how do you know if you need a new needle for turntable?

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  • cmaliszecmalisze Posts: 2,634
    OK people, Hi-Fi is up early to unscrew all the weekends internet sales and answer all of your "I got a new turntable and I don't hear anything coming out of the speakers....or the famous, how do I hook this thing up to that thing (Go ahead and giggle now).....HI-Fidelity is planning on setting a new personal record of 7 hours of work today (NOT likely, I gotta get out of Dodge City before dark, or else I might get robbed for my Safeway bag that I now have to carry my shit in after the last robbery :lol: , so ask away and I will do my best to unscramble the egg. I owe someone a list of decent decks, which I have, that I will post at a more reasonable hour. HI FIDELITY IS ON THE JOB!!!!!!
    And for your morning enjoyment, another clip from the shop

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_-iZYIofU


    If that goes on in the shop then I am moving there and going to be filling out an application ASAP.
  • cmalisze wrote:
    OK people, Hi-Fi is up early to unscrew all the weekends internet sales and answer all of your "I got a new turntable and I don't hear anything coming out of the speakers....or the famous, how do I hook this thing up to that thing (Go ahead and giggle now).....HI-Fidelity is planning on setting a new personal record of 7 hours of work today (NOT likely, I gotta get out of Dodge City before dark, or else I might get robbed for my Safeway bag that I now have to carry my shit in after the last robbery :lol: , so ask away and I will do my best to unscramble the egg. I owe someone a list of decent decks, which I have, that I will post at a more reasonable hour. HI FIDELITY IS ON THE JOB!!!!!!
    And for your morning enjoyment, another clip from the shop

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_-iZYIofU


    If that goes on in the shop then I am moving there and going to be filling out an application ASAP.

    You sir are always welcome in my shop. The application involves listing your top 5 albums/NO PJ (It's just not fair, all 5 would be PJ). Go for it and we will see. The 2 regular employees live in the apartment above the shop, and there is one open apartment vacant. REMEMBER, TOP 5, YOUR JOB IS ON THE LINE HERE!!!
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • GB45499GB45499 Posts: 232
    Love this thread...

    A co-worker of mine has a used Gemini XL-200 and claims it only needs a new needle. He will sell it to me as is for $40. Since I know Jack Squat about turntables, is this a good deal? I can't seem to find the needle online...much less find out how much that is.

    What else would I need with an additional $200 budget to get my ears to smile? I'm thinking a receiver and headphones maybe? Again, I'm completely new to all of this...be gentle. :)
  • GB45499 wrote:
    Love this thread...

    A co-worker of mine has a used Gemini XL-200 and claims it only needs a new needle. He will sell it to me as is for $40. Since I know Jack Squat about turntables, is this a good deal? I can't seem to find the needle online...mucho less find out how much that is.

    What else would I need with an additional $200 budget to get my ears to smile? I'm thinking a receiver and headphones maybe? Again, I'm completely new to all of this...be gentle. :)

    Well, it's mainly a cheap DJ deck that will NOT make you smile. Its basically crap, disguIsed as a deck. Gemini also discontinued It, so good luck on parts. Also, they discontinued it for a reason. ;) It's a belt drive, and your buddy probably worked it like a spare rib, so the drive system is irreplaceable. I wouldn't take a free one, I would end up doing the back alley frisbee with it. For 2 bills, we can do MUCH better, don't waste your first 40 beans on a big paper weight. I will post a list of quality decks en la mañana. We actually sold shit today, requiring work, which I am not very good at. On a good note, we only had 1 Neil Diamond question, which one of my better employees handled quite well. He told the gentleman that Neil Diamond was playing tonight in Vegas, and he was better off flying to see him! I love my job!
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • This thread is good stuff. Thank you to High Fidelity(the venerate of vinyl?) for the laughs and sharing of your knowledge. Very sorry to hear about the vermin that robbed you :evil: I have been interested in Buddhism for years, but haven't actually got around to sitting much, but isn't that the hardest part? :D

    As with Suziemay, I'm also diving back into the vinyl world and buyng a turntable soon. I've been reading about some of the entry level pro-ject, music hall and rega's among others and would love to get your thoughts. I have serious space issues, so I'm going to just be buying a turntable and some powered speakers to keep my better half happy.

