which stylus should I use with 78 rpm records?

Hello

I have bought a new turntable, playing 33/45/&78 records. The machine is suited with a stylus but I don

You are going to have to research the cartridge you have and find out if it can be fitted with a 78 stylus. Many new ones can't.

There are generally 3 sizes of stylus needed to play almost all phonograph records around:

- 0.7 mil for 16, 33, and 45 rpm records. This stylus also plays Edison Diamond Discs recorded at 80 rpm.

- 2.7 mil or 3 mil for standard 78 rpm records.

- 7.0 mil plays only the Pathe vertical sapphire ball records (most collectors don't need this, and it is rare).

There are generally four ways the stylus is changed, depending on the brand:

1. For ceramic pickups, a turnover or rocking cartridge or a flipover stylus is used.

2. Some magnetic cartridges (particularly the GE VR-2) had a turnaround stylus assembly.

3. Most magnetic cartridges yse a replaceable stylus that slips in and out. My favorite is the Shure M44.

4. Some systems have plug-in heads with a different head for each speed.

Note that sometimes the 78 stylus has a tracking force range that is different from the LP stylus. Be prepared for this.

thanks for your answer. If I send a picture or two of my stylus could you see which model is? Thanks

Take your turntable to an audio specialist/stereo repair shop; the audio technician will be able to evaluate the current status of your current stylus, order the correct 78 rpm stylus for your turntable, and calibrate/balance the settings of your tonearm with the new stylus. Do not take for granted that 1 stylus will be able to play all records. While the stylus can play the 78, if it is not a true 78 stylus, you will not get the maximum playback from your records. I found this out not too long ago when I took my Dual turntables---all 5 of them---to a place in Los Angeles called The Audio Specialist. Howard, the expert technician, fitted the one turntable which I designated would only be used to play 78s with the correct stylus, as well as balancing it to the tonearm. I took the Dual home and plugged it back into my system; I put on a stack of 78s and sat back to see if I could hear the difference....oh my, oh my, oh my. The difference was startling. Before, with the wrong stylus, Dee Dee Sharp's sweet, earthy voice would just flow from the speakers; now, Dee Dee and her background singers, The Orlons, nearly came out of them, performing live in my living room; same with Joey Dee; same with Howlin' Wof, Timi Yuro, The Marvelettes, and other late 78s. The experience to hear the clarity of the 78 recordings, things I had never heard before because the 78 stylus could accurately and correctly playback the recorded grooves, brought me to a higher level of understanding and appreciation of the 78 rpm record. Sure, the cost of a 78 stylus is not cheap, and the there will be costs for the technician. But the end result will have you in musical bliss and will be worth every cent paid for your worthwhile musical investment. All the 78 rpm best, Angelo/Andromeda International Records androintl@earthlink.net

Alexander,

I play my records as they were originally played-with steel needles. However, if you wish to get the most out of you 78s with modern equipment it is my understanding that there are a few different styli that should be used. The groove size (to use the vernacular ) varies greatly with early lateral 78s. There was of course no standardization. I believe after the mid-thirties things got more standardized.

I would recommend search on-line and talk to a few collectors you trust about different size styli for you turntable. I heard of collectors using anything from a 2.75 mm stylus up to 4 mm. Weight and anti-skate etc all play a part. I'll stick with my Victrola!

Good Luck.

Regards,
J.