YOU hear the name “Fatboy” and what comes to mind immediately? An iconic American motorbike, for sure! And this is also the name VPI Industries has chosen for its new tonearms – the JMW Fatboy, available in unipivot and gimbal versions.
The tonearms will be launched at the Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) exhibition in Schaumburg, Illinois, this weekend (April 13-15), where VPI will be showing the production models in different exhibitor rooms. The Fatboy can be used with non-VPI ‘tables as well.
According to VPI, “The availability of unipivot and gimbal options is to provide arm option styles for all listeners.
“The Fatboy adds a new level adjustment to the VPI type tonearm. On the unipivot flavour, you can adjust azimuth using the the side arm tube setscrews, the adjustable side weights, or the included dual pivot.
“By having the combination of a 3D printed tube with the fine machined back stock, it creates the perfect balance of precision and balance for your tonearm. The fine adjustable counterweight makes cartridge set-up easier than ever.”
The Fatboy models are now available only in 12-inch versions, but will be released later in 10-inch and 9-inch versions as well. They retail at US$4,000 each and are backwards compatible with all VPI turntables, apart from the Traveler and Nomads V1 (serious DIY work required if you want to mount the Fatboy on these two).
“Fatboy”. That’s what my cock is called.