Shure N44G Stylus - Does this look right?

[Decibel_116]

I purchased a "New Other" Shure N44G stylus for my M44G cartridge. When it came in today, I noticed some crimping of the cantilever. I can't tell if this is something Shure would have done, or if this has been damaged and "repaired" by the last owner. I compared it to an N44-7 stylus, and the crimping is not there. I posted a photo of each for your review. What say you Shure experts?

 

[petemcfc]

That looks like rectified damage,theres a fold on it.
Im no Shure expert but I am a mechanical fitter.

 

[Decibel_116]

That looks like rectified damage,theres a fold on it.
Im no Shure expert but I am a mechanical fitter.

The thing that is really throwing me off is the flattened place between the first crease up toward the cartridge and the lower crease. It almost looks like this could have been done by Shure to "adjust" the cantilever for proper contact with the record. The only scenario this fits is an extremely bad quality manufacturing requiring a "correction" of cantilever alignment because of issues at the factory. This is the first one I have seen like this. the N35X doesn't have creased either.

I need to challenge the seller and ask for a refund if this was not done at the factory.

 

[petemcfc]

Needle nose pliers could have caused that flattening,the crease could lead to metal fatigue.
Just a guess by the way.

 

[ripblade]

That looks like rectified damage,theres a fold on it.
Im no Shure expert but I am a mechanical fitter.

I agree. The split and kinks were caused by the pliers used to straighten or reshape the cantilever.

I doubt it's factory work, but I could be wrong.

 

[Decibel_116]

I agree. The split and kinks were caused by the pliers used to straighten or reshape the cantilever.

I doubt it's factory work, but I could be wrong.

I have sent the photo to Shure customer support to get their opinion. I wonder if they are still staffing phono cartridge customer support.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Shure is getting out of the cartridge game.