They laughed until the DIY retips started to play

[1200y3]

It has to be kept in mind that most of my "experiments" deal with generic styli,which have quite large cantilever tubes. I cut the stylus tip about 1/8" from the end (diamond end) and slip it over a needle that fits.

I repaired a stylus one time with an A/T Technicraft TC 4000, which is a beautiful nude shank line contact from the late 80s. I had nothing to lose except for this tip which was so tiny the job was nearly impossible. I used a fresh drop of Krazy Glue on the OUTSIDE of the 1/32" length of cantilever that was available, and it worked, and is still alive today. That is, the cactus needle was attached to the outside cercumference of the cantilever tube, as the fine stylus cantilever was very soft and squashed so I could not get it to slide over a cactus needle. I rarely use it and I have no idea how permanent this will be. But when I decide to use it full time, I will find a low viscosity or consistency enamel cement to give an "extra drop" of bond strength.

You can see that I have such small involvement with this particular thred due to the reason that it is quite different repairing the high quality styli vs generics. But a link above reminded me that DIY AUDIO forum and a couple others have some incredible DIY turntable talk, and little about DIY styli.

[Audioplus93]

Just started researching DIT re-tipping. These comments are of great interest. Particularly in respect to MMC style B&O stylus. MMC5 - MMC1 any ideas on how to upgrade a worn MMC5 to a MMC3 or MMC1? Even an exact match would be of great interest.
Thanks for the insight!

[Audioplus93]

I did intend to state DIY re-tipping . . .

[Blue Angel]

I have just completed repairs to two B&O cartridges. One for a friend @gratis and the other for a customer. In both repairs, I used Gyger FG11 cantilever/styli assemblies. I must say I was a bit apprehensive about these jobs but it all worked out OK.

ba

[Blue Angel]

It has to be kept in mind that most of my "experiments" deal with generic styli,which have quite large cantilever tubes. I cut the stylus tip about 1/8" from the end (diamond end) and slip it over a needle that fits.

I repaired a stylus one time with an A/T Technicraft TC 4000, which is a beautiful nude shank line contact from the late 80s. I had nothing to lose except for this tip which was so tiny the job was nearly impossible. I used a fresh drop of Krazy Glue on the OUTSIDE of the 1/32" length of cantilever that was available, and it worked, and is still alive today. That is, the cactus needle was attached to the outside cercumference of the cantilever tube, as the fine stylus cantilever was very soft and squashed so I could not get it to slide over a cactus needle. I rarely use it and I have no idea how permanent this will be. But when I decide to use it full time, I will find a low viscosity or consistency enamel cement to give an "extra drop" of bond strength.

You can see that I have such small involvement with this particular thred due to the reason that it is quite different repairing the high quality styli vs generics. But a link above reminded me that DIY AUDIO forum and a couple others have some incredible DIY turntable talk, and little about DIY styli.

Thanks for the detailed reply 1200y3. Quite ingenuous you are.

ba

[Audioplus93]

Ouch, either way, it sounds quite pricey, either a Sound Smith retip or the Gyger FG11. Guess cactus styli won't work with MMC cartridages?

Thanks for the input!

[mrow2]

I had run a recent thread on my AT 8008 repair, which is one of my better ones. This one got the original stylus bonded to a surrogate AT stylus holder, as far as I can tell the suspensions of these holders are the same. In this instance I'd trust an AT holder over an aftermarket one, but each case is different.



I presently believe in using two-part cement (Epoxy) and have several types. My method requires two or three applications spread over 24hrs. First application is just to join the sections and hold position only; subsequent application(s) are for increased strength and uniformity. I've reinserted diamonds into cantilevers twice (difficult) and joined Frankenstylus creations a number of times. Have not graduated to a MC yet, because I don't have any. Have tried the cactus spine once, it works and is useful when I have no way to join two tubes directly.

By the way, I have lost a few cantilevers and stylus bits on the garage floor. I've found all but one. Best way was to sweep the floor and look at the pile of dirt. The wayward piece is usually in it. Have found tiny screws and nuts this way too. I examine tips under the microscope for damage, have not seen any.
I had a favorite Shure M95ED that evidently rotted off from years of isopropyl cleaning. I managed to find it and resurrect it into something else (maybe a Shure-Realistic cartridge) eventually.

[Paladin]

At VE, we saw the cactus-concept and we built the first cactus cantilevers first!

Speaking of Soundsmith: cactus cantilevers are promoted as an important new discovery. Cactus cantilevers is the main feature in Soundsmith’s new top of the line Hyperion cartridges. Others are just starting to figure it out how good cactus thorns work.

