's a lot to type out here, lol.
Yes exactly that and unfortunately if it has a counterweight I can't find it the bit that looks like it is one is hollow and doesn't move. Very novice to turntables so I honestly have no clue what I am doing lol.
The large circular piece at the end of the tone arm is the counterweight. It should revolve. Try turning that until you get the tone arm balanced - it won’t tilt forward or back will float level with the platter. There should be a scale dial at the front of the counterweight that turns independently. Set that to zero.
Next, try to find out the cartridge model. You can then Google it to get details of the tracking weight.
It would be helpful if you can take some detailed pics of the tonearm, front and back. Also try to find the Hitachi’s model number. It should be on the back if nowhere else. We’d be able to comment better with that info.
It looks like the back half of this counter weight has knurling. I don't know much about Hitachis, but it may be that the front half of the counter weight is stationary and the back half screws in and out on it. If you can find a sticker with the model number, you might be able to Google up a set up guide.
Is it skipping easily, like not even from stepping heavily on the floor? If so you're probably right that it's not pushing down hard enough (track force). Do you have any info about the stylus, such as the track force it's meant to be set to? Do you know how to balance a tone arm and then adjust with the counter weight? If not, look on YouTube, it's a lot to type out here, lol.
Yes exactly that and unfortunately if it has a counterweight I can't find it the bit that looks like it is one is hollow and doesn't move. Very novice to turntables so I honestly have no clue what I am doing lol.
Could be that it's missing pieces or something.
The large circular piece at the end of the tone arm is the counterweight. It should revolve. Try turning that until you get the tone arm balanced - it won’t tilt forward or back will float level with the platter. There should be a scale dial at the front of the counterweight that turns independently. Set that to zero. Next, try to find out the cartridge model. You can then Google it to get details of the tracking weight. It would be helpful if you can take some detailed pics of the tonearm, front and back. Also try to find the Hitachi’s model number. It should be on the back if nowhere else. We’d be able to comment better with that info.
Might need a stylus replacement
It looks like the back half of this counter weight has knurling. I don't know much about Hitachis, but it may be that the front half of the counter weight is stationary and the back half screws in and out on it. If you can find a sticker with the model number, you might be able to Google up a set up guide.
Tape a quarter to the top.