Experience / recommendations about Sumiko trade-in / trade-up or re-tip?

[Johnny_Law]

I have two Blue Point cartridges (a p-mount and a regular mount, this one confusingly not labeled "No.2", although I have not been able to find any info about a non-No.2 half-inch mount) ... the p-mount cart's stylus has drifted off-center, and the half-inch cart's stylus has lost its tip.

I'll attach some pictures of them both.

I'm trying to figure out how to fix these. The Sumiko website suggests a trade-in, but doesn't provide clear terms about the trade-in beyond "contact a dealer". There are also various vendors advertising re-tipping services of various flavors.

Has anyone done a trade-in through Sumiko directly, and cares to explain how it works? Or, would anyone recommend a third party re-tipping service instead?

No, I haven't yet emailed Sumiko or any dealers yet, as I am hoping first for tips / tricks / advice from those who have been through this before. Thanks in advance.

(Also, can someone help me identify the standard-mount cartridge? It looks like a Blue Point No.2, but it doesn't say "No.2".)

 

[Johnny_Law]

Anyone have any thoughts on whether to get these re-tipped (for $150-200? each) or trade them in for a new Sumiko cartridge of some kind (it looks like each would get me $100 off MSRP, e.g., it would be $450 instead of $550 for a Blue Point Special EVO III)?

 

[MRL_Audio]

I am a Sumiko fan. I like most of the cartridges I've ever had from them. From the so so Oyster and Pearl to the Blackbird and the BluePointe's of differing models. I would send then for re-tipping. If you want a reco send me a PM.

 

[lazycat]

There was an original Blue Point. I used one 30 years ago before moving up to the Special. I much preferred it to an ATOC9.

I was/am a fan of Sumiko - I used them for 10 years. Sadly, to get one with a non-elliptical tip costs a lot of money and there are better alternatives available now.

Elliptical tips just dont provide enough information, for me anyway, above a certain price point.

 

[Nashou66]

I am a Sumiko fan. I like most of the cartridges I've ever had from them. From the so so Oyster and Pearl to the Blackbird and the BluePointe's of differing models. I would send then for re-tipping. If you want a reco send me a PM.

+1 here. Get them Re Yipped by Joseph Long . Groovetickler on instagram . he also has an eBay store under a different name I always screw up its something like Cartridge_retipper_5 or something lol

Athanasios

 

[cafe latte]

If you get then retipped spend the extra and get nude Micro ridge as it will last more than twice as long as an elliptical and it will also sound better.
Chris

 

[Johnny_Law]

Thanks all. I decided on re-tipping instead of trading them in. Can't wait to get them back.

 

[Johnny_Law]

Got the P-mount cantilever straightened and got a fancy nude Ogura line contact on the standard mount.

Very happy with it.