Benz Micro Glider Stylus protection

I had one for years. Your fear is all in your head.

If you do get or make one however, two points to keep in mind. First, if your guard requires mounting and removal, or even flipping up and down, this alone puts your fingers far closer to damage than anything else. Every time you move it is one more time you could spaz out, hit and break it. So you've increased not decreased your risk.

And second, the whole point of the design, why you like the sound so much, is the cartridge body being so small minimizes resonance. That nude cantilever is where your presence, realism and feel is coming from. Nothing you stick on there can do anything but mess that up. And again, in the process, increase not decrease risk of damage.

A stylus guard on a cartridge built like the Glider (and there are many others like it) is more of a danger than a safety benefit.  Installing and removing the stylus guard is perhaps the most dangerous act involved in using a cartridge.  In 45 years, I've only damaged one cartridge in handling, and that was because my fingernail caught on the cantilever when I was flipping the built in stylus guard out of the way. A detachable guard would be even more scary to put on and take off before playing LPs. IOW, I agree with Millercarbon.

I just put down the dust cover on my LP12. Wonderful protection for my Benz. 😂

Stylus Guards are a necessary evil, but detachable ones can be avoided.

If it is the most importance the Cartridge is protected and ultimately the Cantilever, a Simple Cover can be made that sits on the Plinth and covers over the end of the Wand, and Headshell.

It might not be an attractive device as a first design, but the security it offers to the Cartridge and fragile parts is the first consideration, ease of placing/removing is the second consideration, stability in use is the third consideration.

Once a device is in place and fit for purpose, a design and aesthetic can then be thought out for final version.

As already said, an Acrylic Lid for the TT, does alleviate 99% of the concerns that can develop.

The Link shows a device that can offer much of what is able to be achieved from a Acrylic Lid. These devices can be found in different colours and prices.

Thanks.

 I have a cover, it’s just a little nerve-racking handling the thing, especially with neuropathy (malaria meds 30 years ago). It’s not like a Colt 1911 sear I can drop and not worry about it bouncing off the bench onto the floor.