Noob needs a new cartridge and stylus for my Garrard 209

[alfredjacobs]

I just picked up an old 1961 Fisher console that has a Garrard 209 under the hood, still with what appears to be the original cartridge and stylus. I picked up an extra head and want to fit it out with a nice new cartridge before I start laying down the vinyl. What can you folks suggest to me? I am trying to keep it under $100 as I already have some $$$ tied up in the unit. Thanks!

[aardvarkash10]

something VERY robust. Shure SC35 comes to mind...

[Steerpike_jhb]

The 209 is a difficult arm, it was intended to take a special version of the Ronette 105 cartridge with a unique Garrard mount. The 210 was the same tuntable with a plug-in universal headshell - but at a cost of higher tracking force. If you do take out the old cartridge, save it! They are rare and hence much sought after. As far as ceramic catridges go, they are quite good ones.

[alfredjacobs]

Thanks for that info. I would certainly keep the old cartridge. I would bet that it is original to the unit because the rest of it is pristine and from what I can see all original. I must have a 210 because the headshell does come off by use of a little locking arm on the side. If I have an original cartridge, where would you suggest I pick up a new stylus to replace the old one? Who sells quality units on the web? Thanks!

[alfredjacobs]

I looked up the Ronette 105. My headshell is solid on the front and does not allow for the protruding knob to flip over the stylus for 78 vs 45 and LP settings. The stylus has a little arm that says LP on one side and 78 on the other when flipped underneath to the other side. I remember my grandmother's old RCA console having the same thing as a kid. Still love to know where to get a nice new stylus. Thanks folks!

[Steerpike_jhb]

If the headshell is plugable, then its a model 210. The 'special' Ronette went only into the 209 arm. We need more info on the cartridge - so many brands & models take a flip-over stylus. But your 210 headshell will take a standard 1/2-inch cartridge, of which there are many to choose, the "DJ" models from Shure would be possibles. But then the Fisher amplifier is not suitable for a magnetic cartridge. BSR still make the SC12H ceramic, which will do fine in the 210 arm.
One thing to note about ceramic cartridges (like the one you seem to have) - they do not interface well with modern amplifiers. Very few - if any - recent amplifiers have a high enough load impedance to work well with a ceramic. An op-amp buffer is an easy & cheap DIY option to get best performance from a ceramic if yuo choose to not use the original amp.

[alfredjacobs]

My Fisher is an original Fisher console. Model P-22, The Modern, all original amp section. Just professionally serviced and re-tubed. So I guess I need a new ceramic cartridge with a flip over needle to keep it original. What new ceramic cartridge and flip over stylus would you suggest? How do I post pictures on this message board so I can show you what I have now? Also, do ou happen to know the size of the transit hold down screws for the 209/210? I need to replace them because I need to move this soon. This is very helpful to me. Thanks so much.

[Steerpike_jhb]

The BSR SC12-H is the only currently made ceramic cart that I know of, with a flip-over stylus.
I think the transit screws are not specific to the 209/210. They were just ordinary wood screws or self tapping screws, with a fibre washer. The changers almost always went into a plywood or chipboard plinth, so the maker could use any generic cheese-head wood screw. 5mm would be my first try - can't tell you what that is in Imperial dimensions.

[alfredjacobs]

Thanks

[alfredjacobs]

One last question, perhaps. Can a regular stereo ceramic cartridge without a flip over stylus play true mono records? I won't really be playing 78's so maybe I don't need a flip over, but I do need a quality cartridge and stylus that can play both stereo and mono. The hifi has a setting for stereo or mono on the records player channel. Any suggestions for a fixed stylus ceramic stereo cartridge? Thanks.

[Steerpike_jhb]

One last question, perhaps. Can a regular stereo ceramic cartridge without a flip over stylus play true mono records? I won't really be playing 78's so maybe I don't need a flip over, but I do need a quality cartridge and stylus that can play both stereo and mono. The hifi has a setting for stereo or mono on the records player channel. Any suggestions for a fixed stylus ceramic stereo cartridge? Thanks.

Yes it can. A stereo cartridge playing a mono record is fine. A mono catridge playing a stereo record is not always fine; modern mono carts are OK but the ones made in the 1950s can damage a stereo record.

The BSR SC12 is actually now sold with a flipover stylus that is LP on both sides, since the decline of demand for 78 styli. So essentially you are getting double the stylus life - flip it over after 500 hours or so of use. Its fine for mono records too.

[alfredjacobs]

Great info. Thanks again.

Also, your suggestion on the transit screws worked well. 5mm coverts to about 3/16" in U.S. I found some screws that worked like a champ today. It was held tight for the car ride.

[BrianMcAllister]

Your set may be different, but my Fisher console that uses an RC210 Garrard changer came with, and works with, a Pickering U38 magnetic cartridge.