Stylus mishap! Yikes!

[bambino]

I was playing a record on my Fluance turntable with ortofon blue cartridge. The volume was off and I thought the cue lever was up and went to move the needle. Turned out the cue lever was down and so I must have just yanked it out of the groove, possible at more of a sideways angle, while it was playing! The sound was off so I didn’t hear exactly how much scratching I did. Record sounds fine, but I’m worried how likely it is I damaged the stylus. It looks ok and sounds ok.

What are the odds I messed it up? Is it possible it survived something like that? I don’t want it to damage my records if there’s anything wrong with it. What should I be listening for when it comes to stylus/needle damage? Thanks!

 

[beat_truck]

If it looks and sounds fine, it probably is fine. I wouldn't worry too much. If the cantilever is obviously bent or skewed, then I'd worry.

 

[Tiver]

Many cantilevers have a fair amount of forgiveness. I agree with beat_truck, if everything looks straight and everything sounds good, you are likely fine.

That would be a shame to lose that stylus as replacements are not inexpensive.

 

[bambino]

Thanks. If a stylus is damaged like that what would happen to the sound? Would it be obvious Or more of a subtle lessening of quality? Now I find myself over analyzing every recording wondering if I subtly degraded the sound coming through the stylus.

 

[Tiver]

Thanks. If a stylus is damaged like that what would happen to the sound? Would it be obvious Or more of a subtle lessening of quality? Now I find myself over analyzing every recording wondering if I subtly degraded the sound coming through the stylus.

You did not likely damage the stylus if it is till playing well enough that you have to concentrate really hard and still end up wondering.

The cantilever is another story. Still, if it looks straight and doesn't show signs of damage, you are more than likely fine. Just give it a close visual inspection. Maybe don't play your bestest rekkids for the next few spins until you are fully satisfied everything is sonically as it should be

 

[Joel_l]

I just did this the other day. My volume was not off, the sound was ugly. Stylus and record seem fine.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Thanks. If a stylus is damaged like that what would happen to the sound? Would it be obvious Or more of a subtle lessening of quality? Now I find myself over analyzing every recording wondering if I subtly degraded the sound coming through the stylus.

If you don't have a jeweler's loupe then it's a good idea to get one. I'm sure you didn't harm the stylus/cantilever or you would see it canted to the side.

But it's still nice to have to inspect the stylus for built up crud, check new stylus for correct mount, etc.

They're cheap and many come with a built in LED light, less than $10.

 

[Blue Shadow]

You have a nude diamond attached to the cantilever. If you did not bend anything out of line you didn't do any audible damage.

With a red, bonded tip, you could have ripped the diamond off the nub it is glued to on the cantilever resulting in no sound, just a tonearm sliding across the record.

Back to your cartridge, if you can't see bend, misalignment, you won't hear it. You might not hear anything until there is a lot of misalignment cause most don't listen that critically.

With no damage done, sit back, relax and enjoy the music while patting yourself on the back for having the volume down and not sending the noise of the misadventure through your speakers.

 

[bambino]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I can rest easy!

for future reference, what does stylus damage or misalignment usually sound like when it’s audible?

 

[Blue Shadow]

Channels can be unbalanced if the nail doesn't sit right to read both, they are @ 45 degrees off to the left and right of vertical.

Bad sibilance from too light a tracking force or a nail in the wrong place on the arm. Some sibilance can be expected depending on equipment and record but it shouldn't be much and not often. Proper cartridge alignment must be done each time a new cartridge is installed and this shouldn't change if the screws stay tight.

Garbled sound is a dirty nail. Very tip of the diamond is all that rides in the groove but if not cleaned regularly dirt piles up to the point of preventing the nail from reaching the bottom on the groove and boy does that sound like crap.