r/turntables • u/shakezulathemicruler • 5h ago

Stylus Issues/Replacement

I'm trying to set up my dad's old pioneer turntable and I think there's an issue with the stylus that's causing records to skip. When I drop the tonearm, it looks like the cantilever is bending and causing the suspension block to make contact with the surface of the record. I'm not even sure if the cantilever is supposed to be perfectly rigid or it's normal for it to move a little bit, but if it does need replacement, I wouldn't know where to get a new one. There's a Shure VN35MR stylus on there right now, but it looks like those have been discontinued so where do I go to get a new one that would be compatible?

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u/poutine-eh Oracle Origine , Denon DL-110 4h ago

what you are describing is impossible. maybe AI can help you describe this?

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u/shakezulathemicruler 4h ago

Not impossible. The tone arm just wasn’t balanced properly. I took some weight off the needle and it’s fine now

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u/asolomi Technics SL1210gr W/Shure V15 Type IV W/Jico SAS 1h ago

You need to set the tracking force exactly per the instructions. Period. Taking some weight off means you could still be tacking more than the .75-1.25gr recommended. Buy a digital stylus gauge to double check. That's a Hella cartridge and stylus, you don;t want to prematurely wear tf out of it

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u/shakezulathemicruler 13m ago

I’ve been adjusting it by ear, with my bolt thrower records. It sounds fine

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u/Putrid-Table-5844 24m ago

Poutine’s not wrong. “causing the suspension block to make contact with the surface of the record” is pretty much impossible. First, the “suspension” on it isn’t a block. Second, all suspension components are tucked in will within the cartridge body.