Cartridge ID Please.

[MarkEg1505]

Could someone identify this cartridge please?

[RojDW48]

Sonotone 3509 branded Garrard? I think.

[MarkEg1505]

The rubber/plastic pickup mount is missing. Can I get another or do I need to replace the cartridge?

[RojDW48]

Do you mean the mount (clip) for fitting the cartridge or the little rest that the business end of the stylus pops into? A mounting clip without a cart is rare but not impossible - try The Stylus Lady - http://www.thestyluslady.co.uk/ As for the other.... I have no idea.

[Edward Huggins]

If this Garrard branded stereo cartridge is working OK, you may need to fabricate a plastic mount and/or a through screw and spacer arranbement. Do not use BluTak!

[martinhog]

It's a Sontone 3509 cartridge but branded as a Garrard KS40A. Mid output stereo ceramic cartridge.

[MarkEg1505]

Thanks for the input. Is there a more modern replacement cartridge?

[Edward Huggins]

Any cartridge you buy now wll be no more sonically advanced than the Sonotone/Garrard you now have now - except they will be New (Very) Old Stock! The only ones available now are likely to be the BSR SC11M/12M or H - and arguably no better.

[RojDW48]

There's not much I know of. There are the little red Chuo Denshi items which infest newer decks like a rash and they don't sound bad at all... but mounting clips for them are like hens' teeth! The BSR SC12M makes a nice noise - but they are NOS from the same era. Sonotone 3509s are still available here and there and they are as good as any.

[MarkEg1505]

Again, thanks very much. I have the mounting clip, it's just the tiny rubber/plastic stylus support that is missing. Is it absolutely essential?

[Nuvistor]

If it's the piece of flexible mounting that the stylus fits into near the diamond then yes it's essential, it carries the movement of the stylus tip to the ceramic/crystal element that produces the very small audio signal.
Frank

[MarkEg1505]

thanks Frank. So if it's missing/damaged, does that require that the cartridge be replaced?

[Nuvistor]

Some people are adept at repairs but not me, I think it's safe to say a replacement cartridge is required.
Just to be sure post a photo of that area of the cartridge just in case I misunderstand your description.
Frank

[MarkEg1505]

Understood -- thanks. I also need to replace a couple of the crimp connectors for the female connections which will attach to the cartridge. Does anyone know the wiring diameter? Seems very small

[RojDW48]

I would be inclined to solder those connectors rather than crimp (or both). They are fiddly (and play old Harry with my failing eyesight!). Cartridge tags are fairly readily available and can usually be adjusted to fit the cartridge pins by very careful application of a pair of pliers.

['LIVEWIRE?']

...but don't solder the tags whilst they are attached to the cartridge. The heat from the iron will ruin the cartridge.

[RojDW48]

Originally Posted by 'LIVEWIRE?'

...but don't solder the tags whilst they are attached to the cartridge. The heat from the iron will ruin the cartridge.

Well said! I use a little tiny vice.

[tracypaper]

I have some unused old stock Sonotone 3549s if interested? they are the same design and will fit your mount, just branded differently and with a different output I guess, someone will know the output.
yours for a tiny fee and postage.
PM me to discuss if interested.
Gaz.

[Edward Huggins]

I woud have though that as the Sonotone 3509 (NB: 3509m = Mono) and 3549 are both stereo ceramic types, their outputs woud be quite similar c.200mV.