How To Replace Needle On Crosley Record Player

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• Replacing the Stylus
|
• Irresolute the Cartridge

Over fourth dimension, the needle on your record player wears down, which can misconstrue the allegiance of the sound. You may also notice your records skipping more than they normally practise when the stylus, which is the bracket that the needle is connected to, needs to be replaced. There are 2 means to change the needle on your tape player. The easiest method is to supercede the stylus. The other style to supercede a needle is to change the cartridge, which is the mounting device that keeps the stylus in place. However, you shouldn't demand to do this unless the cartridge is damaged. While y'all may not need to replace your cartridge for decades, your stylus should be replaced periodically to ensure that your records sound crisp and beautiful. These methods will work for the vast bulk of tape players produced after 1980.

1. one

   Change your stylus subsequently ane,000 hours of play or every three-5 years. The stylus refers to the needle and the slice of plastic connecting it to the cartridge and tone arm. The needle and plastic are e'er continued as one piece and it is designed to be piece of cake to supersede. The stylus wears out over fourth dimension, then supersede it afterwards i,000 hours of use or afterwards 3-5 years, whichever comes first. Replacing the stylus will ensure that your sound remains accurate and your records stay safe.^[1]

   • If the stylus is worn out, you lot'll notice a scratchy, distorted sound coming out of your records when you play them. It's like shooting fish in a barrel to hear when a stylus needs to exist replaced.
   • If you continue to apply a damaged stylus, it may impairment your vinyl records.
   • The tone arm refers to the arm that you move to raise and lower your needle. The cartridge is the piece that the stylus plugs into underneath the metallic case (called a headshell). The stylus and the cartridge work together to actually read the audio coming out of a vinyl record.

2. 2

   Remove the old stylus by sliding it out carefully. Unplug the record player and hold the arm yet past pinching the headshell with your nondominant paw. And so, apply your dominant hand to grip the plastic or metal case surrounding the stylus. Pinch the sides and pull the old stylus out. Slide the stylus away from the cartridge while keeping information technology parallel to the tone arm to avoid damaging the cartridge.^[2]

   • Some turntables are different, but this will work on the vast majority of models. If you can't pull the stylus straight out, look up your turntable's model online to find the instruction manual.
   • If the stylus is built into the cartridge, y'all'll need to supersede the entire cartridge. Some styluses are built into the frame of the piece that connects to the headshell.
   • If your turntable has any locking mechanism or latch well-nigh the counter-weight at the finish of the tone arm, employ it to lock the tone arm in place while doing this.

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3. iii

   Await up your stylus's model number to order a replacement. Turn the stylus around in your hand to expect for letters or numbers. If you find any, this is the model number. Type the model number into a search engine online followed by the word "stylus." Compare your stylus to the model that you detect online to make sure that they're identical. Purchase a replacement from the manufacturer or a 3rd-party retailer.^[3]

   • You can take the stylus to a record repair shop and enquire them to look up and lodge a replacement for you, just you may not have 1 of these shops well-nigh y'all.
   • The model number will be the only piece of writing on the stylus. The model numbers are unremarkably a short combination of letters and numbers, like "A805" or "MT49." If your stylus doesn't have a model number printed on it, you'll need to search for your turntable'south model online.

4. 4

   Lodge a dissimilar type of stylus if you want to upgrade your sound. Instead of ordering a replacement stylus, look online to find compatible styluses for your turntable. There are 4 main stylus models, and each has their own benefits and drawbacks. Check a stylus manufacturer's website to find out if a new stylus will fit on your brand of turntable. Proceed in mind, unless y'all have a great ear, you may non recognize much of a difference between your stock stylus and the new needle.^[4]

   Stylus Models:
   

   Spherical, or conical styluses are the cheapest version of stylus on the market. Your original stylus is likely a spherical model. They tend to be a little larger, and may cause distortion if they can't trace smaller grooves in your vinyl records. They are cheap though, and they can be easily replaced.
   

   Elliptical styluses, also known as bi-radial styluses, are slightly amend than spherical modes. They're designed to track smaller groves more accurately, although they tend to wear out a piffling faster than spherical models.
   

   Hyperelliptical, or shibata needles offer phenomenal audio and feedback. However, they take a tendency to fall out of grooves more than often and are somewhat expensive. These styluses are frequently chosen fine line or stereohedron needles as well.
   

   Micro-ridge, or microline styules are the most advanced needles on the marketplace. They have ridges in the tip that help keep them in the grooves of a tape. Nevertheless, they tend to be extremely expensive compared to other models.

