Seeburg/Pickering needles

[robnyc]

Jan 29, 2019 13:35:18 GMT Ron Rich said:

Rob, Oldfatguy,
The Blue sapphire needle, if genuine, for the stereo cart use in the PFEAU-1 model phono's is NOT, "mono- 1 mil". It IS, .7 mil ! I still don't know which needles you have installed, as if you read the sticky, you would have seen that there were/are "aftermarket" needles made. What model is your amp--what code ? Ron Rich

I mis-wrote on regarding the 1 mil, confused it with the older mono types.

There was however a marked difference in quality from the sapphire vs diamond -both in construction and sound quality with the diamond being much cleaner with less "spitty" quality.

Overall, this was a mediocre cart and the basic design flawed by inadequate damping and too much cantilever resonance. They 'sing" too much and don't deal well with the higher cutting levels that began in the early 1960's.

I've read that the newly produced styli for this cart are good, but the youtube videos on recently restored phonos using this cart and probably the new styli all have the same flaws in the sound. They do seem just a bit cleaner. Wired in mono that cart is OK but a little harder on the records than the later design.

RobNYC

[oldfatguy]

Update: as I said I cleaned the four pins on the cart. I finally got a chance to reinstall it. WOW!!!! What a difference!! The sound is so much better. The high end is much crisper. I still need to check balance on the arm, and the gram pressure on the needle. But I am almost afraid to mess with it. Huge difference. D

[gordo]

Hi All,

I have a Seeburg C with a redhead cartridge. The amp was professionally repaired.
I have replaced the needles twice with (so called) improved model needles.
These are very expensive items.

However, it still has poor sound when compared to other jukeboxes.

In desperation, I 'borrowed' a Pickering 345-03D cartridge and the sound was way better.

As these cartridges are rare and very expensive, I thought about trying one of the new reproduction redhead cartridges.
These are also expensive, but, hopefully may solve my problem.

Has anyone tried these repo cartridges? and are you happy with the outcome?

Kind Regards

Gordon....

[Ron Rich]

Hi Gordon,
I have one--- not in use-- What is the needle pressure on your "V" set at ? Ron Rich

[gordo]

Hi Ron,

Happy New Year. I hope it is a safe one for us all.

The needle pressure on my 'V' is about 4.5 grams.
This is where I "borrowed' the Pickering needle from.

My sound problem is with my 'Ç'. The needle pressure is at 6 grams.
With the Redhead cartridge the sound is very bland.
This is the 3rd set of needles (all from good dealers), and these are the best of the three I have tried.
I have also changed the needles into another redhead cartridge with the same poor results.
When I installed the (borrowed) Pickering, the sound improvement is very good.
I did not alter the needle pressure as I only intended to play 2-3 records as the improvement was obvious.

I have found an eBay seller with new reproduction cartridges for $299 (US).
With shipping that adds up to $425 Aussie $'s, so I really want to make sure it works well.

Cheers Gordon..

[cedric]

Hi Gordon, I'm in the same situation, I've made some researchs for the new redhead, but no return. I've contact J Tisdale, but no return from him. Fortunately, I've find a never use pickering 345-03D with needles new also evidently, but yes 500 euros...
I've try new needles for my redhead, and really, it's flat, flat , flat, no no good. Problem it's to buy needles that we don't know, we pay for something, sometimes wrong, sometimes good... It's expansive for a try in finality.
Look what we find actually...
Some people says that's not bad, but something strange no? ;o)

[jukenorman]

I have heard of people doing this type of arrangement on Jupiters but that's the first time I've seen a Seeburg - is that a 201? For anyone who doesn't know, these are Chinese ceramic cartridges (mounted back to back) and are for sale very cheap on ebay!

Norman.

[cedric]

Hi Norman, I don't know wich Seeburg is, but this cartridge its'250 euros in shop in Holland... And where I'm surprise it's that the 2 needles are in the same direction.

[cedric]

It's a 201 Norman, you're right!

[Ron Rich]

I would not use this one, due to the needle positioning, if nothing else ! RH needle looks bent ? Ron Rich

[jukenorman]

I have heard of people having success with these in old Jupiters even in that arrangement but then, that's a case of needs must and the cartridges are very cheap - see ebay item 311941349246 for example. I suppose they must have had to add some kind of network to reduce the ceramic cartridge output to make it plug and play (assuming it is plug and play) - but 250 euros??

Norman.

[cedric]

I've heard the same, but everyone has their expectations... I have read that it's just need a resistance ton change it in a magnetic cartridge. Ron, as you, I don't want it, it's a fals good idea. I imagine state of record after some utilisation...

[gordo]

Hi Cedric,

I feel your pain. I think my problem is caused by the needles.
This is the 3rd lot of Redhead needles I have purchased (from 3 separate reputable dealers), without success.
I have spent $100's. All the sellers say they are the 'new improved needles'.

I have a Pickering 345-03D that works well, but I need another one.

Thanks for posting. The photo you added is the cartridge I was thinking about purchasing.
I guess I will not buy that now, the sellers website also says 'not available'.

The Tisdale cartridge looks different again. Has anyone tried one of them?


Regards
Gordon....

[cedric]

Hi Gordon, for Tisdale, I just have see a video where they compare redhead and the replacement. No more information. Not enough for me to have trust when you pay 250 dollars min. For Rehhead, did you try the Tonar? Me, I don't like but a friend of mine like them.

[Ron Rich]

Guy's
I have the "Tisdale" cartridge-- IMHO, In sound quality it equals the 345's -- However, there are problems with the positioning of the needles, you MUST remove the needle brushes-- and the spring pressure MUST be under 4 gm. Ron Rich