ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
So I accidentally ruined my last pickup for the Beogram 42. Stupid me.
Anyway, I have some problems finding a replacement. I have two pickups with broken styli, one that looks like it once was the original SP2 and later replaced with a aftermarket stylus, and a SP7 I was sent as a replacement by the Beogram's seller when the original pickup didn't survive his packaging.
1. I suppose the "body" is identical on all SP cartridges? So I might fit e.g. a SP10 stylus on the SP2 body?
2. Are there any known sources for new styli? I remember there being a website that sold SP6/7 styli for around 35€, however, I can no longer find it. The only thing I can find is Schallplattennadeln.de, but as I only need the stylus (replacement is easy enough on these old pickups) I dont really want to send in the whole pickup and pay 70€ for a replacement.
Not quite as simple, I am afraid!! The body is not identical - the SP1/2 is a different body to the others and uses a different tracking angle. The SP6/7 and 8/9 use the same body as each other and the SP10/12/14 use another type. You can just about get a SP12 on a SP6/7 body but it doesn't seem a very good fit! They do all look very similar though! The mounting pins are the same.
Axel (the link you post above) made a bespoke SP2 for my Beogram 3000 which has a ST/P arm and it is excellent.
Peter
Thanks!
So it seems I have two SP7 bodies/coils. I wasn't really sure, since there is hardly any print left on the (not original) second shell. But the bodies are identical on both pickups.
I doubt a used SP10/12 will be audibly "better" than a "new" SP7, so I'll get the latter. Actually found the shop was looking for...it's always where you look last: http://www.schallplattennadeln.de/DIAMANT-Abtastnadeln-A-Z/Abtastnadeln-A-C/B-O/
Oh damn, this all sounds confusing, i've inherritted my Grandad's BeoGram 1500 along with BeoMaster 1500 and BeoCord 1900. Ive saving it to put in a retro room one day. I know the stylus needs replacing - am I going to have problems?
Paul W:BeoGram 1500
I suppose you mean this one: http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=272? (As opposed to this 'other' 1500)
In that case, no, it'll be really easy. You can't simply replace the stylus on the MMC pickups (at least you can't), but you'll have to replace the whole pickup (or send in the original one for retipping).
YES that's the one! awesome thank you for that. I got the BeoMaster wrong, it's the BeoMaster 1900 that I have - gathering lots of dust at the moment!
Cartridges are relatively simple really once you realise that there are 4 basic types:
SP1/2 - only for the really old decks - not many will use these as they are few and far between and on the whole if you buy one of these decks, you will know about it!! These have replaceable styluses which come just as a stylus. Colour coded and available for 78s as well!
SP6/7 10/12/14 - what I would call the SP range - there are some issues but almost any will work on any of these though I would tend to stick with the stylus type that was fitted to the deck originally - 8/9 is the upgrade for the 6/7, 12 is the upgrade for the 10. The 14 is a 6/7 replacement when they stopped making the 6/7. The stylus replaces by sliding the outer case off the cartridge.
MMC20 range - the larger of the two plug in cartridges - confusingly the SP15 and MMC3000-6000 also fall into this range as does the MMC10E. These fit the 70s decks.
MMC1-5 - the last of the cartridges - different fitting to the MMC20 range. These are for the late tangential decks and a few of the late radial decks (like the RX2)
You can also replace "just the stylus" on the later SP range by pressing it out of the shell/outer case. I've already removed the old one.
As far as the SP2 is concerned - I suppose my 42VF was originally fitted with one of these? Do you happen to know a source for 78s styli? I still have some 78s, currently using a Braun PC3 SV with a flip-over cartridge to play these. Would be great if I could play them on the Beogram...
Peter thank you for your really excellent explanation. Much appreciated!