5. five

   Slide the new stylus into the cartridge with the needle pointing downwardly. Brace your record role player's tone arm with your nondominant hand by holding the headshell still. And then, orient your stylus so that the needle is pointing down and abroad from the tone arm. Slide the stylus into the cartridge and press it into the slot until yous hear a click. One time the new stylus is attached, you're gear up to relish your records!^[5]

   • Wear rubber gloves when you lot handle your new stylus and avoid touching the needle. The stylus is perfectly aligned when it comes out of the box and touching it may damage the needle'due south power to accurately rail the grooves in a record.
   • Some styluses won't make a clicking racket. And so long as the stylus is fastened and flush with the slot on the cartridge, you should be fine.

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1. i

   Supersede your cartridge if your old piece is damaged. Cartridges typically last a longer time than styluses, and you really don't need to supplant a cartridge unless information technology's damaged. However, subsequently the stylus, the cartridge is the well-nigh probable piece to require replacement. The cartridge and stylus work together to produce audio from your records then information technology is extremely important that your cartridge is working properly.^[vi]

   • Y'all can tell if your cartridge is damaged if the sound cuts in and out. It definitely needs to be replaced if you already changed the stylus and the sound is even so distorted.
   • Many audiophiles believe that upgrading the cartridge improves the sound. You lot probably won't notice much of a difference though, unless you have a groovy ear for subtle tones and textures.

2. 2

   Buy a replacement cartridge online by searching for your turntable. While most cartridges can only agree a specific type of stylus, many record players can use a diversity of cartridges. Search your turntable'due south brand and model number online to wait for a replacement. Y'all can purchase a cartridge that is identical to the original model or upgrade your sound system with a fancier substitute.^[7]

   • When looking to upgrade your cartridge, look for cartridges with an aluminum cantilever and a trackability of threescore µm or college. Aluminum cantilevers tend to be the virtually consistent, while a high trackability will ensure accurate sound.

   Variation: If you have an entry-level model and don't encounter any wires sticking out under the headshell, your cartridge likely snaps into identify. This is a common design for Crosley, Audio Technica, or Sony turntables. These cartridges are automatically aligned and don't need to exist adjusted.^[8]
   i. Unplug your record role player.
   2. Endeavour pulling on the cartridge gently to see if information technology pops off. If it doesn't, try turning the bracket in between the cartridge and the tone arm counterclockwise to loosen it. In one case this bracket is loose, your cartridge will pop out of the slot.
   3. Accept your replacement cartridge and line information technology upwardly with your tone arm and so that the stylus is pointing out. Slide the cartridge into the opening so that the 4 prongs on the cartridge slide into the iv slots in the tone arm. If y'all had to twist the bracket in between the cartridge and tone arm to get the onetime cartridge out, twist the bracket in the reverse direction to tighten the new piece.
   iv. Press the cartridge into the slots until you hear a clicking dissonance to finish replacing your cartridge.^[9]

3. 3

   Remove the stylus and disconnect the wires if necessary. Unplug your record role player. Take the stylus out of the cartridge by bracing the headshell and sliding it out by hand. If you have a college-end record player and can see wires under the headshell, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to gently pull each of the 4 wires out of the back of the cartridge. Only employ equally much pressure as necessary to slide each wire out of the slot that connects the cartridge to the tone arm.^[x]

   • At that place is a plastic sleeve that covers the connection where the wire meets the metal terminal at the end. Use this slice to grip and pull your wires. It volition provide a lot of traction without messing with the sensitive terminals at the terminate of each wire.
   • Set your stylus aside afterward removing it by placing it upside down on a clean towel to go on information technology safe.
   • You can put on condom gloves and pull these wires out past hand if y'all take a steady hand and plenty of room to work with.
   • If you curve the terminals that plug into the cartridge, yous'll need to have your record histrion to an electronics repair store.

   Tip: The wires are color-coded. Blue and green are the left and correct grounds, while white and ruby-red are the left and correct positives. If the slots on your cartridge aren't color-coded, draw a elementary diagram of the club of the wires so that you can reinsert them in the proper slots. The colors are often labeled with letters: G (green), R (red), H (white), and L (blue).

4. four

   Use a small flathead screwdriver to remove the screws on elevation. There are 2 screws connecting the cartridge to the headshell. Grab a flathead screwdriver with a minor head. Hold the tone arm in place with your nondominant mitt and unscrew these screws by turning them counterclockwise. With the screws removed, slide the cartridge out of the slot by paw.^[eleven]

   • If yous have washers and basics on the screws, set up them bated in a small basin so that y'all don't lose them.

