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Stylus just falls off?

A couple of years ago, I had a Van den Hul Grasshopper serviced and upgraded at the factory. A few days ago, I had it mounted by a well-respected local tech. I went to his shop today and listened to the cartridge. Then we disassembled the turntable for transport back to my home.

After the tonearm was removed from the turntable and placed on a shelf, I noticed that the stylus was missing from the cartridge. It is clear that no one and nothing touched the cartridge as it was moved. It seems that the stylus just fell out.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? (My understanding is that the stylus on these cartridges is easily removed and replaced, so perhaps it was not properly affixed to the cantilever.)
jimjoyce25
rudolffzigray
31 posts
 
The reason I replied is because you paid for a service and they are responsible. Im sorry, but again the table was being taken apart and moved. Again, I can see removing the platter for transport, but why remove the arm with the cart still attached. This is poor judgement on the tech's part, he should be held liable for the cartridge. It sounds like a bunch of busy work, taking a table completely apart for transport. Again, just my two sense, I wasnt there, you were. Based on your posts it looks like you and the tech have a good relationship and that makes it tough on everyone. Still, I would be pissed.

I just had my first incident with a Koetsu Onyx....I made a mistake and the stylus came off the cantilever. I am still furious....
jimjoyce25 OP
215 posts
 
You sound like your own story is clouding your judgment here.

The tonearm was removed from the turntable base just to make it easier to carry the turntable to my car. The tonearm assembly would have been placed in the turntable base for the ride home.

However, somewhere between the back room and front room of his shop, the stylus fell off.

Things happen. I've lost styluses to housekeepers, movers and my dogs. Get over it.
rudolffzigray
31 posts
 
Wow! "Get over it" is pretty harsh dont you think? I have owned a 100 cartridges, never has a stylus just fallen off. I think you should email AJ or Harry of VDH and tell them your sending your cartridge back because they didnt use enough glue when attaching the stylus to the cantilever, I would love to hear what they say.

Regards,
Rudolff
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