Seeburg/Pickering needles

[Boris]

Has anyone tried the relatively new cartridge adapters currently being sold on eBay by “scrow45987”? I’ve seen positive reviews of them on other discussion boards, so I just got one for my 201. This adapter looks to be a bit more “meaty” than a Wico adapter, which is what I appear to have now. I’m wondering, with this new adapter and my 340 series cartridge, would I still want to attach some sort of weight to the top of the cartridge for proper tracking? 2.5 grams pressure with the yellow “wedge” replacement needles, correct? - Boris

[Ron Rich]

Hi Boris,
Depends-- what's the weight of the combined cart & adapter, in comparison to a "redhead" ? "--Yellow needles--" -- NO -- READ, these sticky posts ! Ron Rich

[Boris]

Hi Ron,
I have yet to weigh the combination of my 340 cartridge with the adapter (I would have to get some sort of scale that weighs in fractions of grams), but I do not know the weight of a Redhead (as I do not have one). I will see if I can get a small scale so that I can determine the weight.

As for the yellow needles, you said back in March: “I have a pair of the ‘Bliss’ needles they sell ("regular", conical). They are better than any other aftermarket ones I have seen/heard, however, they are still not as good as the Pickerings…”

I assumed that those yellow “Bliss” needles are the best available out there now. I do have a 340, not a 345, cartridge. Which needles do you suggest that I use? There are no genuine Pickerings left, correct? I would like to keep the tracking force to a minimum (2.5 grams ideally) to prevent excess wear on my records.

Boris

[Ron Rich]

Hi Boris,
Your phonograph was not built to handle 2.5 grams tracking force. If correctly built, the yellows are 2.5 max needles-- green are 4-5 grams force-- Ron Rich

[Boris]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your input. I realize that the original Redhead cartridge tracked heavier; however, it's long gone from my jukebox. I guess I'm just looking for the current prevailing wisdom regarding the best cartridge and stylus combination for my 201, so that I can safely play both mono and stereo records -- and have good sound. I am not a juke guru, and it's doubtful I ever will be, so I'm just looking for advice from those with experience. I do appreciate the scope of your knowledge.

From what you're saying, I should be either using the green needles in my Pickering 340 cartridge, or get myself an original working Redhead with stereo-compatible styli installed? What about going to the newest version of the Tisdale cartridge (I believe you said you have one of those)? Or should I rip out the original tone arm and install a later one if I want to stay with the 340 cartridge?

I know that my jukebox is capable of sounding great but I don't want to unnecessarily experiment with a bunch of different options and waste my money doing so. Any and all advice is much appreciated.

Boris

[Ron Rich]

Boris,
Your model is designed to use a 4 gram spring pressure-- You would need to re-engineer the whole system (including bass reflex response) to get it to work correctly with a good "yellow" needle. I use the red-head mono, with new needles or a 345 properly weighted cart, green needles in my B-- Ron Rich

[Boris]

Ron,

Thank you. I'll look into getting a good Redhead cartridge and new stereo-compatible needles. The Pickering 345 carts seem to have becom unobtainable.

Boris

[Boris]

Hi Ron and everyone,

I'm now using a Redhead cartridge with stereo-compatible needles (set at ~ 4 grams pressure). And after some other necessary work, my 201 sounds very good now!

Boris

[larrycasey]

Hi,

I buy this, and it's very very good !





Regards

[Ron Rich]

Hi Larry,
I have not seen these (that I know of) yet-- where can one buy them ? Do you have a photo of them, showing the cantilever ? Is the "stud" the correct diameter to fit the cartridge, or is it too large, causing a problem in the cart. ? Ron Rich

[larrycasey]

[larrycasey]

Buy at Revival; be careful 2 versions !!!



standard
www.jukebox-revival.eu/needles-cartridges/jukebox-needles/needles-seeburg/seeburg-stereo-showcase.html


.7 mil replacement needle for Seeburg showcase and Pickering 345-3D cartridges. improved version.
www.jukebox-revival.eu/needles-cartridges/jukebox-needles/needles-seeburg/seeburg-stereo-showcase-verbeterd.html


this in picture is .7 mil replacement needle for Seeburg showcase and Pickering 345-3D cartridges. improved version.

[Ron Rich]

Larry,
No needle can be made to fit both applications ! If it fit's a 345 cartridge, it can NOT, and should never be used, in a SS-160 select mechanism, or any later 160 mechanisms ! What is the difference between these two needles-- other then price ? ( I can't read that language) Ron Rich

[cedric]

Hi Ron,

They don't explain what's the difference between the two. Exept that the most expansive is sold as a solution for the Showcase AND the Pickering 345-03d. I'm not ok with that, I've try one in my Pickering and it's to wide to fit properly, without forcing inside the cartridge.
Cédric.

[cedric]

Hi everyone,
Today I've receive new needle from jukebox-world.de
As a reminder, I use in my V200 Pickering cartridge 345 03D. I added a lead of 8grs on the of the cartridge to match the weight of the redhead.
I listen my juke with original needle Pickering (green) A great quality.
I've try (there's few weeks) needle show here above (Tonar)
For me, it's not good in a Pickering cartridge, the rear part of the cantilever who enters the cartridge, is a little bit to large, and you have to force it to enter it completely. It's not normal to force on fragil parts.
So, I've put new needle today from jukebox-world as I say, and just...waw! Waw waw and WAW! What an amazing needle. The highs shine, are clear and clean, bass is crisp and dry, well rounded. Needle fits perfectly inside cartridge. Perfection!
For me that's the best needle I've heard on my juke. Better than the original Pickering which is already really good.
It's not the cheapest but quality is worth the price.
Have a nice day, Cédric.