by Ron Rich »
Fri Feb 22, 2013 6:07 pm
Hi Steve,
This is a "can of worms"-- The cartridge was designed for a much later model, but, a very similar cart was also designed as a "retrofit" by Pickering. The retrofit, used different Green(dia) or Brown (sapp) needles, as the needle pressure on the older models was MUCH higher. The yellow/violet needles, IF gen-u-whine, Seeburg/Pickering supplied, will fail very quickly if used for that app. Most, but not all "aftermarket" needles I have seen are "usable" in that app., however most are of rather poor quality, and some will even destroy the cartridge.
The "64k question" answer is--with the correct green or brown needles and the needle pressure set at 4-4.5 grams, this and the retrofit, will out preform ANYTHING. However, the cart will need to have weight added to the top of it, as it was lighter then the red-head. Also--the correct needles ar difficult, to say the least, to find today--I still have a few pair of the "brown" (sappire), left for sale--PM me if you wish. HTH Ron Rich