I doubt that the 304 was magnetized by the stylus gauge. Every MC, MM, or MI cartridge contains powerful magnets to enable it to generate a voltage when the stylus moves. It sounds like your stylus gauge is attracted to the cartridge's magnets (and MC cartridges have the strongest magnets of all).
I'd get rid of the gauge - I think it should be made of non-magnetic materials.
As for the hum, I don't see a connection. Low output MC cartridges like the 304 need a lot of gain. It's very easy to pick up hum with high gain.
IS the turntable ground wire properly attached to your phono front end? Are you sure the headshell wires are properly and firmly attached to the cartridge (my 304 seems to have small diameter pins - I had to squeeze the clips a bit to make them work)?
What kind of phono front end are you using?
BTW, I think the 304 is a great sounding cartridge. I'm running mine at 300 ohms right now, but am still experimenting.
I'd get rid of the gauge - I think it should be made of non-magnetic materials.
As for the hum, I don't see a connection. Low output MC cartridges like the 304 need a lot of gain. It's very easy to pick up hum with high gain.
IS the turntable ground wire properly attached to your phono front end? Are you sure the headshell wires are properly and firmly attached to the cartridge (my 304 seems to have small diameter pins - I had to squeeze the clips a bit to make them work)?
What kind of phono front end are you using?
BTW, I think the 304 is a great sounding cartridge. I'm running mine at 300 ohms right now, but am still experimenting.