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

Longest Road wrote:

ItIsAllAboutPJ wrote:

Longest Road wrote:

OK, I own a 50,000+ record shop, so I may have this one kinda right. It really depends if you take care of your stylus/needle/cartridge, is it a smoke free house (yes, it does matter), speed (again, it matters, are you spinning your prized 1993 X-mas single at 45 on repeat all day?" and if you clean your vinyl with an anti-static like a "Audioquest" anti-static record cleaner PRIOR to spinning the black circle. Is it a bent or straight arm belt drive or a POS Crosley from Target (Sorry to all the Crosley owners, although they make good home record cleaners . I guess if you don't want to get all technical or want a complicated answer (PM me for the complicated answer, with make, model, drive system, etc...)look at the needle. First off, does it have a dust bunny the size of a grape on it (don't laugh, I have had people bring in tables to my shop and say "It just does not sound right!". Well, it could be that HUGE ball of S&%T on your needle. SO Anti-static will save some life. I generally run a Toshiba Belt Drive Fully Auto bent arm SR-F451 in the shop all day. I clean my needle EVERY COUPLE OF HOURS, or I would go bankrupt on needles, and the wife (warden) will NOT be living in an alley. This is not hard, just get a very small brush, (the one that comes in the "Discwasher" record cleaning system is good, and also a cheap way to clean your vinyl. When cleaning the needle, first GENTLY knock off the dust ball, then GENTLY, without disturbing the needle angle, brush the needle IN THE DIRECTION THE RECORD SPINS, or right to left. If you want a good understanding of "Gentle", turn on the turntable first. If it sounds like you are paving a asphalt road when you brush the needle, lay off a bit. This solves about half of all "High Frequency Loss" problems. If its diamond, every 750 hours is OK. Take a look at Needle Doctor's web site, they also will help. Also, and this is obvious, if the needle is "Crushed" or angled too far into the cartridge, it's toast. DON"T bend it back out, total waste of time. Later Skater, I have customers buying Neil Diamond albums that I need to berate.

Thanks Longest Road,
That is some really great, detailed information and you even succeeded in making me laugh a couple of times. So what do you recommend as the best record cleaner, is it Gruv Glide?
I'm glad you're doing well with the record shop, that's a dream profession.

For home record aficionados, The best and cheapest record cleaner that actually works is "The Spin Clean Record Washer System" (No, I am not affiliated with them in any way). You can get it for $79.00 at Amazon, don't pay more than that. Ow, and buy some extra fluid, the bottle it comes with is tiny. Now, if you are running a 50,000+ operation like me, you have to spend upwards of $1,400.00 to get anything done with any sort of urgency. Mine was over $1400.00, and has all the bells and whistles, which quite honestly, you don't need unless your mortgage depends on it, and my wife has made it very clear that 1.) this is a business, not a collection, and 2.) We will not be living in an alley, so I better make money. (She is a doctor, so, really, I just kinda keep the employees from burning down the shop.) Most of my friends call me "The International Man of Leisure", which is not too far off base. When Pearl Jam tours, I go, to all! Regarding "Stylus Cleaner", I personally would not waste my money. It's a F%^#*&G diamond, or in some cases a sapphire. There is no reason to spend money on a deodorant stick that will MAYBE give you 2 extra spins. Bottom Line: CLEAN and Anti Static your precious Benayora Hall Wine Vinyl (Mine is 146) and you will be cool. Don't waste precious ticket money on crap. Ow, and if you attempt at any time to put a Britney Spears record in the Spin Cleaner, IT WILL EXPLODE, VOID THE WARRANTY, AND MOST LIKELY TAKE OUT AN EYE. Viva La Vinyl

You are one lucky man!! Your wife must really love you!

I've printed out all of your great info, thanks again.
I love the Benayora Hall store. I read it on that thread, I knew your avatar looked familiar.
Does your shop have a web site? I know I'll never make it over that way. My brother lives in Maine and that's about as close as I'd get. It sure sounds like a fun place to hang out.

