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cartridge/stylus identification request i.e. this is a weird one...

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pioneer hawaiian - 4.jpg
under the board, 6 batteries

pioneer hawaiian - 5.jpg
three wires for the speaker, 33r and 64r measured

cartridge is direct connected (2 wires) to the speaker with black wire going to battery negative.
 
pioneer hawaiian - 6.jpg
tone arm and wiring plus the unknown needle interface device

pioneer hawaiian - 7.jpg
the only labeling on the cartridge

pioneer hawaiian - 8.jpg
when measuring from one of the soldered side wires to the metal frame there is around 100k resistance (out of circuit).

thoughts anyone?
 
Other than pointing out that it is a ceramic cartridge, is there a question?

I have not seen a cartridge configured like that and it could be that Pioneer created it specifically for those Hawaiian portable record players.

Battery replacement does not look very convenient.
 
Other than pointing out that it is a ceramic cartridge, is there a question?

I have not seen a cartridge configured like that and it could be that Pioneer created it specifically for those Hawaiian portable record players.

Battery replacement does not look very convenient.
Ceramic. The unit does not have an amplifier if I'm seeing it right. The pickup is in series with the batteries and speaker, like some kind of variable capacitor or carbon pile acted on by the stylus through the reed it is attached to. I've never seen anything like that outside of early telephone pick up capsules that used a DC talk circuit.
 
A-ha! Has just the type of stylus I thought it would have. 50 years ago, when I worked at Radio Schaak, it was an "RS-25," very common at the time...though I've never seen a "cartridge" like that.

I had a similar record-player back then, perhaps 60 years ago, a Panasonic, though the batteries were accessible through a cover and it had a more conventional ceramic cart.
Love the styling of yours! Just the thing to take to the beach, which we did!
 
OMG~!

That is the cutest turntable I've EVER seen, It's just darling.

I agree with "Spicer" only a carbon pile makes sense.

It must sound terrible, Between the Wow and Flutter and the audio section... "Shivers".

But I like how the speaker is aimed to reflect off the lid... Model number is SB-2.

My guess is if it showed up on ebay even not working it would bring in a Pile of $$$.

Dam cool!

Edit: The German ad states Crystal Element, But I can't see any possible way that would work???

be562cdeeff8c49528abe59b13967947.jpg


iu

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The 'stylus' was/is indeed common. We sold plenty of them (various lengths, stylus types etc)- mostly it was a sapphire, IIRC.

I'd have to look up my old catalogues, but it certainly was not an unusual or rare one.
 
when I worked at Radio Schaak, it was an "RS-25,"

The unit does not have an amplifier if I'm seeing it right.
correct. as pure as can be in regards to "from needle to eardrum" even though there might be some bandwidth limitations. not seeing an riaa eq circuit anywhere. although i seem to lean toward decca on a few things.

 
pioneer hawaiian - 10.jpg
bass port anyone?

pioneer hawaiian - 16.jpg
couple more board shots. potential newer replacement cart in the background (didnt work).

pioneer hawaiian - 17.jpg
wont take long for the batteries to go flat

is there a question?
trying to figure out what the cartridge assembly is and if there is a replacement or electromechanical upgrade even though its a mono setup.

could try a stereo cart with common ground between channels and mod the battery system with a booster transistor, perhaps something germanium. limiting the upgrade circuit to having one or two components would be interesting.

seeing one of these tables with an ortofon might turn some heads...




but then again, modding the hawaiian too much will only rob it of its vintage charm. perhaps a ww2 era cart would be more fashionable.
 
Screenshot 2026-05-11 at 11-44-25 Stylus Needle for turntable phono cartridges LP GEAR.png

interesting to see the lifespan of different types/shapes.
 


correct. as pure as can be in regards to "from needle to eardrum" even though there might be some bandwidth limitations. not seeing an riaa eq circuit anywhere. although i seem to lean toward decca on a few things.

With bandwidth on that unit riaa eq. probably wasn't a concern, could think of it as pre emphasis, helped not having it.
 
The stylus (needle) is known as the N8-7D or S (D for diamond; S for Sapphire). The 7 indicates a .7 mil wide, stereo tip. For 78 RPM record players, it is a N8-3S, the 3 for a 3 mil tip.

There is also the N8-1S or D which is for early monaural 45s and LPs, which were the original, microgrooves. The 1 mil wide tips are a better fit or those.

Note that Stereo 45s, for the public, don't start until the later 1960s.

When buying these styli, you can also ask a seller for the "twisted cantilever, forked opening on one end" needle; the sellers will immediately know it....

More importantly, in the OP pic, that needle needs to be re-bent, in order to straddle the rubber piece, which modulates the cartridge "electrical" element.

Also, note that the shown needle tip is a Sapphire needle.
Sapphire needles are gentler to vinyl, as well as quieter with scratchy discs. However, Sapphire tips tend to wear after 15 hours of play...

So, playing a <3 minute 78 or 45, we can spin 20 discs per hour.
20×15=300 sides or plays !
That's a lot of spinning...

Dirty discs will accelerate wear on sapphire needles. Cleaning the discs and stylus, often, will increase usability and playing time.

Enjoy that UFO record player !
It's definitely from the "Jetsons" cartoon era...
 
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Sapphire needles are gentler to vinyl, as well as quieter with scratchy discs. However, Sapphire tips tend to wear after 15 hours of play...
very good to know in regards to system longevity. even though the needle is relatively easy to replace. overall cartridge, no so much..

You may get some input from a fellow, Gary Stork
contacted him and his response was:

Sorry never seen anything like this
--

Thank you for writing V-M Audio Enthusiasts!
--

Gary Stork www.thevoiceofmusic.com
might have to do some frankenstein engineering under the hood although i noticed high output carts exist around 2.6v...
 
Yes, they were Extremely popular in the ceramic cartridge, record player world.

The twist in their cantilever was undoubtedly influenced by the ever popular, GE Variable Reluctance, magnetic carts.
 
Screenshot 2026-05-13 at 23-57-39 Spin Doctor #11 Alternative Phono Cartridge Technologies and...png

philco "beam of light" tech. going back how many years/decades?
 
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