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bent stylus questions

the stylus cantilever on my Grado Statement Reference is bent to the side about 15 degrees, seemingly right where it is joined to a slightly larger tubular thing (which is oriented straight). I have no idea how this happened, but it is bent in the direction toward the spindle. Once I started aligning with the cantilever, using a Mint, and ignoring the cartridge body (which you have to ignore with the wooden Grados anyway, due to their funny shape), things improved greatly, and may even be about right. Is the sideways stylus nevertheless a concern? Is it out of the question to try to bend it straight with tweezers and magnification, or would I just inevitably destroy it? As far as I know, Grados are apparently never rebuilt, only good for tradein.
lloydc

Showing 2 responses by elizabeth

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Leave it alone. IF the stylus is vertical in the catilever, and you have the small bent part tracking in the groove at the right angle, don't worry about the body being angled. It is OK.
As long as the bend does not tilt the angle the stylus is in the groove, I would go ahead and use it.
It is crtain to break off if you mess around trying to straighten it.
Use it until you can feel comfortable buying a replacement.
months years from now...
(PS any cart warranty certainly does not cover a bent stylus...)
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
To respond to worry about damage. If you cannot hear any problem when playing.. the stylus is seating in the groove, and you can play your records without damage.
Worrywarts would not ASK if it is OK, they would replace it. Someone with sense can ask will it be OK?.. For that person, I say keep it, use it, and buy a new one when you feel like it. That is what i would do IF the stylus seemed to be tracking Ok after realigning the body.
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