Cheers, enjoy your holiday!

As a very new vinyl collector and owner of a pretty sweet 1960's Sears Silvertone Hi-Fi I do not think that it is running all the best. I took it to a local electronics repairman and he cleaned the knobs and what not and said it was ready to go. So, I went to a local antique dealer here in Iowa City and purchased what seemed to be an original print of "Ten" took it home and it skipped badly. He has a guarantee on all his vinyl and before I gave it up for the return he played it on his turntable and of coure no skips. So, I kept it. It was only $10 and I was excited. I am contemplating purchasing a new turntable for my receiver. But, now I am listening to The Band's "Greatest Hits" and it is not skipping. Please any suggestions? Thanks

cmalisze wrote:

As a very new vinyl collector and owner of a pretty sweet 1960's Sears Silvertone Hi-Fi I do not think that it is running all the best. I took it to a local electronics repairman and he cleaned the knobs and what not and said it was ready to go. So, I went to a local antique dealer here in Iowa City and purchased what seemed to be an original print of "Ten" took it home and it skipped badly. He has a guarantee on all his vinyl and before I gave it up for the return he played it on his turntable and of coure no skips. So, I kept it. It was only $10 and I was excited. I am contemplating purchasing a new turntable for my receiver. But, now I am listening to The Band's "Greatest Hits" and it is not skipping. Please any suggestions? Thanks

check the tracking weight?
weight adjustment

just skip to 3:30 ... it's not as hard as he babbles for three minutes about.
Maybe Mr. High Fidelity can chime in here a bit on this.\

to TRY and take a stab at WHY one album would skip and another album would not ...

an older album ... (particularly if it was played a LOT or played by someone who did not set his tracking force correctly) is subject to having the grooves worn out ... which could lead to aggravated skipping.

Mr. High Fidelity?

Ow, I see I am known as Mr. High Fidelity now You are also welcome in my shop! But i will keep a close eye on you :geek: :shock: I suspect you have some Tom Jones on your iPod, and if you read my earlier post regarding the shop dog, BEWARE I am going to the mountains for the weekend (I meditate (I'm Buddhist) that my employees will not burn down my joint)(Joint being the key word here, they tend to be a bit "eccentric"), so I will return Monday to fix the rest of ten clubs vinyl issues. Seacrest, OUT....

Longest Road wrote:

Ow, and you do not have an original copy of Ten (most likely). Hot Topic carries Ten all the time, along with a bunch of other stores. REPRESSES. Ten was originally pressed in 1991 with a matrix of Z 47857 on Epic Associated label, but the US Vinyl was not released until 1994. Since then, there have been additional US pressings, so unless you lived overseas from 1991-1994, you got a first-? pressing. Take the record and wobble it (gently). If it flexes like a bungee cord, later pressing. If it is as stiff as......well, if it's stiff, its 180G, most likely a first press, but I can't confirm or deny any pressings without actually holding the record. NOW, I am off to the mountains to meditate. Try not to break anything until Monday when I return and I will fix more vinyl woes. High Fidelity....OUT

Thanks for all the help! I will try the suggestions and see what occurs. I may also take a picture of the actual turntable and see what you think. Also, is it possible to drop in a new turntable in to the Hi-Fi? I know I have a lot of questions please excuse me......

It is one of the old all in one monstrous systems. I am definitely leaning towards just buying a new turntable and using my existing system as well. I will try the counterweight suggestion and see what occurs. My receiver and component system does have a phono input so all I would need is a turntbale so it shouldn't be too hard. I just like the vintage look of the old systems like that. Maybe I can keep it for sentimental sake and spin on a new table.

