Pickering v-15 model history

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pace306

New Member
This place has so far been a god send - so many amazing smart people with so much more knowledge then I could ever have !

Thats why - if possible, I need some help from anyone who knows or has seen a history of Pickering V-15 carts.

I "inherited" 4 carts, 4 different models (none are the X model though :( )

V-15/ATE4
V-15/ATE2
V-15/AC2
V-15HB/AT2C

Replacement needles cost approx $30 (who knows what originals if they could even be found would cost) ... are these carts worth investing in?

Were they all mass market lower end units that basically cost as much as the replacement styli themselves?

Any help would be appriciated! =)
 
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pace306 said:
This place has so far been a god send - so many amazing smart people with so much more knowledge then I could ever have !

Thats why - if possible, I need some help from anyone who knows or has seen a history of Pickering V-15 carts.

I "inherited" 4 carts, 4 different models (none are the X model though :( )

V-15/ATE4
V-15/ATE2
V-15/AC2
V-15HB/AT2C

Replacement needles cost approx $30 (who knows what originals if they could even be found would cost) ... are these carts worth investing in?

Were they all mass market lower end units that basically cost as much as the replacement styli themselves?

Any help would be appriciated! =)
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They were not lower end units. The V-15 series started about 1965 and for the longest time were Pickering's premiere line. The Stanton equivalent was the 500 series, which has many fans even today. An absolute workhorse of a cartridge, still available today from Stanton in an updated model geared towards DJ's. The 500 series was the backbone of just about every radio station in the USA up until CD took over.

The bodies should all be the same (or close to) for the units you have. The difference in performance was in the stylus, so you have plenty of options. As you fear, OEM styli for the lighter tracking refined styli are becoming rarer and rarer and aftermarket needles can be hit or miss. JICO would be a good place to start. Good quality and while not exactly like the OEM, still give good sound and are a good alternative to OEM. http://www.jico-stylus.com/index.php?cPath=89 Look for styli for cartridge models starting with 500.
 
empirelvr said:
They were not lower end units. The V-15 series started about 1965 and for the longest time were Pickering's premiere line. The Stanton equivalent was the 500 series, which has many fans even today. An absolute workhorse of a cartridge, still available today from Stanton in an updated model geared towards DJ's. The 500 series was the backbone of just about every radio station in the USA up until CD took over.

The bodies should all be the same (or close to) for the units you have. The difference in performance was in the stylus, so you have plenty of options. As you fear, OEM styli for the lighter tracking refined styli are becoming rarer and rarer and aftermarket needles can be hit or miss. JICO would be a good place to start. Good quality and while not exactly like the OEM, still give good sound and are a good alternative to OEM. http://www.jico-stylus.com/index.php?cPath=89 Look for styli for cartridge models starting with 500.
Click to expand...


Thank you so much for the help .... I couldnt find ANYWHERE that described the differences (if any) in any of the 4 carts.

I will look into the link you sent me (thank you) I just didnt want to invest in a cart where the stylus cost more then the cart itself (I ended up receiving about 20 carts - Im slowly working through them!)(I think the gem in them are the 2 Stanton 681eee's - they have an amazing sound).
 
If your carts come with styli, and dependent on their condition you already have some winners. The ATE 2& 4 are heavier tracking ellipticals. The other 2 a decent conicals. See if you can find a microscope to give them a check on condition. A jewelers loupe will also work

The online retailer Voice of Music http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cata...=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Pickering&Categories=
still sells original Pickering styli, although as empirelvr pointed out they are becoming scarce. But I would always opt for an original first, if you can get it, then go with the recommended aftermarket options and if you like them you can use them for back ups. In the link I've provided there are excellent options for both light and medium tracking ellipticals and conicals. Gary, the owner, is a good guy and helpful.

And yes, the V15 is a terrific cartridge, and very much worth investing in.
 
sberger said:
If your carts come with styli, and dependent on their condition you already have some winners. The ATE 2& 4 are heavier tracking ellipticals. The other 2 a decent conicals. See if you can find a microscope to give them a check on condition. A jewelers loupe will also work

The online retailer Voice of Music http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cata...=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Pickering&Categories=
still sells original Pickering styli, although as empirelvr pointed out they are becoming scarce. But I would always opt for an original first, if you can get it, then go with the recommended aftermarket options and if you like them you can use them for back ups. In the link I've provided there are excellent options for both light and medium tracking ellipticals and conicals. Gary, the owner, is a good guy and helpful.

And yes, the V15 is a terrific cartridge, and very much worth investing in.
Click to expand...


Thank you for the continuing info and lead(s). I just spoke to Gary - he was the gentleman's gentleman. He answered all my crazy questions with patience and honesty - I too now recommend him and his shop ! :)
 
pace306 said:
...(I think the gem in them are the 2 Stanton 681eee's - they have an amazing sound).
Click to expand...

By the way, going by the inference in your original post, you should know the Stanton 681EEE's body is the same as a Pickering XV-15, so you DO have an XV-15 body. :)
 
Picked up a flea market Dual 1019 over the weekend.
It has a Pickering V15, how do I tell which version it is?
The Stylus has D AM2 on it, can I use any V15 Stylus on it (after I get the sled repaired)?

PickV15.jpeg
 
xrayspex77 said:
Picked up a flea market Dual 1019 over the weekend.
It has a Pickering V15, how do I tell which version it is?
The Stylus has D AM2 on it, can I use any V15 Stylus on it (after I get the sled repaired)?

View attachment 765813
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The stylus you have indicates that it would be a Pickering V15-AM. A lighter tracking conical with a 1 to 3 gram VTF rating. (which means 2 grams is probably the sweet spot for it.)

And yes, any stylus for a V-15 series cartridge would fit and be usable. The 1019 should be able to make good use of the more refined styli in this series, including the AME stylus. (the light tracking elliptical in the series.)
 
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