-edible zone-
-- Review article: The Hood: Part 2
-- This is a follow-up review to the one I wrote ("The Acrylic
Hood") back in January 2018. (Link to that article )The Hood is a clear
acrylic dustcover made specific to the Thorens TD124 turntable. (also
fits all variants of the TD124 including the TD 121,134,135 models)
-- Its defining feature is a close fitting perimeter with round
corners of a size to visually compliment - and fit closely - to the
rounded corners of the Thorens TD124 chassis. It is close fitting in
order to function with vintage-classic base plinths such as the Ortofon
ST-104 and many other plinths specific to the TD124 that do not offer
much, -if hardly any-, surface area for a dustcover to rest on. Here I
am now looking at its evolutionary replacement; also called "The Hood"
*
-- Above photo: The Hood with Cutout, revised version as of 2019
-- The evolutionary change I refer to is a more efficient production
method that eliminates the need for any cutting on the "cutout" version.
I'll explain.
-- The early version of the Hood -with cutout- was
produced first by wrapping the side wall piece completely around the
perimeter of the top plate so that its ends came together at a seam
centered to the back side of the cover. Then a cut was made to it to
create clearance for longer counterweights on the tonearms that had
them. With the new version the acrylic side wall is produced with a
single piece of acrylic in a shorter length and fit so that its wall
starts and finishes in the areas clear of the tonearm counterweight
parts.
-- Here's a shot of that first Hood I received with
cutout: (below)
*
-- Compare this photo from January 2018 to the top photo of the
revised version to see the difference.
-- Here are a couple more
photos of the revised hood.
*
-- I'm sure there are those who will say why not just make the
dustcover larger to clear any and all tonearm counterweights. And you
can. It may be just what is wanted. But for the classic vintage styles
of base plinth for the TD124, such as the Ortofon ST-104 and the oem
style plinths that were sold at your Thorens dealer back in the day, a
larger dustcover would not fit on the the top surface of it and
therefore not work at all. The photos included in this article show my
TD124 (sn#13943) mounted to a historic plinth of the type that Thorens
Dealers offered to their customers. It came to me with TD124 sn 7888.
Made from 3/4" plywood with a hardwood veneer over its exterior. (a
fresh set of mushrooms in use) This plinth is of the type I speak as
well as the Ortofon mentioned above.
In the meanwhile I've spent
some quality time with the first Hood Ferruccio sent me and have become
quite accustomed to handling it as need be and also just looking at it
as I come and go throughout the room. I find it endearing. This new
version seems to have a bit more sparkle and beauty under the light.
Lifting the Hood up and off the turntable, then placing it back on is a
simple task. I find that its close fitting side walls allow for an
accurate and repeatable fitting that I find reliably safe around my
expensive tonearm and cartridges. I always play my records with the
dustcover off the turntable and parked into the shelf just beneath the
turntable on my TT stand. The mode is lift off and put back on. During
play, one needs a place to park it safely.
*
(left: where I park mine. (hint: click thumbnail for full image)
-- Note: At this date there are more reviews coming of at least two
more different versions of The Hood.