Make me feel better


I broke my cantilever off!
A Denon DL-103S with ~25 hours on it!
I hit it with my knuckle (finger) and it bent straight down and to the left.
I tried to get it back in position and it just fell off.
Tell me I'm not the only klutz with cartridges!
$250 wasted! Can anyone beat that?
I dont drink..what should I do to feel better?
david99
David99,

Nothing is going to make you feel better. I know because in 40 years, I have busted a BP Special and a Clearaudio Sigma Wood just trying to mount them. Slipped finger on the BPS, and big, big pins on the Clearaudio. Funny how this doesn't happen when you are mounting inexpensive cartridges. You won't feel better, but, at least, you are not alone --- many of us have been there.

dobjim
David,

I've not only broken cantilevers installing them, I also broke the tone arm wire and had to replace that. Now that cost me a bunch of money. I'm averse to doing anything to my turntables now, I'm cursed. Now's the time to upgrade your pick-up, there is an upside! I suggest you roll a bone and think about getting yourself a better cartridge.
You could switch over to an all-satellite radio system, never having to mess with that fussy vinyl (or make any significant musical decisions) ever again! (joke)
Add my name to the clumsy club historical rolls. This is actually a very good argument for not regretting having to play in the "merely" $250-ballpark...Just think how stupid you'd feel right about now if you had been running one of those multi-$K cart's (which so many audiophiles apparently seem to be able to purchase straight-faced without wondering what about their construction could possibly justify the orders-of-magnitude price increase over a base model...True, they might sound great, but any cartridge sounds the same with its cantilever under the sofa... :-)
I have twice come home to a cantilever that was sitting on the LP. I'm not sure who did it although once I'm pretty sure it was the babysitter. The other time I can't find anyone to blame. For that reason David99 I am blaming you! It's all your fault, because I don't want to be responsible for it!
There, after breaking my cantilever and being scolded about it, do you feel better about breaking your own???