Garrard SP25 MK III needle.

[dafyddtomos]

I am a complete novice so please ignore my ignorance.

I have a Garrard SP25 MK III that I am toldis in fine working order but has no needle. Where the needle should be there are 3 wires.

Is it easy to attach a new needle and can anyone recommend a good place to buy a replacement?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks.

[Audio1950]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Firstly, there should be four wires,but it looks as though the whole arm has been wired with just three. It's not a needle (stylus is the proper term) that you need, it's the complete cartridge, which is the thing that holds the stylus. Which one you choose will depend on what amplifier you are going to use the deck with. Is this deck part of a record player, or is it going to be used as part of a hi-fi set up, with separate speakers?
But before fitting any new cartridge, you will need to rewire the arm so that there are four wires, which all new stereo cartridges need.

[Station X]

Are there not four wires, black, white, red and green?

[AndiiT]

Hi, there are a couple of (slightly) worrying things about that picture, first of all looking at the relationship of the tonearm to the controls it shouldn't be possible to turn it to that angle unless I am missing something.

Also it appears that the original cartridge slide out carrier has been removed and the cartridge connecting wires have been soldered directly to the tonearm tags.

Is there any chance of a picture of the whole of the deck just to either confirm or dispel my suspicions of what I have mentioned

Regards

Andrew

[Records]

I agree you shouldnt be able to put that tone arm in that position, i suspect its either been snapped off or the pin at the end of the tone arm is not present

[teetoon]

Hi. The OP has said he is a complete novice and as such is not familiar with this deck.
I would suggest he has removed the arm bearing screws being un aware of the slide out carrier.
The four wires are present but the black and green are connected to one tag as this deck was originally fitted with an Acos GP 104 with only 3 pins. Also the platter is the steel type so may not suit a magnetic cartridge.

I think we need more information as to wether this is part of a complete player or a stand alone turntable, and if the latter what Dafyd intends to connect it to.

Hope this sounds ok.

David.

[dafyddtomos]

Thanks for your replies!

I unscrewed the arm so I could twis it to have a look underneath.

I have attached a picture of the whole player.

It will be used with 2 large speakers but unfortunately they're still at my parents' house but will get a description of them asap.

Just noticed there are 4 wires. The green and black wire come together.

As I said I am a complete novice.

[Herald1360]

If it's just a deck in a plinth with no amplifier built in, you'll need to get one before you can drive any loudspeakers from it!

A general picture showing everything you have in the system would clarify things for us.

[teetoon]

Hi Dafyd, if you look at the front of the arm you will see a small lug on each side with lines on it which you grip between thumb and finger and pull the carrier forward. It may be a little stiff as it's probably not been out in a long time.

If this is a complete record player with built in amp, then you will need a ceramic cartridge. Something like a BSR SC 12M would be a suitable replacement but you will need to seperate the earth wres with another tag fitted as all stereo cartridges now use four wires.

Hope this helps.. David.

[dafyddtomos]

Thank you all again! I will try and get the speakers asap (could be a few days) to hopefully better explain what I have and need.

Thanks again for your help so far!

[Audio1950]

Originally Posted by Station X

Are there not four wires, black, white, red and green?

I should have gone to Specsavers!

[ms660]

Looks like the cartridge that was fitted was a 3 pin job and the push on connector for the white wire has since been lost.

Connections normally as follows:

Red = RH channel.
Green = RH channel ground.
White = LH channel.
Black = LH channel ground.

The SP25 MK111 manual is freely available on the web to download.

Lawrence.

[dafyddtomos]

Ok I finally have the speakers. These are the original speakers and planning to play it through these.

So really looking for what it is I need to buy to get this playing and where can I buy one from.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

[Station X]

Who made the actual tuner/Amplifier under the turntable? Garrard will only have made the turntable or more correctly "deck".

[dafyddtomos]

How do I find this out?

[AndiiT]

Hi, the unit looks like a Fidelity UA1

Regards

Andrew

[Records]

If it is the Fidelity then they are a good sounding unit, a girlfriend had one years ago, I certainly wouldn't consider changing the turntables. If I remember correctly those units only had tape input, 5 pin DIN I think?

[dafyddtomos]

Ok, please excuse my ignorance but if it is a Fidelity then which stylus should I be looking for?

Also any recomendations on where to get them.

[lazythread]

I'm guessing that the original cartridge could have been an Acos GP104, which had three pins and a bracket that is similar. If so, there are a few new ones around for sale on eBay and the web. Fitting one will be straightforward, come back if you need any help. The new ones should come with a stylus fitted.

To fit another cartridge is trickier and will need the two joined wires to be separated and a new clip fitted, you'll need a soldering iron for this. An easier option is to get another cartridge carrier with 4 wires (Google Garrard C2 cartridge carrier) again there are plenty around.

The SP25III is a good deck. Take care not to damage the pivot pins when you replace the arm. Good luck.

[Station X]

Before buying a new cartridge check that the unit works as a radio. If not you may be wasting your money.