5. 5

   Hold your new cartridge's screw slots under the headshell if it'due south screwed in. Take your new cartridge and hold information technology past the back half as you printing it into the bottom of the headshell. Adjust the location of the cartridge until the openings at the top of the headshell marshal with the screw slots for your new cartridge.^[12]

   • You won't damage your cartridge by touching it then long as you don't press on the location where the stylus slides into the front. Hold your cartridge past the back end to avoid damaging this area.

6. 6

   Align your cartridge so that the sides are affluent with the headshell. Before you spiral your new cartridge into the headshell, adjust the location of the cartridge to align the needle with the tone arm. To do this, place your fingers around the sides of the cartridge while bracing it from the bottom. Once the sides of your cartridge are affluent with the headshell, check the front end of the cartridge to see if it matches the pinnacle of the headshell. Adjust it equally needed until the two sides and the front of your cartridge friction match the headshell.^[13]

   • Y'all can utilize an alignment protractor to check the path of your stylus. To utilize one, place your grid over the slot on the platform for your records. Then, place the needle in the middle of the grid. If your cartridge is parallel with the lines on the protractor, your stylus is aligned.

7. 7

   Insert your new screws and attach the cartridge to the headshell. Insert your replacement screws into the openings at the top of the headshell. If your model has washers and nuts, put the washers over the screws outset before adding your nuts. Utilize your flathead screwdriver to tighten each of the screws while property the cartridge in place with your nondominant paw. Turn the screws clockwise until they won't turn any further to ensure that your cartridge stays firmly in place while you're using your record role player.^[14]

   • These screws are really minor and the slots for them can be quite fickle. This may take yous a few tries to get it right.
   • If there isn't a ton of room for you to reinsert your wires, it may help to not tighten the screws all the way and so that you can move the cartridge around a little.

8. eight

   Reinsert the wires into the corresponding slots on the cartridge. Gripping each piece by the plastic sleeve, use your pliers to carefully slide each wire into the assigned slots on the cartridge. Keep each terminal on the end of each wire every bit direct every bit you lot tin as yous slide it into the slot. These wires can be quite sensitive, and so work slowly and carefully to ensure that you lot aren't applying too much force per unit area.^[15]

   • If the new cartridge isn't color-coded or labelled, use your diagram or refer to the old cartridge to see which gild you need to insert the wires.

9. nine

   Reattach your stylus to finish replacing the cartridge. With your wires connected and the screws tightened, reinstall your stylus. Concur it around the side of the case and slide it into the opening at the front of the cartridge. Once you hear a click, your stylus is attached. Bask your new cartridge and stylus!^[16]

   • Many cartridges come up with new styluses already installed. If your cartridge comes with a stylus, don't bother replacing it unless you lot have to.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How practise I modify both a cartridge and stylus for a Realistic Lab 390 Direct Drive Turntable?

  

  The complete head assembly is held in place by the metal collar at the dorsum of the head. Plough it counterclockwise looking from the back (forth the arm). It should but turn about a quarter plow and so the head unplug. The cartridge itself is held in place by two screws. The electrical connections by four pigtails which should just pull off the back of the cartridge, but be careful, they are thin. Pull them off while the cartridge is notwithstanding fitted simply it is easier to plug onto the new one before bolting it down. Wiring is acme pins to top pins, lesser to bottom but left to right cross over.

• Question

  Are in that location universal needles that can fit out-of-production record players? (In my case RIZ Turandot 41.)

  

  Rudy Toth

  Customs Answer

  Accept y'all tried any good online store outlets? Try to search for the same matter as yous mentioned in those search bars while being online of those specific stores.

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• If the sound isn't quite correct, check the frame of the cartridge to run across if information technology'southward aligned with the headshell. If you install the cartridge at an bending, information technology won't sound right. Loosen the screws on top and motility the cartridge to adjust information technology.

• A phonograph, record player, and turntable are withal thing.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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• Always unplug your record player when touching the cartridge or the stylus to avoid shocking yourself.

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Things Yous'll Need

• Rubber gloves

• Rubber gloves
• Pliers

About This Commodity

Article Summary X

If the sound on your tape actor has get distorted or your records take begun to skip, you may need to change the needle. You'll want to change your stylus, which is the needle and the piece of plastic connecting it to the cartridge, later on 1 one thousand hours of play or every 3 to 5 years. Before removing the old stylus, unplug your tape thespian and hold the arm yet. Then, grip the plastic or metal case effectually the stylus, pinch the sides, and pull the old stylus out. When you're set up to put the new stylus in, brace your record player's tone arm and hold your stylus and then the needle is pointing down and abroad from it. Slide the stylus into the cartridge and press it into the slot until yous hear a click. To learn how to order a different kind of stylus to upgrade your audio, go along reading!

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