How to Replace a Turntable Stylus

If your stylus (record needle) is slipping and sliding over your records, you can usually replace it without buying a whole new cartridge.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Record Styli
• Needle-nose Pliers
• Needle-nose Pliers

1. Clean the stylus to see if that helps (see "How to Clean a Turntable Stylus," under Related eHows).

2. Write down the make, model, and, if possible, serial number of your turntable.

3. See if your stylus cartridge (the box on the tonearm where the stylus is connected) has a separate make and model. Write these down, too.

4. Buy a new stylus for your turntable at an electronics repair store. The proper stylus type should be listed in a book at the store. Tell the salesperson the make and model of your turntable and cartridge, if appropriate.

5. Remove the old stylus. If the new stylus doesn't come with directions, try these: With one hand, hold the stylus cartridge to steady it. With the other hand, using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers, grasp the end of the needle and pull.

6. Install the new stylus. Holding the stylus from the top, press it gently into the space at the tip of the cartridge where the old stylus had been. Don't force it.

7. Play a record to test the new stylus, and adjust it if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• See "How to Buy a Phono Cartridge," under Related eHows, for more about cartridges.
• Diamond-tipped styli are more expensive than others but last longer.
• Styli are fragile. Wipe oil off of your hands before handling them and take care not to bend them.

[motboy2]

on 6/21/2009 i am new to using DJ turntables, i bought some Stanton t60's the other day but they didn't come with needles, only the cartridge, i have been wanting to know whether or not i can replace just the needle without replacing the whole cartridge, can i do this???????? please help lol

[vinylritchie]

on 5/3/2009 ^ try unplugging and then replugging in your cables. Upgrade to gold adapters. Take the needles off, dust them off and if you can't remember what the needles looked like new, then bring one to your local music store and compare it to a new needle. If your're using vinyl maybe its a bad press. If you have serato or something similar, maybe the tracks you're playing a shitty MP3 rips. On your laptop make sure you have the correct volume settings and EQ.

[sevetaz]

on 11/21/2008 HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE STYLUS NEEDS REPLACING, IM GETTING VERY LITTLE SOUND OUT OF A TECHNICS SL1210 MK2 NO MATTER WHAT AMP SOURCE I USE