VPI Fatboy Tonearm
 

The Fatboy Tonearm is available both in a Uni-Pivot style and a Gimbaled style and in all lengths (9, 10, 12). The Fatboy can be used with VPI's current production turntables and their legacy turntables that support their current VTA Base both standard and on the Fly.

Noticed that an online dealer is offering the following. I imagine this "trade in" is for all VPI dealers? :scratch2:

Take advantage of the VPI Tonearm Trade in Program and save:

Trade in your JMW-10-3D - Save $1349 on Fatboy!
Trade in your JMW-10-3DR- Save $1724 on Fatboy!
Trade in your JMW-12-3D - Save $1784 on Fatboy!
Trade in your JMW-12-3DR - Save $2399 on Fatboy!

https://www.soundstagedirect.com/med...vpi_fatboy.jpg

I'd like to hear some reviews, I picked up a 3D arm direct from Harry on the cheap, but even with a discount + trade-in that's a bit of a steep price IMO. I'm pretty sure that's more than I paid for my Classic 2.

Yes around $2400 with 10” 3D trade in. All Fatboys the same price regardless of length.

I am really curious to hear the 12" Fatboy arm and it is even more interesting to me because of its ability to be more compatible with a wider range of carts due to its higher effective mass of 12g.

My 12" 3D arm has an effective mass of 7.4g and find it very difficult to find compatible high compliance cartridges that match the arm correctly.

My 10" 3D are has an effective mass of 10g yet your longer arm is lighter?

Apparently the First Gen arms with the molded in finger lift are very light.

This is the same arm used on the Classic Direct and they state 7.4g in the specs.

Was in contact with Harry Weisfeld about the subject and he confirmed.

It definitely narrows down my choice of cartridges.

Just placed my order for the Fatboy - will trade my current 3D 10" towards it. Will put up for sale my second 3D arm I was keeping as a backup for my Ortofon A95.

My dealer is going through management change and not answering calls or emails so I have requested a return of funds via PayPal

Have been doing business with SoundStageDirect for 10 yrs. - I guess another Amazon casualty. Was offered a nice trade-in offer for my current JMW 10” 3D arm (more than VPI trade-in) so I took the bait. Hook was set and now hopefully PayPal can retrieve my funds.

Wow...that's crazy. Glad I avoided SoundStageDirect!

What's going on w/SSD? PM if it's not appropriate to post publicly. I've done a lot of business w/them, over a month ago ordered 3 records that never showed up. Had to ask for my money back. Seth was always a good guy to do business with.

They are done, as in out of business.

It'd be nice if they noted that on the website (or at least stopped orders).

Check out is blocked; no further orders can be placed.

Oh--that's good. The site looked totally normal to me (I didn't try anything to do with checkout).

I've had issues with SoundStageDirect as well. I only ordered LP's but it's always a struggle. I have to email multiple times and finally call to ask why the in stock items haven't been shipped. Even when pre-ordering LPs they never shipped on time.

Bottom line...Never Again!!:no::no:

That is a bummer. I checked my PayPal and on July 13th they said they were issuing me a refund, still hasn't come through. Just escalated this to PayPal. It's sad to see one of the great dealers go away.

I had read somewhere that they are technically in "limbo" and that a third party was looking at acquiring the web site and business.

As always, stay tuned, it's about as exciting as whether Krell is still in business any given week. :(

VPI Fatboy Tonearm
 

Ivan resurrected my Fatboy soul by giving me the opportunity to trade my current JMW 10” 3D arm.

Thank you sir!

:thankyouspin:

Any updates? How are folks who had the JMW 10” 3D arm comparing the Fatboy?

Awaiting mine to be manufactured

Shouldn’t be much longer now.

My dealer said mine should ship sometime next week.

Thank you Ivan for the great service

Fatboy arrived today! Thank you Ivan for the stellar service, as usual. All audio dealers should be measured by the IMSE - Ivan Messer Standard of Excellence. Now, to keep from drooling over the HW-40 just announced.

:thankyouspin:

For those who decide to order a Fatboy be sure and tell your dealer the cartridge you will be using.

Interesting, any known cartridge to avoid?

Thanks

R

Richard,
I stated the above so the dealer would know which counterweight to order with the Fatboy. I failed to inform my dealer and now we are trying to decipher which one came with my Fatboy (conflicting replies from two members within the manufacturers organization). I need a heavier one and not know for sure which one came with the Fatboy we are not quite sure which one to order (the current CW does not have any engraving on it to tell the wt.). I suppose I could remove and weigh but not sure how to remove safely and I do not have a digital scale to weigh that much wt.

Mine came with some extra weights that could be screwed to the back of existing counter weight

R

Unusual. Mine did not. I suppose I should check the deep foam crevices to see if they are buried away. Ivan is checking availability of the smaller wts.

I’m on it! ;)

http://impuestosblog.com.ar/wp-conte...ncubiertos.jpg

Cluseau!

Does anyone have any info of the Gimbal Vs. Unipivot fatboy? I know the Gimbal is easier to work with (more stable feel, easier cueing), but wondering how they are in terms of sound.

Not sure about how they compare in terms of their relative sound, but it's my understanding that the uni-pivot Fatboy includes VPI's Dual Pivot modification, so the arm should be stable and avoid the rocking typical of their earlier uni-pivot arms.

On my Avenger I have both the unipivot and the gimbal Fatboy 12”. I just love both.
Indeed the gimbal is easier to set (although the azimuth is a bit pain).

The unipivot rocking is not an issue anymore with the dual pivot upgrade

Better bass with the gimbal version

What about the top end sound? Equal or does it favor the unipivot? I know there are pros and cons to each design, but trying find out what those are for each.