Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

RojDW48 · 15th Dec 2017, 8:27 pm

Can anyone come up with a model number for this cartridge? And is it ceramic or crystal. I think it is the original in a Pye Record Maker I am reviving and discussing in another thread. I would like to keep my eyes open for another one of these - it sounds really nice.

AC/HL · 15th Dec 2017, 8:57 pm

It's a Goldring G500 I believe (magnetic)

Mark_RR · 15th Dec 2017, 8:59 pm

I think it is a variable reluctance cartridge. I have something like it that belonged to my father - I will see if I can find it.
Mark

Mark_RR · 15th Dec 2017, 9:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

It's a Goldring G500 I believe (magnetic)

Yes, the one I have is a G500. Mine has coloured trim plates, green on one side and red on the other, indicating 78 and 33-45 respectively.

Variable reluctance is a type of magnetic cartridge.

RojDW48 · 15th Dec 2017, 9:07 pm

I was just beginning to suspect something of the sort - I lifted up the tonearm to take a look at the spring underneath and brought my anglepoise close to have a good look and it went bzzzzzzz in a suspiciously 'magnetic' way

Yes - G500 looks the part - but I can only find pics of the stereo version on the interweb.

Variable reluctance, eh? That takes me back.

Nuvistor · 15th Dec 2017, 9:14 pm

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/goldring/500.shtml

The frequency response looks restricted, typo?

RojDW48 · 15th Dec 2017, 9:20 pm

Probably Frank - I am currently running the unit into a Celestion SL6 and I would say it is doing a lot better than that! More like that of the original Deccas at around 12Khz

RojDW48 · 16th Dec 2017, 12:03 am

I beg its pardon! I downloaded the brochure and it is claimed to have a frequency response 'substantially linear' of 20Hz - 20,000KHz. I'm not sure it is making it all the way up there in 2017, but it still sounds very nice. I might graft it in to my main hi-fi, just for fun, if the owner doesn't mind, and see how it performs.

lazythread · 16th Dec 2017, 3:16 am

These cartridges will give any modern one a run for it's money on mono records or 78s. Musonic list replacement styli. I have a 600 which sounds superb in a modern system.

vidjoman · 16th Dec 2017, 9:39 am

I also have a 600 which has the benefit of a Mu-metal case for magnetic screening. I suspect it's basically the same as the 500 inside. The smoothness of the frequency response will be dependent on the hardness/ageing of the soft mounting of the stylus.
One of the best available in it's day and still very good being ideal for 78's and mono lp's.

RojDW48 · 16th Dec 2017, 11:46 am

The first ones I saw on the net had a casing around them, which threw me initially and yes, it plays 78s really well. Many years ago I had a big, chunky EMI unipivot tonearm with (I think) their version of a VR cartridge - sadly it was beyond repair.

Techman · 16th Dec 2017, 1:44 pm

It looks very similar (but more 'stubby') to the old Garrard 'turn-over-magnetic' types 1 & 2 which certainly did suffer from hardened stylus suspension. Unfortunately, this now makes most of them sound dreadful.

RojDW48 · 18th Dec 2017, 1:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazythread

These cartridges will give any modern one a run for it's money on mono records or 78s. Musonic list replacement styli. I have a 600 which sounds superb in a modern system.

Thanks for the steer re- Musonic, Richard. I shall include that info when I return it to its rightful owner.

Sixer-h · 18th Dec 2017, 11:33 pm

Thanks for introducing me to UKVR (really helpful threads). and thanks sorting it out for me. By all means graft it to your deck. The stylus suspension was like rock when I investigated it and needs replacing. I'll order one from Musonic tomorrow. I look forward to hearing the Pye playing soon.
Thanks again,

15th Dec 2017, 8:27 pm	#1
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge Can anyone come up with a model number for this cartridge? And is it ceramic or crystal. I think it is the original in a Pye Record Maker I am reviving and discussing in another thread. I would like to keep my eyes open for another one of these - it sounds really nice. Attached Thumbnails __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

15th Dec 2017, 8:57 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge It's a Goldring G500 I believe (magnetic)

15th Dec 2017, 8:59 pm	#3
Mark_RR Tetrode Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 78	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge I think it is a variable reluctance cartridge. I have something like it that belonged to my father - I will see if I can find it. Mark __________________ Mark

15th Dec 2017, 9:07 pm	#5
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge I was just beginning to suspect something of the sort - I lifted up the tonearm to take a look at the spring underneath and brought my anglepoise close to have a good look and it went bzzzzzzz in a suspiciously 'magnetic' way Yes - G500 looks the part - but I can only find pics of the stereo version on the interweb. Variable reluctance, eh? That takes me back. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

15th Dec 2017, 9:14 pm	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge https://www.vinylengine.com/library/goldring/500.shtml The frequency response looks restricted, typo? __________________ Frank

15th Dec 2017, 9:20 pm	#7
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge Probably Frank - I am currently running the unit into a Celestion SL6 and I would say it is doing a lot better than that! More like that of the original Deccas at around 12Khz __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) Last edited by RojDW48; 15th Dec 2017 at 9:21 pm. Reason: more info

16th Dec 2017, 12:03 am	#8
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge I beg its pardon! I downloaded the brochure and it is claimed to have a frequency response 'substantially linear' of 20Hz - 20,000KHz. I'm not sure it is making it all the way up there in 2017, but it still sounds very nice. I might graft it in to my main hi-fi, just for fun, if the owner doesn't mind, and see how it performs. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

16th Dec 2017, 3:16 am	#9
lazythread Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Berkshire, UK. Posts: 124	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge These cartridges will give any modern one a run for it's money on mono records or 78s. Musonic list replacement styli. I have a 600 which sounds superb in a modern system. __________________ Richard It's great when it goes around to make a sound.

16th Dec 2017, 9:39 am	#10
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge I also have a 600 which has the benefit of a Mu-metal case for magnetic screening. I suspect it's basically the same as the 500 inside. The smoothness of the frequency response will be dependent on the hardness/ageing of the soft mounting of the stylus. One of the best available in it's day and still very good being ideal for 78's and mono lp's.

16th Dec 2017, 11:46 am	#11
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge The first ones I saw on the net had a casing around them, which threw me initially and yes, it plays 78s really well. Many years ago I had a big, chunky EMI unipivot tonearm with (I think) their version of a VR cartridge - sadly it was beyond repair. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

16th Dec 2017, 1:44 pm	#12
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge It looks very similar (but more 'stubby') to the old Garrard 'turn-over-magnetic' types 1 & 2 which certainly did suffer from hardened stylus suspension. Unfortunately, this now makes most of them sound dreadful.

18th Dec 2017, 11:33 pm	#14
Sixer-h Triode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Congresbury, Somerset, UK. Posts: 21	Re: Goldring ceramic (?) cartridge Thanks for introducing me to UKVR (really helpful threads). and thanks sorting it out for me. By all means graft it to your deck. The stylus suspension was like rock when I investigated it and needs replacing. I'll order one from Musonic tomorrow. I look forward to hearing the Pye playing soon. Thanks again,