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Removing Morch DP-6 tonearm wires from cartridge

I will be replacing the cartridge on my Morch/Moerch tonearm once I get my new cartridge. This will be only the second time I have installed a cartridge on a tonearm; please forgive me for all of the the newbie questions.

I noticed that the rubber boots (?? I don't know the proper terminology) that cover the clips on the end of the tonearm wires seem to be a bit dried out, with some small cracks in them as well, and so I am concerned that they might disintegrate when I try to remove the clips from the cartridge contact pins. (I haven't actually touched the boots to see whether or not they are still pliable, this is an observation from visual inspection only.)

Is there a trick to removing the clips easily? (I'm already worried because I know how fragile the wires themselves are.) Is there perhaps some sort of moisturizer or lubricant I can use that won't interfere with the electrical connection but will make it easier to remove the clips, and that might also "replenish" the rubber of the 'boots' ? (Or does the condition of the boots not really matter as long as the wires themselves are OK?)

Holly
oakiris
brf
1,699 posts
 
For cleaning head shell leads, you can use a tooth pick along with your favorite cleaning solutions. I personally like just pure alcohol. Shaved down pipe cleaner also work nicely.
doak
189 posts
 
"Craft stores such as Michaels sell small needle nose pliers that have plastic noses that come in various shapes. They are what I use as they are intended for jewelry / earring assemblies that require precision and that won't gouge the wiring."

Please take this suggestion by "Rodrigaj" to heart. The small investment will pay big dividends. Tweezers are a recipe for disaster -- yes they can "get the job done" but they are too liable to cause damage.

Good Luck!
Doak
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
Cool - I have alcohol and q-tips so that is what I will use to clean the pins and contacts.

Point taken about tweezers, Doak. :-)

Holly
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
I managed to get the tonearm wire clips off of the cartridge pins and have removed the old cartridge; still waiting for the new one, but that is progress!

The clips were on the pins pretty tightly so it was scarey, but I didn't damage the wires, and the boots are still intact. I was able to push back the boot on one of the wires far enough to see what the clips looked like so I could grasp each of them in the right place with a pair of needle nose pliers. Whew! Glad that part is done - I definitely don't like messing with those little fragile wires!

When I get the new cartridge, I will clean the tonearm wire clips and the cartridge pins, even though the cartridge is new. I am sure putting the clips back on the pins will be relatively easy; I can always loosen up the clips with a toothpick so they slide right on and then tighten them down a bit - very gently - with the pliers.

Thank you again for all of your help, everyone. This newbie very much appreciated the hand-holding!

Holly
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
Holly..just another 2 cents.... Personally I don't like De-oxite... the very act of removing the pins will (have) cleaned them. The less you monkey around with those fragile wires the better. You don't need long nose pliers if you just push the clips onto the pins with your fingers while the cartridge is not attached to the arm. I wouldn't spread the clips and then tighten them onto the pins. Why search for Zebras when the horse is so close by.
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