"Mr. High-Fidelity" has indeed returned from his mountain retreat... I have 300 acres with a small cabin on it in upstate NY, near Hornell, up in the mountains, where I go to meditate. (Yes, i'm Buddhist). But I have returned clear headed, and full of bliss. I sowed poetry into the grass with every step I took, except for the bear....I ran like hell! So, first off, we all must be more blissful in our forum. Let's try a little kindness, maybe even a little helpfulness and everyone will have a sweat ass table to spin their black circles. I received a number of PMs that I will respond to tomorrow, when I get back to the shop. The report from the shop is that it was a banner weekend....thus preventing layoffs for another couple of months. Gotta love the holidays and the green disease So, I am officially back on the job. Tell me, Mr. rip this S&%T apart and drop in a new table...how has the bootleg weekend fix worked? This I need to know to properly fix your issue, and since everyone seems to enjoy reading my rants and raves, let me know. High-Fidelity is on the job!

Now may everything, young or old, weak or strong, near or far, known or unknown, living or departed, or as of yet unborn, may everything be full of bliss. -buddha

Longest Road wrote:

"Mr. High-Fidelity" has indeed returned from his mountain retreat... I have 300 acres with a small cabin on it in upstate NY, near Hornell, up in the mountains, where I go to meditate. (Yes, i'm Buddhist). But I have returned clear headed, and full of bliss. I sowed poetry into the grass with every step I took, except for the bear....I ran like hell! So, first off, we all must be more blissful in our forum. Let's try a little kindness, maybe even a little helpfulness and everyone will have a sweat ass table to spin their black circles. I received a number of PMs that I will respond to tomorrow, when I get back to the shop. The report from the shop is that it was a banner weekend....thus preventing layoffs for another couple of months. Gotta love the holidays and the green disease So, I am officially back on the job. Tell me, Mr. rip this S&%T apart and drop in a new table...how has the bootleg weekend fix worked? This I need to know to properly fix your issue, and since everyone seems to enjoy reading my rants and raves, let me know. High-Fidelity is on the job!

Now may everything, young or old, weak or strong, near or far, known or unknown, living or departed, or as of yet unborn, may everything be full of bliss. -buddha

The bootleg suggestion did not work all that well unfortunately. So, I removed the back of the console and undid the turntable from the cabinet to see if I could just drop another one that fits the space. I would much rather keep the one that fits there for many purposes. There are a few knobs on the arm that I am not sure what they are. Maybe an anti-skate of counterweight? I am not sure.....

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

cmalisze wrote:

Longest Road wrote:

"Mr. High-Fidelity" has indeed returned from his mountain retreat... I have 300 acres with a small cabin on it in upstate NY, near Hornell, up in the mountains, where I go to meditate. (Yes, i'm Buddhist). But I have returned clear headed, and full of bliss. I sowed poetry into the grass with every step I took, except for the bear....I ran like hell! So, first off, we all must be more blissful in our forum. Let's try a little kindness, maybe even a little helpfulness and everyone will have a sweat ass table to spin their black circles. I received a number of PMs that I will respond to tomorrow, when I get back to the shop. The report from the shop is that it was a banner weekend....thus preventing layoffs for another couple of months. Gotta love the holidays and the green disease So, I am officially back on the job. Tell me, Mr. rip this S&%T apart and drop in a new table...how has the bootleg weekend fix worked? This I need to know to properly fix your issue, and since everyone seems to enjoy reading my rants and raves, let me know. High-Fidelity is on the job!

Now may everything, young or old, weak or strong, near or far, known or unknown, living or departed, or as of yet unborn, may everything be full of bliss. -buddha

The bootleg suggestion did not work all that well unfortunately. So, I removed the back of the console and undid the turntable from the cabinet to see if I could just drop another one that fits the space. I would much rather keep the one that fits there for many purposes. There are a few knobs on the arm that I am not sure what they are. Maybe an anti-skate of counterweight? I am not sure.....

There appears to be an anti-skate on many of those turntables, judging by the pictures.
You should start with adjusting the counterweight first though. then move to the antiskate.

