Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Ideas For Replacing Record Player Needles

By Michael Campbell


Although numerous new types of media have been deployed to market over the past decades to enhance the way people listen to as well as record music, Vinyl records are still available. In fact, their popularity has increased due to the high demand from younger consumers who are appreciating the broad range of sounds that analog media can offer. New vinyl releases have a digital download code to allow consumers to enjoy the album in a digital presentation. This excerpt offers guidelines on how to replace record player needles.

Finding a good replacement needle is the first step in replacing needle on your recording devices. You need to identify the metal tip, which touches the record and needle housing that correctly fits into the cartridge. Check out directories online and crosscheck any papers/manuals that come with the device. Look at the serial number inscribed on the side of needle cartridge and find a new one that matches with that number. In case your device is antique, you will have to seek professional help.

Apart from buying the new needle, collecting other supplies like compressed air containers and nose pliers is important. Buy quality compressed air from certified brands. You can buy either Falcon Dust-off or Color Research Compressed Air. Use the air to clean the device before fixing the new needle. The nose pliers assist you to free stuck needles easily.

Before you begin to disassemble different parts of your device, make sure you have turned off the device. Both the speaker and other built-in devices should be off. Loose the lock or lever function on your device to free the record player arm. Expose the needle by unscrewing the cartridge headshell. Upon lifting up the arm, you will gain access to the needle and remove it with ease. Use your hand to grip the sides and rotate it gently until it is loose.

In case the old needle is stuck, utilize the nose pliers to free it from a cartridge. Place the old needle far from your working station to prevent it from mixing up with the new one. Spray the area where the old needle was positioned using the compressed air to ensure it is clean.

Use the instruction paper that comes with a new needle to carry out the installation process. If you do not have any instruction manual, fit the good needle specifically where the old one came out. Press the new needle forward into the cartridge by holding it at the top with the tip facing down.

Once you have changed the player needle, the final step is to ensure the device is functioning properly by testing it. Play a record to ensure the installation process was successful. Pay attention to the sound and take note of any popping, skipping, and snapping noises, especially if such sounds were originating from an old needle.

If changing the needle does not rectify the skipping and popping, your player may be having another problem. Regulating the counterweight on the player arm might correct these noises. If the problem persists, you will have to take the player to an expert for assessment and repair.




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