From the Vinyl Anachronistic:

Thursday, October 20, 2011

“This year, however, he made a bold move by introducing a new cartridge, the Hyperion, that uses a cactus needle for a cantilever. “

“But Peter is not using cactus needles as the stylus, but as the cantilever. It turns out that it's an almost ideal solution since strong fibers run through the length of needle, adding to its rigidity. These fibers are also create spaces within the needle that are filled, over time, with a unique natural resin that excels at damping and controlling energy and resonances. Finally, these needles are naturally tapered, the ideal shape for a cantilever, something that is costly to do when it comes to traditional cantilever materials such as aluminum, ruby, boron and whatever else you have. As Peter told me, "We've been making phonograph needles for 80 years, but God has been making them for millions of years!”

“Peter extrapolates on this by saying, "All other cantilevers are synthesized--we GROW these!"

“The Hyperion is not cheap at $7000. But before you start complaining that cactus needles are cheap because they're simply collected in the desert, you should know that it takes an inordinate amount of time, effort and skill to attach a stylus tip to the end. Peter uses a thorough and painstaking procedure to determine if each needle is the perfect shape and structure for these cantilevers, and then precision forms them using a patent pending method. At any rate, the Hyperion is an extraordinary product, and I congratulate Peter on such a remarkable innovation.”
http://thevinylanachronist.blogspot.com ... ridge.html

“SoundSmith designer Peter Ledermann says that the key is to find a cantilever material that combines extreme stiffness, good self damping and lightness all in one, and none of those exotic materials can match the natural properties of a good old cactus needle.”
http://dvice.com/archives/2011/10/audiophile-phon.php

But I'm going to out on a limb and tell you about what is possibly the best cartridge I've heard. The Soundsmith Hyperion uses a cactus needle for a cantilever. Cactus needles were used as styli back in the old days on 78's, and they butchered many a record groove. As a cantilever, they offer superior vibration control and strength. Or, as Soundsmith proprietor Peter Ledermann told me at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, "We've been making phonograph needles for 80 years, and God has been making them for millions of years!" The Hyperion offers almost seamless perfection from top to bottom, and for some reason it reduces surface noise better than any other cartridge I've heard--including Koetsus. The Hyperion is $7000. But it represents revolutionary thinking that will probably trickle down into lest costly designs. It is the Cartridge of the Year, and perhaps the decade.
http://www.furious.com/perfect/vinyl83.html

And people still call me silly. I really do have a good ear and on good days I have two. It’s okay; I am moving a totally different direction. But now a cactus thorn is a justifiable tool.

I congratulate Soundsmith for having the savvy to use cactus. And nowadays we have some proud sounding “organic” cartridges. Maybe this is a future trend.

Cactus thorns are being taken seriously by important people so after two years can I change the thread title?

More about the Soundsmith Hyperion: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&h ... 09&bih=791

[LPfan]

Will,

You should explore if you have "intelectual property rights" for the cactus thorn idea.

Regards,

[maco]

Will,

You should explore if you have "intelectual property rights" for the cactus thorn idea.

Regards,

.... Soundsmith's website mentions ' ...patent pending'

[natty_dredd]

Don't worry - it only says that the precision forming method is patent pending!

Maybe they're trying to patent using a nail-file as a new method or growing thorns into tiny moulds..

[bob704]

This whole thing is so inspirational, my understanding is that cacti mod only work with broken cantilever.I have shure V15-III and no stylus is there any way to try cacti mod in such situation.SAS replacement is easy solution but it cost!!!Any help

[Alec124c41]

The cactus repair requires the stylus end of the cantilever to be joined to the stub.
Ed Saunders has a reasonably priced replacement styluses, decent quality, but nor an SAS.
http://www.edsaunders.com/shurestylus.htm

Cheers,
Alec

[Dimal]

I can vouch for the quality of the Ed Saunders Styli...

Took Alex's excellent advice a few months back and bought a couple for my V15-III. After running in (with some additional helpful advice from "kaleigh101", the retailer of the Ed Saunders' Styli), I really can't pick the difference between my sole remaining VN35E and the Ed Saunders one.

Of course, there is the Jico SAS option, which is supposed to be terrific but it changes the character of the V15-III, but to all intents and purposes, takes the cartridge into another league so is probably worth the money. I'm in no hurry though... Still have one barely used VN35E and now two E.S. versions. Gonna take me a while to wear all of them out....

Mal.