That is what I am thinking as well but, which knob is which? I don't want to go turning things without knowing what they are.

High Fidelity chiming in again.....you have answered your own question, but more on that later. First off, I see from your posts that you have gotten out the tool belt and started tearing into things.... :? As I have said before, this is not a big deal, but some people cannot resist the urge to tear into history. So, a few facts for thought before you go tearing anything else apart. The last year Sears made the Silvertone was 1972, so consider where you got it, where it has been, and how it was transported to your abode. OPTION A.) Now, if you insist of trying to rip out your deck and install something later than 72, but not NEW, go to the nearest Home Depot and buy yourself a role of duct tape, a sawzall (Look it up), a belt sander, super glue, and some gauze! Now, you have already took the back off, so your half way home on your quest to destroy history. The first step is to remove the black tabs that hold the deck in place. Now, place your left foot on the console surrounding the deck, and with a MIGHTY anger, tear the perfectly good deck out of the console and throw it in a dumpster. The second step is to go to your nearest guitar center and shell out $500.00US for a used 1973 deck with a with exactly 4" bigger than the aforementioned turntable in the dumpster. WAIT....don't forget to shell out at least $50.00US for a Pre-Amp, because the 80 watt Powered Amp Peak/30 Watt Music is also in the dumpster. If you want to save the $50.00US, use the previously mentioned duct tape to tape the speakers around your head, because without wiring in the pre-amp on a later model deck, you won't get but hardly a whisper of sound. (this is too complicated to explain, but trust me, I know). Now, take your "new to you" (USED) deck home, unpack the sawzall, and remove 2" of wood from the cabinet on either side of the hole where the perfectly fine deck used to rest comfortably. Don't worry about measuring, because it will be off balance anyway. Now while cutting away the value of the antique, DO NOT accidentally remove a digit. If you do accidentally cut off a finger, aim for the pinky, as this finger most closely resembles the size of a cartridge. Take a moment now to use the gauze and maybe some "quickclot" to stop the bleeding. Don't worry about the finger, the pinky is recessive. In a million years, we won't even have them. Now take the pinky to the belt sander and sand it down to a fine point and place in a safe drawer as a spare needle. As for the diamond tip, just pop out your wife's diamond from her great great grandmothers ring and superglue it to the tip. Now, slam the new deck in and "pray to play".
OPTION B.) You have already answered your own question in the first place. Lets take a moment to reflect upon the facts that have been presented. Your flimsy, 2010 pressing of Ten skips a bit, but The Band, a 180 Gram pressing with nice deep grooves plays like Vaseline. Some police officers and detectives may call this a "CLUE" :idea: YOUR NEEDLE/CARTRIDGE IS BURNT TOAST. It has most likely not been replaced in YEARS. You should be replacing them every 750 hours, MAX. Now, I pulled a cartridge for a Silvertone from the storage/parts room and took a look, and I am guessing your needle is as flat as Kansas. Take a small jeweler's flathead screwdriver and remove the 2 or 4 (depending on the year) screws and GENTLY slide the cartridge off the tone arm. Contact Needle Doctor and buy a new one. Wait 1 week for shipping. Take advantage of this week by using your new Sawzall to cut up other antiques around your home. When the new needle/cartridge arrives, install AFTER reading ALL the directions. Play Ten. Enjoy. Thats it. Anti-Skate is not an issue with the Silvertone.
All kidding aside, don't drop a bundle and create havoc. Just replace the cartridge. It probably has not been replaced since before 1972, so that is about a google hours. It's a process. Start with the obvious, then progressively work the problem.
Now, a winter meditation for us all: White Wholeness. White light is composed of all 7 colors of the rainbow, so it symbolizes wholeness and purity. Call the white images of snow to mind to reinforce your sense of wholeness and purity.
This is High-Fidelity signing off for the evening. Viva La Vinyl