    I get that you don't want to plaster your store name all over here, but yours is the exact kind of place I'd love to shop! I have family out in MA, and I thought I remember from a few pages back that you're out east somewhere.
  • MK1980MK1980 Posts: 291
    What if you're getting static in just one channel? Also sometimes that channel cuts out altogether and i have to lighly tap the front right hand corner of the deck to get the signal flowing to that channel again? It's the right hand channel. Is it the needle or is it something far more costly to repair?
    How I choose to feel is how I am...I will not lose my faith, It's an inside job today.
    Manchester Aug 17th 2009
    Hyde Park June 25th 2010
    Manchester June 20th & 21st 2012
    Leeds July 14th 2014
  • MK1980 wrote:
    What if you're getting static in just one channel? Also sometimes that channel cuts out altogether and i have to lighly tap the front right hand corner of the deck to get the signal flowing to that channel again? It's the right hand channel. Is it the needle or is it something far more costly to repair?

    Hola amigo, you got problems, and it isn't the needle. There are at least 4 wire leads coming from your needle, right , left, ground, power, etc... and if you have to karate kid (not recommended) that old girl to get the right channel to work, we have a loose connection, or, hopefully, a loose right speaker wire. First check that. Its most likely not that, but start at A, and move to Z. Send me the make and model, I will pull the schematics and we will fix this in the morning, after meditation. I'm guessing its a loose connection somewhere between the stylus and the board. Try looking at the underside of your stylus/cartridge to make sure that all the underwires are affixed securely. loosly fiddle with them, DON'T PULL, and see what happens. If you are cracking the shiat out of the right corner, that may be it. If not, I can explain how to pull the table and re-solder the right channel. NO BIG DEAL, NO PANICKING! Todo esta bueno amigo. Later skater, Hi-Fi
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • weinerdog wrote:
    This thread is good stuff. Thank you to High Fidelity(the venerate of vinyl?) for the laughs and sharing of your knowledge. Very sorry to hear about the vermin that robbed you :evil: I have been interested in Buddhism for years, but haven't actually got around to sitting much, but isn't that the hardest part? :D

    As with Suziemay, I'm also diving back into the vinyl world and buyng a turntable soon. I've been reading about some of the entry level pro-ject, music hall and rega's among others and would love to get your thoughts. I have serious space issues, so I'm going to just be buying a turntable and some powered speakers to keep my better half happy.

    I get that you don't want to plaster your store name all over here, but yours is the exact kind of place I'd love to shop! I have family out in MA, and I thought I remember from a few pages back that you're out east somewhere.

    I don't advertise on here because it's just not appropriate. I don't need money, I just want to help people. Regarding your new Suzie Q deck, I am compiling a list of GOOD tables at REASONABLE prices that I will post. Powered Bose Companion 2 speakers (computer speakers, work GREAT for limited space. Get them cheap at Costco or Sams.) Make sure they have 2 inputs, so you can run your deck and your iTunes from your computer without doing wire surgery. Regarding Maine, I close the shop for a week in late July/early August (assuming the boys are not touring) and the whole shop road trips to Rockland for Lobsterfest. I usually skate out and go to Acadia for peace, but we should meet up. I am a bad drinking Buddhist. :lol:
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • Hi-Fi is tired, good night my friends.
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • MK1980MK1980 Posts: 291
    Not loose speaker wire, and not the four connectors from needle. The make and model are: Saisho PM 202T.
    Thank you so much dude!
    How I choose to feel is how I am...I will not lose my faith, It's an inside job today.
    Manchester Aug 17th 2009
    Hyde Park June 25th 2010
    Manchester June 20th & 21st 2012
    Leeds July 14th 2014
  • MK1980 wrote:
    Not loose speaker wire, and not the four connectors from needle. The make and model are: Saisho PM 202T.
    Thank you so much dude!

    No worries, I know what the issue is, I just gotta pull the schematic in the AM, no worries, Hi-fi
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • MK1980 wrote:
    Not loose speaker wire, and not the four connectors from needle. The make and model are: Saisho PM 202T.
    Thank you so much dude!

