Dominic Harper
Registered User
For anyone interested, I am expanding my business to include cartridge repairs.
The rebuilding extends to most cartridges. This obviously depends on
each individual cartridge, and I will need to see the cartridge and
examine what can be done.
I have managed to do a deal with Fritz
Gyger for their FGII, and FG S styli, not cheap but certainly one ,if
not the best styli available.
This is incredibly intense work as you can imagine and as such will not be cheap.
If the cantilever is damaged and needs replacing, this can in most cases
be replaced with a boron or ruby cantilever.
FG S with ruby cantilever £350.
FG II retip to existing cantilever £250
Boron cantilever and micro ridge tip £250
If the cartridge has damaged suspension or coils, I will quote on an idividual basis.
All cartridges sent are subject to a £30 inspection fee, included if further work undertaken.
Bear in mind, the ruby cantilever and FG stylus will be a dramatic upgrade.
I must add, there is another very important factor concerning mainly MC
cartridges which never seems to be discussed elsewhere, that is
missalignment due to use. What I mean is not everyone uses the
lift/lower device on their arms, prefering to do the job by hand. This
can cause tremendous strain on a cartridges suspension and in a lot of
cases altering the suspension or even twisting the cantilever/coil
assembly. I have examind many used and even brand new styli only to find
azimuth issues and on used carts stretched suspension. Rubber
suspension dampers are pretty hardy, but tension wires are not.
Skewed cantilevers are a common sight on used carts. This is usually a result
of a kink in the suspension wire. This is very difficult to remedy, not
impossible. Some cantilevers are obviously bent, but this usaully means
the wire is bent also, so it is not a great idea to try and bend it back
yourself.
Another notion going around is old carts have duff
suspension, mainly going stiff over time. I have yet to find one that
just needed a re-alignment of the azimuth and re-tension of the damper
to be perfectly fine.
For those interested, I will examine styli for wear, plus re-align coil and suspension for £70 plus return postage.
If the stylus has excessive wear and no further work is appropriate, this will cost £30 plus return postage.
Cartrides have always held a particular fascination to me, and now I have the means to do this rewarding and delicate work.
In the background, I will be experimenting with at least one, maybe more,
new cartridges of my own design, plus some tonearm and headshell idea I
have. Watch this space!
If anyone has any duff cartridges knocking
about they no longer need, can you please get in touch with me with a
view to forwarding them on for experimentation and knowledge purposes.
Thank you.
Dom
www.northwestanalogue.weebly.com
Goldring G800 in pieces showing its construction
G800 after re-tip
Close up of G800 tip
Denon DL110
DL110 with new hand made cantilever and Shibata tip
Supex coil formers being hand made
Hand winding the coils
The rebuilding extends to most cartridges. This obviously depends on
each individual cartridge, and I will need to see the cartridge and
examine what can be done.
I have managed to do a deal with Fritz
Gyger for their FGII, and FG S styli, not cheap but certainly one ,if
not the best styli available.
This is incredibly intense work as you can imagine and as such will not be cheap.
If the cantilever is damaged and needs replacing, this can in most cases
be replaced with a boron or ruby cantilever.
FG S with ruby cantilever £350.
FG II retip to existing cantilever £250
Boron cantilever and micro ridge tip £250
If the cartridge has damaged suspension or coils, I will quote on an idividual basis.
All cartridges sent are subject to a £30 inspection fee, included if further work undertaken.
Bear in mind, the ruby cantilever and FG stylus will be a dramatic upgrade.
I must add, there is another very important factor concerning mainly MC
cartridges which never seems to be discussed elsewhere, that is
missalignment due to use. What I mean is not everyone uses the
lift/lower device on their arms, prefering to do the job by hand. This
can cause tremendous strain on a cartridges suspension and in a lot of
cases altering the suspension or even twisting the cantilever/coil
assembly. I have examind many used and even brand new styli only to find
azimuth issues and on used carts stretched suspension. Rubber
suspension dampers are pretty hardy, but tension wires are not.
Skewed cantilevers are a common sight on used carts. This is usually a result
of a kink in the suspension wire. This is very difficult to remedy, not
impossible. Some cantilevers are obviously bent, but this usaully means
the wire is bent also, so it is not a great idea to try and bend it back
yourself.
Another notion going around is old carts have duff
suspension, mainly going stiff over time. I have yet to find one that
just needed a re-alignment of the azimuth and re-tension of the damper
to be perfectly fine.
For those interested, I will examine styli for wear, plus re-align coil and suspension for £70 plus return postage.
If the stylus has excessive wear and no further work is appropriate, this will cost £30 plus return postage.
Cartrides have always held a particular fascination to me, and now I have the means to do this rewarding and delicate work.
In the background, I will be experimenting with at least one, maybe more,
new cartridges of my own design, plus some tonearm and headshell idea I
have. Watch this space!
If anyone has any duff cartridges knocking
about they no longer need, can you please get in touch with me with a
view to forwarding them on for experimentation and knowledge purposes.
Thank you.
Dom
www.northwestanalogue.weebly.com
Goldring G800 in pieces showing its construction
G800 after re-tip
Close up of G800 tip
Denon DL110
DL110 with new hand made cantilever and Shibata tip
Supex coil formers being hand made
Hand winding the coils
