Hi all,

Does anyone have a spare cartridge for a 1960s Astor G10L portable phonograph for sale? The stylus in my unit is worn and in need of replacement. If it helps, I believe it uses a Monarch GU7 turntable unit in it.

Thank you,

Chris

Is there a type number on that cartridge? Is it mono or stereo? Does it play 33/45rpm only or does it have a flip over for 78s?

Try this company, they may have a new one that is suitable.

http://www.soundring.com.au/hi-fi-cartridges/.

I bought a new cartridge for a 60's Kriesler radiogram a few years back and it worked perfectly.

They were very helpful, just sent them an email with all details and they worked out which one.

Chris,

The cartridge in your Astor is a BSR TC8 "ful-fi". There are a few different versions depending on the output voltage you require. The more common ones, like yours, is brown. There is a higher output version which is orange. There is also a stereo version which is white. These take a Goldring type 35 stylus, which come in sapphire, diamond, LP & 78 versions. The type 35 styli are easy to come by, but finding a good TC8 cartridge maybe a bit harder.

How would I go about replacing the stylus? I'm in need of one for the 33/45RPM side of the cartridge, as it is very weak. Where would I find one, as searching yielded no recognisable results.

Chris

It sounds like the problem lies with the cartridge, not the stylus. Unless you want play 78 records, I'd swap the stylii around and use the LP one on the 78 side. Also it would be a good idea to examine the stylii under a microscope. The LP stylus tip should have a sharp point and the 78 will have a rounded tip. I've found in most cases in 1960's record players that the 78 stylii were rarely used and therefore in good condition. Under no circumstances do you use a 78 stylus to play a LP record. Not only will it sound dreadful but it could skate and damage the record.

The Goldring 35 stylii are fairly generic and were used in lots of different styles of cartridges. They were originally found in Ronette cartridges that were common in Collaro record-changers. They can be found under various names including BSR, Astatic & Ronette.
Here is an example here:
http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Ronette.

Most dealers in stylii would have them or know about them.

With the cartridge I replaced the rubber suspension for the stylus had perished and was falling to pieces.

Thereby the cartridge was unserviceable and was glad to get a replacement.

If possible suggest a whole new cartridge.

Chris, good-quality Japanese copies of the BSR TC8 series can still be found at reasonable prices.