    Regarding the Saisho PM 202T, I would purchase a paddle, because you may be up the creek (NOT Dawson's) :roll: Well, I pulled the zen diagram for your deck, and my Mandarin Chinese skills are poor. It would be better if it came in Tibetan, but no go there. So, it's time to operate. Let me know when you got the time and I will post the fix.
    Also, I speculate your deck is pre-1986, so parts are tough. First thing we are going to need is a small torch and some solder, a screwdriver (Phillips) and some bravery (Sounds like last night :lol: ) We are going to have to re-solder your connection on the main board. From what I have read, your old girl was NOT the best made and may qualify for the annual frisbee in the alley toss at my shop, but before we smash it, lets try and fix it! Or at least burn your fingers!! Have you worked with solder before???
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • MK1980 wrote:
    Not loose speaker wire, and not the four connectors from needle. The make and model are: Saisho PM 202T.
    Thank you so much dude!

    No worries, I know what the issue is, I just gotta pull the schematic in the AM, no worries, Hi-fi

    A sledge hammer may also be necessary!
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • Fix...Fix...Fix the Black Circle....Fix...Fix... :lol::lol::lol:

    I HATE POST CHRISTMAS CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :evil: BAD BUDDHA IS COMING OUT AT 10:30.....NOT GOOD
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • So thats it, i'm leaving early. Some d-bag just came in the shop with a first pressing Doors album I sold him and wanted to argue that it was VG+ and not EX-, as advertised. So I threw it on my deck and.....wait for it.....Crystal clear! I kindly told him I generally under-grade to prevent D-bags like him from complaining. Now it grades an EX+, which increases the value from $40.00US to $49.95US. I told him he owed me $10.00. I don't think he will be coming back. :lol:
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • MK1980MK1980 Posts: 291
    Got the torch, soldering iron and philips head screw driver. i searched the garage but couldn't find any solder. Will have to buy some tomorrow!
    How I choose to feel is how I am...I will not lose my faith, It's an inside job today.
    Manchester Aug 17th 2009
    Hyde Park June 25th 2010
    Manchester June 20th & 21st 2012
    Leeds July 14th 2014
  • EPIC MORNING, EPIC EPIC EPIC ROLLING STONES MORNING. I have been looking for a first TEST pressing of Hot Rocks for 12 years, with the alternate versions of Wild Horses and Brown Sugar. ONE OF THE RAREST ALBUMS EVER. It was pressed on 1 day, from the test plate, then pulled in order to put the "Single" version of Horses and Stones on it. A few made it out. You can tell an original by looking at the deadwax on side 4. You will see the script "shlley" and the date 11/18/71, plus other more secretive authentication methods. I couldn't believe it. I interrupted our morning PJ fix (Yield) to play it, and NO SHIT, it's AUTHENTIC. THE ALTERNATE VERSIONS :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D "NOT FOR SALE, EVER, DO NOT EVEN ASK" is the sign it will hang above!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWW
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • MK1980MK1980 Posts: 291
    Got the solder ready to fix it!
    How I choose to feel is how I am...I will not lose my faith, It's an inside job today.
    Manchester Aug 17th 2009
    Hyde Park June 25th 2010
    Manchester June 20th & 21st 2012
    Leeds July 14th 2014
  • En La Manana Amigo, I just got back from an all day auction, I will be in the shop around noon to post the fix. Later, Hi-Fi
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • I'm seriously getting tired of looking at this Forum with all the complaining.....ENOUGH PEOPLE. Get a grip. EVERYONE IS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN!!!!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, QUIT. PJ should write a song called "ENTITLED"!!! HI-FI will not dispense any more free vinyl advice or entertaining shop stories until the complaining ceases!!!! It's almost as bad as getting robbed at gunpoint (see my previous posts, I was robbed at gunpoint). It's just painful. LEAVE 10C alone. Where's my shirt...vinyl....dvd....all the other shit....ENOUGH! It's Green Disease ALL OVER THIS PLACE. Like they control the postal service in whatever country people live in....Right? WE ALL WAIT....most of us patiently. If you want to bitch and complain, e-mail them. STOP CLOGGING UP WHAT SHOULD BE AN OTHERWISE BLISSFUL PLACE. Ya know, it takes quite a bit to piss off a Buddhist, but congratulations to all the complainers!
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • cmaliszecmalisze Posts: 2,634
    I'm seriously getting tired of looking at this Forum with all the complaining.....ENOUGH PEOPLE. Get a grip. EVERYONE IS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN!!!!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, QUIT. PJ should write a song called "ENTITLED"!!! HI-FI will not dispense any more free vinyl advice or entertaining shop stories until the complaining ceases!!!! It's almost as bad as getting robbed at gunpoint (see my previous posts, I was robbed at gunpoint). It's just painful. LEAVE 10C alone. Where's my shirt...vinyl....dvd....all the other shit....ENOUGH! It's Green Disease ALL OVER THIS PLACE. Like they control the postal service in whatever country people live in....Right? WE ALL WAIT....most of us patiently. If you want to bitch and complain, e-mail them. STOP CLOGGING UP WHAT SHOULD BE AN OTHERWISE BLISSFUL PLACE. Ya know, it takes quite a bit to piss off a Buddhist, but congratulations to all the complainers!


