Popping, late style Seeburg ("wedge") cartridge ?

[Ron Rich]

Hi All,
The phono cartridge, "plastic" mounting/holder, used on all Seeburgs from the SS-160 and 100 S models, onward, to mount the "340" style ("wedge/shovel, style stereo needles"--of all colors ), is now available. It is being re-produced (SHELL ONLY), from UV resistant "black plastic". rather then the original white stuff. This is the shell ( which deteriorates, and "loses" the retaining clip, and ability to hold the cart. tightly), ONLY, is being repro'd--you will need to re-use the contacts, contact retainer, and screw from the original. It's being done by the eBay seller "Pipster". Contact me if needed. Changing this will keep the cartridge tight enough to prevent "opening up" the cartridge connections, and causing "popping" in the audio, or loss of channel(s), and / or, SOS triggering. It ain't a "fun job"-- see both my guides on this--- Ron Rich

[flynn]

Is this part still available?

[jukeboxmarty]

I haven't seen that part available anywhere, and searching eBay yielded zero results for the eBay user 'Pipster'.

You may be able to located a good used original, but many of them have cracked as they get brittle with age.

Usually it's just the locking tab that cracks. The holders can be held in place on the tonearm by using the proper diameter/length of heat shrink tubing.

[flynn]

That you for trying! I have an LS2 that has a fluttering noise on the right channel. I was looking at the connection to the socket and broke the green wire.. then tried to resolder it and broke the red 😂
I just wound up putting new wires in. I used ones out of an old iPod charger. It worked and eliminated the fluttering!!! Until the next day when it came back. I’m going to attempt to get the metal pin sockets tighter tonight. I assume it’s just a bad pin connection. I did break the tab off of mine, but it still works if I wrap tape around it 🤷🏻 I just figured if it was available, I’d wait and just swap it out.. I can work with what I have I think.. thanks again tho!

[flynn]

Rob NYC suggested carefully using solder to tin the pins of the cartridge and make them slightly bigger. If I have no more options then I’ll try that as a last resort, but I don’t like the idea of heating up the cart pins

[jukeboxmarty]

I'm not sure I would do that. Here's a better solution:

Remove the small screw in the center of the holder's female terminals and remove the small retaining plate so the terminals slide out of the holder. Then you can re-form them so they will hold the cartridge pins tightly.

You would have to go through this process even if the above part about was available; the part did not come with the female terminals.

The wires will probably break off, be prepared to solder them back on (I'd use new tone-arm wire as well).

I do this on EVERY wedge head tone-arm when I re-work the mechanisms.

[dhutton]

There is a pipster3 on ebay that has juke parts. I've gotten some decals for my trashcan from them.

[jukeboxmarty]

Oct 7, 2023 21:34:23 GMT dhutton said:

There is a pipster3 on ebay that has juke parts. I've gotten some decals for my trashcan from them.

Thanks, more specifically here's the item in question:

www.ebay.com/itm/194388042617?hash=item2d426e2379:g:ijQAAOSwKRxhTefY

And just a reminder, there are no pins included with this item.

[flynn]

Oct 7, 2023 21:34:23 GMT dhutton said:

There is a pipster3 on ebay that has juke parts. I've gotten some decals for my trashcan from them.

Thank you for responding. I’ve already replaced the tone arm wires. That solved the problem for a couple months. I should have tightened the pins when I was in there. I need to replace the motor run capacitor this weekend, I’ll tighten and clean the pins then. Thanks again!