All options consist of a dual conical tipped flip under needle (or stylus) assembly.
-IF- you select an ALL SPEED option, 99.9% of the time when the handle is flipped away from the record to the right side of your player, this is the selection for playing 78rpm (usually 10 inch) records from the 1940's and earlier. The handle is usually marked "78". The tip under magnification is usually clear or translucent.
When the handle is flipped to the left towards the record, 99.9% of the time this is the LP side for 16(16 inch), 33(12 inch) and 45(7 inch) rpm records. LP="Long Play" (aka microgroove) and refers to 16,33, & 45 rpm records.
The handle is usually marked "LP" for "Long Play" (Memory tip: you could also think of LP as "Left Pointing") Sapphire tips are translucent or clear, diamond tips are black or opaque. Under magnification (10x recommended), the LP tip is a sharp point, the 78 tip is noticeably round when compared to the LP tip.
-IF- you select an LP ONLY option, depending on your choice, you either get a diamond and sapphire set of tips, or two sapphire tips. Two diamond tips are very very rarely ever made. Sad but true.
Sapphire tips should last about 80-100 hours of operation.
Diamond tips should last about 400-600 hours.
When comparing your needle to our stock picture, color and markings may vary from what you have or even from what we send. What's important is that the shape of the plastic matches yours. So, it is still perfectly fine to proceed from a visual match, even if you only have the plastic handle left for visual comparison.
Finally, any LP tip also known as Micro Groove is about 4 times smaller than the older type 78 rpm tips. So, playing a 78rpm tip on an LP record will sound pretty bad and playing an LP tip in a 78rpm (wide groove) record will be about like digging a trench at the bottom of the "V" shaped record groove.
All OPTION definitions:
LP - "Long Play" (aka "MicroGroove") and refers to 16,33, & 45 rpm records.
"DS77" LP ONLY, has 1 diamond, & 1 sapphire tip, both 0.7 mil for Stereo or mono LP records."SS77" LP ONLY, has 2 sapphire tips, both 0.7 mil for Stereo or mono LP records.
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ALL SPEED - One side is for LP. Flip the lever handle under and the other side plays 78's.
"DS73" ALL SPEED, has 1 diamond,
1 sapphire, the diamond side is 0.7 mil for Stereo or mono LP records.
The sapphire side is 3.0 mil for 78rpm only."SS73" ALL SPEED, has 2 sapphire tips. The 0.7 mil tip for Stereo or mono LP records is almost always marked "LP". The 3.0 mil tip for 78rpm only is almost always marked "78".
"SS13" ALL SPEED, has 2 sapphire tips. The 1.0 mil tip is for mono LP's. Usually marked "LP" or sometimes "MG". The 3.0 mil tip for 78rpm only is almost always marked "78".
"DS13" ALL SPEED, has 1 diamond, 1 sapphire, the diamond side is 1.0 mil for mono LP records. The sapphire side is 3.0 mil for 78rpm only.
Single tip needle options are often found on flip over cartridges where the entire cartridge rotates instead of just the needle. Often 2 needles are required, one for each side. Generally a 78rpm choice on one side and an LP choice on the other side of the cartridge.
S1= MONO LP tip (1.0 mil Sapphire)
D1= MONO LP tip (1mil Diamond)
D7=Stereo LP tip (0.7 mil Diamond)
S2=ALL speed Compromise tip (2.0 mil Sapphire)
S3=78rpm ONLY tip (3mil Sapphire)
M3=78rpm ONLY tip (3.0mil Metal)
Only the options visible under the "Choose Options" section in the product page are available.