    NOOOOO!!!!! Hi-Fi say it aint so.....keep going please pretty please. One rotten apple does not spoil the bunch. Or in the case of this forum a few 10 or 20 does not spoil this club!!!!
  • Longest RoadLongest Road Posts: 264
    edited December 2011
    :roll: , just venting....this place is silly. I'm just tired of seeing all the grey threads because people can't just behave. JUST BE NICE!!!!!!!!!!! Free advice/stories will still be shared. It wouldn't be fair to quit on you. You had me at "Hi-Fidelity". :lol:
    Post edited by Longest Road on
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • Longest RoadLongest Road Posts: 264
    edited December 2011
    MK1980 wrote:
    Got the solder ready to fix it!

    Ok buddy, the fix on this is complicated, and I don't feel like writing a novel on this, so just PM me your number and a time to call and I will explain while we fix it together. Cool? Or, I can give you my shop #, but catching me on any given day can be hard.
    Post edited by Longest Road on
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • SuziemaySuziemay Posts: 11,168
    You has me at "Hi-Fidelity"
    :lol::lol::lol: It's ok to take a break every now and then too if it gets too much for you.
  • cmaliszecmalisze Posts: 2,634
    Whew I was nervous! Glad you're back!
  • :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
    cmalisze wrote:
    Whew I was nervous! Glad you're back!
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • cmalisze wrote:
    Whew I was nervous! Glad you're back!
    Guess who's getting some Soundgarden/Beatles albums..... :D:D:D :shock: :shock:
    I love Free .99 Day.....
    I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room.
  • cmaliszecmalisze Posts: 2,634
    cmalisze wrote:
    Whew I was nervous! Glad you're back!
    Guess who's getting some Soundgarden/Beatles albums..... :D:D:D :shock: :shock:
    I love Free .99 Day.....

    no way!!!! whoever gets those albums very well be the luckiest guy around. He also believes he has a new friend somewhere on the east coast! :D:D:D
  • DJ253147DJ253147 Posts: 671
    Great thread. I'm just getting back into my vinyl collection. I have a Yamaha Direct Drive Turntable YP 801 BL that I purchased new in about 1979. Seem to be missing the dust cover as it was placed in one of those stereo stands in mid 80's then I went to CD's, about 1987 and the table and my vinyl collection have been in storage ever since. There's a Shure cartridge mounted on it with the price tag still on it. I've got Hot Rocks too but the likelyhood of it being anything special seems remote but I'll check.
  • cmaliszecmalisze Posts: 2,634
    DJ253147 wrote:
    Great thread. I'm just getting back into my vinyl collection. I have a Yamaha Direct Drive Turntable YP 801 BL that I purchased new in about 1979. Seem to be missing the dust cover as it was placed in one of those stereo stands in mid 80's then I went to CD's, about 1987 and the table and my vinyl collection have been in storage ever since. There's a Shure cartridge mounted on it with the price tag still on it. I've got Hot Rocks too but the likelyhood of it being anything special seems remote but I'll check.

    Exactly right! This thread is by far one of the best....Hi-Fi is the all out man when it comes to anything turntable/vinyl. This thread has been the enabler for my new (healthy) addiction. My other addiction is sweets but that isn't so healthy. :lol::lol:
This discussion has been closed.