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Can we do yet another Grado ID thread?

TomInTacoma

TomInTacoma

d/b/a Vinyl Reclamation
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Trying to ID this odd-ball (to me) Grado cartridge. It's a P-Mount, brown with gold-tone metal underside. There's no front badge showing and the letters "GL" in red lettering on the bottom (on the metal part). The stylus base is also brown plastic and looks to be either yellow or gold dots. Output seems to be higher than other cartridges I've tried (based on output at a 'normal' setting being quite a bit louder).

Anyone have an idea what this one is? It's sound pretty decent.
 
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Does it look like this one only in p-mount format?

9482711914_1c272218dd_c.jpg
 
TomInTacoma said:
Trying to ID this odd-ball (to me) Grado cartridge. It's a P-Mount, brown with gold-tone metal underside. There's no front badge showing and the letters "GL" in red lettering on the bottom (on the metal part). The stylus base is also brown plastic and looks to be either yellow or gold dots. Output seems to be higher than other cartridges I've tried (based on output at a 'normal' setting being quite a bit louder).

Anyone have an idea what this one is? It's sound pretty decent.
Click to expand...
Brown bodies could be G series, X series, Z series look on top of body for manu date.......if on top, G series. on back above pins, X or Z series.
 
chris_f said:
Does it look like this one only in p-mount format?

9482711914_1c272218dd_c.jpg
Click to expand...

Yes - exactly, but a P-mount version. You know what it is?

marcmorin said:
Brown bodies could be G series, X series, Z series look on top of body for manu date.......if on top, G series. on back above pins, X or Z series.
Click to expand...

That's just the problem, there's no date code anywhere on the body. But aside from that - with it likely being a G, X or Z series - how do they rate in the grand scheme of Grado cartridges? "Wow" or "Meh"?
 
Grado G series, G1+ I am pretty sure but Marc can confirm as I am not 100% certain. I have a G1+, they are good cartridges. And best of all you can put a "lowly" Black stylus in it or you can upgrade to an 8MZ and make it a race car. I love mine, even with a Black stylus in it.

http://www.gradoheadphones.ca/styli.htm
 
TomInTacoma said:
Yes - exactly, but a P-mount version. You know what it is?



That's just the problem, there's no date code anywhere on the body. But aside from that - with it likely being a G, X or Z series - how do they rate in the grand scheme of Grado cartridges? "Wow" or "Meh"?
Click to expand...
a picture or 3 of the cart would be helpful. of the top, and back. There is a difference in bodies regarding sound quality. the gold can carts were the upper range. the "wow/meh" comes down to what stylus is in it.
 
That is a G1+ estimated manu date 79-81. very nice stone attached to the end of it. Hope it's in top condition. due to the red ink is still intact, doesn't appear it was handled much.
 
marcmorin said:
Brown bodies could be G series, X series, Z series look on top of body for manu date.......if on top, G series. on back above pins, X or Z series.
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Hi Marc, where does the M series fit in, specifically the brown body/gold metal M+? Does it go G, M, X, Z in order of ascending quality/price?
 
Redd House said:
Hi Marc, where does the M series fit in, specifically the brown body/gold metal M+? Does it go G, M, X, Z in order of ascending quality/price?
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there were 2 M series, the earliest were 800 ohm coils, the 2nd were 480-500 ohm coils. It actually goes F, G ,M, X, Z, Prestige. The most expensive were the Z series. the Z1/Z2 were $265.00 in the early 90's
 
marcmorin said:
there were 2 M series, the earliest were 800 ohm coils, the 2nd were 480-500 ohm coils. It actually goes F, G ,M, X, Z, Prestige. The most expensive were the Z series. the Z1/Z2 were $265.00 in the early 90's
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Thank you sir.
 
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marcmorin said:
should have mentioned there were 3 series of the Z series. There was the low-out Z1-Z2 and high-out Z1-Z2 that sported advanced cut stones. And then the later Z1-Z2 were simply the "gold" not yet called that.
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What stylus would you recommend that's currently available for a Z+ body?
 
marcmorin said:
That is a G1+ estimated manu date 79-81. very nice stone attached to the end of it. Hope it's in top condition. due to the red ink is still intact, doesn't appear it was handled much.
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Not a G1+, it would be black, not brown, and wouldn't have a gold metal undego. Could be a M1+ or M2+. If the dots are gold (not yellow), this is a M2+, one of the best non signature Grado ever made Due to the good shape of the cantilever, I would only retip it IF needed. Much cheaper and much better sound. M2+ stylus can still be found but costs a lot. Same for a Z+. Garrottbrothers are amongst the best for that at a decent price.
 
LESONAUSSI said:
Not a G1+, it would be black, not brown, and wouldn't have a gold metal undego. Could be a M1+ or M2+. If the dots are gold (not yellow), this is a M2+, one of the best non signature Grado ever made Due to the good shape of the cantilever, I would only retip it IF needed. Much cheaper and much better sound. M2+ stylus can still be found but costs a lot. Same for a Z+. Garrottbrothers are amongst the best for that at a decent price.
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I've had 3 G1's in brown color.............deal with it
 
LESONAUSSI said:
Those were the "bad" G1+, the good ones are the black ones, just look at the coils or listen to them. The good G1+ are still on sale here :
https://www.lpgear.com/product/GRADG1PL.html

The brown G1+ had a serial number engraved in top, not this one. So definitively, it is not a G1+. Deal with it
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here's a brown one with the paperwork that went with it.

did you know there were two different Black G1s? did you know there were two different brown G1's?IMG_0383.JPG
do you know the differences between the two brown body ones? differences between the Black body ones?
 
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