Prevention is better than cure. Do not wait until your equipment becomes defective: have it checked regularly by a qualified engineer or reputable dealer.

Stylus Wear

In the old days of the "78" record, stylus wear was no problem; the needle was changed (or should have been) after every playing. With the modern sapphire or diamond stylus the change is less frequently required, and this, it seems, has persuaded many people to believe that it is scarcely ever necessary. This belief is a dangerous myth. It is probable that the worn or chipped stylus is the biggest single cause of damage to records. Certainly it is one of the commonest causes of groove-jumping.

It is difficult to lay down rules about changing styli, because their rate of wear depends on the state of the records played, on the quality of the equipment used to play them, and on tip mass and compliance. The experienced listener will suspect stylus wear as soon as he detects any falling off in the quality of reproduction, but as a general guide it is recommended that a sapphire stylus should be examined after it has played 100 12-inch LP sides (50 records); a diamond stylus when it has played 1,000 sides.*

It is stressed that the use of a worn stylus does not end with having only to tolerate reproduction that is less than perfect: a worn stylus is a cutting instrument that will rapidly ruin any record. If you suspect that your stylus is worn, have it checked immediately. This usually costs nothing.

* This refers to a top-quality diamond stylus. Lower-grade diamond styli may last no longer than sapphires.

Magnified Stylus
in good condition

Worn stylus.
Point has now
become cutting edge.