The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Subject: Edison DD Replacement Stylus's

I have come to the conclusion that my Edison Diamond Disc needs a Replacement Stylus.

Who makes/sells the best Crossbar repro??

All that I need is the stylus. The rest I can do myself.

Please reply.

Thanks,

Tony K.

I think ultimately, regardless of whoever is selling them, the source is always Expert Pickups in the UK.

Given the problem with quality control issues with some (certainly not all) recent Expert Stylus examples, would it be unreasonable to expect a dealer to guarantee replacement if the styli doesn't play properly and scores the record grooves? However, the dealer would be within his/her rights to do the rebuild so the reproducer could be bench-tested before finalizing the transaction.
I'm assuming that both buyer and dealer are aware that any machine has to be adjusted to track the record properly so no groove (or stylus) damage happens for whatever reason.
These days I'd recommend having a dealer do the replacement so you'd have some sort of recourse if you're unhappy with the results.

Bob

I agree.

Personally I'd always prefer to have someone who knows what they are doing do the rebuild for you.

If you are going to do the rebuild yourself, I'd buy directly from Expert Pickups so you have direct recourse.

Worst case would be to buy from an intermediary, do the rebuild yourself, find your expensive stylus is defective and then have the intermediary not take it back. He's out of warranty with Expert, possibly having the styli for some time and assumes you might have screwed it up yourself during the rebuild.

What has brought you to the conclusion that the stylus is defective? Not trying to be argumentative at all, just wondering what the symptoms are and if you have consideed other possible causes.

Jim

phonojim wrote:What has brought you to the conclusion that the stylus is defective? Not trying to be argumentative at all, just wondering what the symptoms are and if you have consideed other possible causes.

Jim

I've not experienced it myself but apparently at one time Expert Pickups had some styli that some said left a scratch on the record. I believe the problem is fixed but there could still be some of those out there.

My point was to eliminate the "who done it" arguements, either buy directly from the source who you trust would honor the warranty or have an experienced rebuilder who does regular business with Expert Pickups.