Post by phillg on May 29, 2018 21:14:21 GMT
When installing a multi-speed stylus that can be flipped to play either 33/45 rpm records or 78 rpm records, it's important to make sure you've got the right side of the needle in use. For example, the Sonontone 8T stylus - used in many of the early stereo wurlitzers - and the Pfanstiehl replacement (the 804-DS77) both come with this variant. The arm of the stylus will have "LP" printed on one side and "78" printed on the other.
Both styli were designed to be installed in horizontal turntables (as you would plug into your home hifi) where the side of the record playing faces up, towards your face. When you install the stylus in a standard turntable, the arm with the speed printed on it should show the correct speed for the record you're playing.
However, the Wurlitzer's vertical-playing layout, with the tonearm facing out, means you're essentially looking at the turntable upside down - when you install the stylus, you should be able to see the speed you're not playing (in this case, 78).
If you install the stylus around the wrong way, you'll notice that the playback is 'scratchy' and sounds pretty bad. You may also notice that your records get worn down pretty quickly! This is because 78s are cut with a much wider groove and the stylus is wider to fit into that groove; later 33 and 45 rpm records were cut with micro-grooves that require a narrower stylus to play. Simply flip the stylus over to resume normal sound.
Both styli were designed to be installed in horizontal turntables (as you would plug into your home hifi) where the side of the record playing faces up, towards your face. When you install the stylus in a standard turntable, the arm with the speed printed on it should show the correct speed for the record you're playing.
However, the Wurlitzer's vertical-playing layout, with the tonearm facing out, means you're essentially looking at the turntable upside down - when you install the stylus, you should be able to see the speed you're not playing (in this case, 78).
If you install the stylus around the wrong way, you'll notice that the playback is 'scratchy' and sounds pretty bad. You may also notice that your records get worn down pretty quickly! This is because 78s are cut with a much wider groove and the stylus is wider to fit into that groove; later 33 and 45 rpm records were cut with micro-grooves that require a narrower stylus to play. Simply flip the stylus over to resume normal sound.
