My turntable is playing a tad slow...it makes every record sound warped!

Your terminology confuses.

Point 1. Why to you say, "Stuck?" Does it not make sense as a possiblity that the designers sought to prevent rotaton speed from being changed mid playback, especially on, say, an LP (long play) album with different side (stereo instead of 45 monaural) grooving. What would be the imperative of changing record speed in that manner...only one record type will play at a time. If changer, only one type record seriies can be played, all at the same speed.

Point 2. ...about "pitch...wildly out by about +7.

First, what are you meaning by pitch and by + (not -) 7. Since there is, to my knowlege, no record spin criterion known as pitch, are you referring to spin speed; hence to playback sound frequency, whether steady state or variable? If there is no user control of platter rotation speed on your unitn there would be little you can do other than to ensure all parts above and below platter are running smoothly with no drag or interference...possibly even lightening the record load on the platter, if a changer; and making sure records are clean to prevent slippage by washing with water or soap and water and air drying--avoid label. If your turntable is optically speed controlled (by timing marks on platter rim) those are typically adjustable to hasten or slow platter speed and therefore playback frequency pitch to your liking. "Wild variation" could reflect mechanical impedance as indicated above. Also check for record warping by trying known true record playback. Finallly, wild variation could be indicator of platter motor end of life cycle. Start pricing a motor if nothing helps.

I still don't follow the significance of the speculative(?) 7. Please explain if possible.

Direct drive turntables have electronically controlled speed. If the records you are playing are warped (not flat) that will cause wow & flutter. If that's not the problem then you might try connecting the turntable to a different power outlet using a long extension cord. Failing that, the turntable needs repair.

Some turntables have speed pre-sets located underneath the turntable.

it will be the turntable speed not exact
quality turntables have bars all around the circumference and when the speed is correct under a fluro light those bars will appear as stationary or using a strobe light set at 50 or 60 cycles a sec
bars going anticlockwise are too fast and moving forward are too slow
quality tables have a small knob or screw to adjust motor speed

You should look for an anti-skate control on the turntable and adjust that. It will be a question of trial and error with it as there is no fixed rules for these. The weight on the back of the arm should be set to the weight of your cartridge.

You may be experiencing Acoustic Feedback, although it doesn't really make any sense the way you describe it. Make sure the tonearm is balanced and the proper weight is dialed in on same. Does it make any difference if the volume or bass are turned down, which my point to the Acoustic Feedback.

There should be a weight on the end of the arm, this needs to be adjusted. Some have numbers on them, increase the number shown. To get it to work right you will have to do it by trial and error. Increasing the weight in small steps, then playing a record. The trick being so it stays in the groove, but not too much so it rumbles on the sound. You will need to repeat the process several times till it sounds right and stays in the groove.

Hello Rosie,

Some turntables have a pitch adjustment feature which allows you to speed up or slow down your records. The adjustment controller is usually a slider or a wheel somewhere on the turntable and is usually labelled "Pitch" "Adjust / Adj" or "Pitch Adj".

Please check for this feature on your turntable then get back to me if you are unable to find it. Please include the brand and model number of your turntable.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
BElectric

It would sound like the speed control is not functioning and changing speed up and down. That might sound like a warped record as you describe it. You can try moving the controls and cleaning them with a commercial contact cleaner.

not passing the "wow and flutter" specs, eh?
The most common cause of this is a loose or defective belt. An inferior belt will have varying thicknesses along it's length. When it hits a skinny part, it will slow slightly. When it hits the thick part, it will speed slightly. Overall effect is that the record sounds warped.
needledoctor.com has got some good stuff.