Garrard autoslim stylus advice - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

NeilNovice · 11th Jun 2022, 6:19 pm

Hi all, my first post.

I have recently purchased a Blaupunkt Arkansas with Garrard Autoslim deck & am planning on giving it a general service plus replace the stylus/cartridge as necessary.

Can I replace just the stylus, image attached, or do I have to replace the complete cartridge.

Also, what is the correct item to fit & where do I find these parts?

Many thank in advance.

Audio1950 · 11th Jun 2022, 7:23 pm

Hi Neil, and welcome to the forum.

Yes, you can buy the stylus here and many other places, Just type in" stylus for a Ronette 105 cartridge" (or a BF40)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325190642...HfoAAOSwtsRgUj

Barry

Stuart R · 11th Jun 2022, 11:39 pm

Hello Neil,

You may know this already - you have a 'turn-over' cartridge so you can fit a different stylus to each side. Buy a 78 one for playing old Shellac records and the LP 33/45 for vinyl.

Your photo suggests you could have just finished playing vinyl with the 78 stylus. The coloured lettering that's uppermost tells you which stylus is in use. (Or that's what I always thought!)

Do I see a second Arkansas just in shot?

Kind Regards,

SR

Edward Huggins · 12th Jun 2022, 9:18 am

Yes, it does look as if you have just played that 45 with the 78 stylus. Not a good idea! Your Ronette 105 cartridge is an early Stereo type and as such has a rather poor vertical compliance. If you are not going to play highly treasured, or new pristine Stereo LPs on this, then do continue to use it but with a new LP stylus.

NeilNovice · 25th Jun 2022, 9:07 am

Many thanks for your replies, I will go ahead and order the new stylus.
Any more servicing advice would be appreciated.

I didn't use the 78 needle for vinyls but good advice.

Yes I have two, purchased the first which needs a turntable with the intention of fitting one, then saw the second which is complete & couldn't resist.

Edward Huggins · 26th Jun 2022, 7:50 am

If the other Radiogram you have was originally fitted with a Garrard "Autoslim", be aware there are a number of Garrard autochangers (and the SP25 single player) that will be an easy "drop-in" fit.

rockinmark · 27th Jun 2022, 6:06 pm

I'm not sure of the amp it goes to but you can use a flip over Chinese cartridge where the needle will be much kinder to more modern records and they are cheap

labratmike · 28th Jun 2022, 9:42 pm

Looks lovely. I’ve just inherited my Grandfather’s Arkansas. Also with a Garrand turntable. It looks like it may have the wrong cartridge fitted. A BRS X5H. Would be good to compare notes. Your turntable looks identical.

I plan to get more photos and serial numbers off mine in the next couple of days.

Cheers

Mike

labratmike · 28th Jun 2022, 9:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockinmark

I'm not sure of the amp it goes to but you can use a flip over Chinese cartridge where the needle will be much kinder to more modern records and they are cheap

I have a similar radiogram / turntable. Could you point me to the flip over Chinese cartridges please Mark? New to all this.

Thanks

Mike

labratmike · 28th Jun 2022, 9:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by labratmike

Looks lovely. I’ve just inherited my Grandfather’s Arkansas. Also with a Garrand turntable. It looks like it may have the wrong cartridge fitted. A BRS X5H. Would be good to compare notes. Your turntable looks identical.

I plan to get more photos and serial numbers off mine in the next couple of days.

Cheers

Mike

Sorry - Garrard - typo 😞

11th Jun 2022, 6:19 pm	#1
NeilNovice Diode Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 2	Garrard autoslim stylus advice Hi all, my first post. I have recently purchased a Blaupunkt Arkansas with Garrard Autoslim deck & am planning on giving it a general service plus replace the stylus/cartridge as necessary. Can I replace just the stylus, image attached, or do I have to replace the complete cartridge. Also, what is the correct item to fit & where do I find these parts? Many thank in advance. Attached Thumbnails

11th Jun 2022, 7:23 pm	#2
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice Hi Neil, and welcome to the forum. Yes, you can buy the stylus here and many other places, Just type in" stylus for a Ronette 105 cartridge" (or a BF40) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325190642...HfoAAOSwtsRgUj Barry Last edited by Audio1950; 11th Jun 2022 at 7:30 pm.

11th Jun 2022, 11:39 pm	#3
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice Hello Neil, You may know this already - you have a 'turn-over' cartridge so you can fit a different stylus to each side. Buy a 78 one for playing old Shellac records and the LP 33/45 for vinyl. Your photo suggests you could have just finished playing vinyl with the 78 stylus. The coloured lettering that's uppermost tells you which stylus is in use. (Or that's what I always thought!) Do I see a second Arkansas just in shot? Kind Regards, SR

12th Jun 2022, 9:18 am	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice Yes, it does look as if you have just played that 45 with the 78 stylus. Not a good idea! Your Ronette 105 cartridge is an early Stereo type and as such has a rather poor vertical compliance. If you are not going to play highly treasured, or new pristine Stereo LPs on this, then do continue to use it but with a new LP stylus. __________________ Edward.

25th Jun 2022, 9:07 am	#5
NeilNovice Diode Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice Many thanks for your replies, I will go ahead and order the new stylus. Any more servicing advice would be appreciated. I didn't use the 78 needle for vinyls but good advice. Yes I have two, purchased the first which needs a turntable with the intention of fitting one, then saw the second which is complete & couldn't resist.

26th Jun 2022, 7:50 am	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice If the other Radiogram you have was originally fitted with a Garrard "Autoslim", be aware there are a number of Garrard autochangers (and the SP25 single player) that will be an easy "drop-in" fit. __________________ Edward.

27th Jun 2022, 6:06 pm	#7
rockinmark Heptode Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 594	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice I'm not sure of the amp it goes to but you can use a flip over Chinese cartridge where the needle will be much kinder to more modern records and they are cheap

28th Jun 2022, 9:42 pm	#8
labratmike Triode Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 18	Re: Garrard autoslim stylus advice Looks lovely. I’ve just inherited my Grandfather’s Arkansas. Also with a Garrand turntable. It looks like it may have the wrong cartridge fitted. A BRS X5H. Would be good to compare notes. Your turntable looks identical. I plan to get more photos and serial numbers off mine in the next couple of days. Cheers Mike