Getting Close with your Stylus

The stylus is so small, that it's hard to tell what condition its in, whether it needs cleaning, or is worn from use. Let's take a look at how we can examine our styli, and get the best performance.

[@JMG72ARG]

still find it hard to believe such detailed music comes from those grooves read by a stylus

[@JoeLaFon3]

It's fascinating

[@z90012]

It's like magic😀😀😀😀👍

[@netikja]

In stereo.

[@GaryPSmithII]

It's rare to see anyone with passion these days! It's very cool that you take the time to create these gems. Thank you!

[@tima.478]

I agree, this was incredibly informative and I appreciate his passing of this knowledge as well.

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Spot on information ! ... if your record is skipping or not sounding right after properly cleaning the record ... properly clean the stylus ... this will solve 99% of most problems. Do not use stylus cleaning gel pads !

[@crazycuts6891]

Wow, VERY interesting piece of information. Excellent work, I can definitely learn from this vid, thanks Craig!

[@karlb9740]

Another excellent and informative video Craig, thanks for taking the time to create this. Looking forward to the Supertramp close groove analysis :-)

[@ArczAngel]

How fascinating this video is, thank you sir for taking us to the depth of stylus and vinyl.

[@jacqueskhorassandjian5438]

Hi Craig Found this video very interesting, you had my full attention. Thank you for taking the time and to share your findings with us. Also I love the way you represent your videos. Great guy! Many thanks. Jacques

[@HowieHaigh]

Really informative and genuinely interesting! Best thing I've seen about stylii.

[@JohnCachero]

This was super informative and has inspired me to clean my turntable's stylus far more often than I have been. Thank you!

[@kdisabelle]

Wow, excellent video. Amazing stuff. All your vinyl videos are awesome. This one is the best. Very informative. Can't wait to see that Supertramp grooves video you mention. Keep up the great work!

[@telmo7610]

Very informative! the amount of dirt is mind blowing, thanks craig

[@ProjectOverseer]

Craig, this is one of your best videos. Interesting and really informative ... Thank you 👍

[@colinmurray9144]

Thanks Craig another interesting and informative presentation

[@sasholinski]

You're a storyteller by nature. I love following your videos, Craig. Even though at times you go deep in details that most people don't necessarily need or want to know, you have a way of making it fun and accessible. Cheers!

[@dcrook232323]

One of the very best tutorials on stylus / cartridge inspection! Kudos.

[@northlake732]

Very good video Craig. I appreciate your patience with the inspection and cleaning. I learned a lot and doing the same things to mine now. Thanks and keep up the good content.

[@joakimsoderstrom3765]

really nice. as a new vinyl listener, your tips are incredible help. your channel and videos have started a life long hobby for me and you also have a life long subscriber now! wish i could send you pictures of my set up and recieve some ideas what to do next as of speaker placement, furniture etc.

[@bhowlerr]

This one idea could be a whole additional KZbin channel. You gotta keep coming back to this when you get a new stylus, it’s gold!

[@marco-vn8si]

Hey Craig, thanks for your videos. I enjoy them a lot. Greetings from Mexico!

[@savedpurplecat]

This has been so interesting I'm new to vinyl (This millennium at least) and am really grateful to this channel :)

[@CiclopediBastogne]

Always interesting and educated video. Please continue! Thank you

[@erbalumkan369]

This is the best video about stylii on yt that i have found. Excellent work. Thanks very much!

[@Shadow_of_Light]

Been looking into getting one of these microscopes myself to check my stylus, etc. After seeing this video, it's a no brainer now. Very well done! Thanks.

[@MissAstorDancer]

Absolutely fascinating! LOVED it! Goodness, how I love people who are detail-oriented. Good Job!

[@fj103]

Thank you very much for this educational video. I'm definitely taking your advise.

[@Lasse3]

Beautiful shots! After having attempted and realized the difficulty in getting some decent pictures of my stylus, I'm very impressed with the quality of your setup!

[@chrish7540]

Love the video! Cant wait to see the follow up video on needle replacement and various wear times by stylus type.

[@adotopp1865]

Really good and interesting video. Thanks for sharing Craig.

[@jasonHobbyAddict]

Thank you for doing this video, the way you explain things is very clear, Enjoyed every minute of it and of course it was very helpful

[@Hoss1492]

I'm a +1 on the Wow. Great job, very insightful. The back and forth comparisons were Amazing, Learned more about dirt on needles then I wanted to know (or see)! :)

[@VC27]

Absolutely amazing stuff! You and I are probably the same vintage and yet I am learning so much from you. Cheers!

[@kreader50]

Awesome great job! I really appreciate your sharing this. I had thought about getting one of those microscopes and now you have convinced me to get one. I have recently replaced the stylus on my Signet TK5ea with an ATN120E nude round Elliptical stylus and can't wait to see what it looks like under the microscope.

[@georgeanastasopoulos5865]

A great, informative, and very detailed video! Thumbs up. This video is another one of my favourites, Craig. I also learned a couple of things about a dirty stylus, and I am (in italics) surprised that a stylus can pick up plenty of dust from a new, clean record. I would expect a very small amount of dust, and dirt; but it looked substantial to me. I imagine, and assumed that a record-making plant is as clean, and free of dust as possible! Very good photographs that show exactly what you explain, and demonstrate. I look forward to taking a look at another LP's grooves, deep under the surface - of another video. I know what it is like to handle, and work with very small things, you have a lot of patience, and perseverance, Craig. Excellent work! Myself, I've recently added one small drop of alcohol to a small felt mat that came as a combination record, and stylus cleaning kit bought many years ago. Afterward, the record sounded clearer. I'm going to use a brush later, as you advised. Further, this time I've bought 91% alcohol to clean my records.

[@dcabri]

Thank you so much for this video! I purchased the little gadget, and indeed: what I discovered was as you said! So, I cleaned it with distilled water and a little brush, and the result is flawless! I can even see the tiny solder punctures now (on my ortofon concorde 40 anniversary). How beautiful to see that little gold coated diamond up close! Thanks a million!!!! :) :) :)

[@tomahawkhead]

This was a great video, thank you! I also have the AT440, and it is absolutely brilliant. Cheers!

[@tonymontana897]

I have the AT450. It's a bi radial nude. What are your thoughts on this one ?

[@valuevinyl110]

This... Good sir ...is the most educational and informative game changing video I have ever watched! Thank you Thank You Thank You for the time effort and money that went into this.

[@travisrobertson1553]

Great vid again, Craig. Super interesting to see exactly why your record is so hard to play! Also, another classic example of maybe not having to spend too much money on products.

[@tautliners]

Love all your interesting videos. Not only are we enjoying our music but a great hobby to go along with it. I often think of throwing my TV out of the window as there is so much boring garbage on it. Turn that awful TV and phone off and play some vinyl. Pure heaven. All I need is my MK1 Ford Cortina back in the garage and I'm reliving the glorious 70's.

[@occiditumbra8493]

Thank you.Like always, nice video, well explained, and helpful tips.

[@coreystewart1838]

Wow! Beautiful work in this video. I have one of those microscopes and checked a stylus I was replacing. It was very eye opening but a lot of what I saw as wear was probably debris. Great job here. Thank you.

[@geraldcrook9504]

Hi Craig Just found your exceptional video in Stylus under the microscope. As usual fantast just watching you at work .And the part that caught my eye was when you cleaned the stylus in distilled water and took your time cautiously and meticulously brushing . Brilliant video . Tonight is music night in my Attic with a few beers . I will first brush my stylus as you did then sit and enjoy some music knowing i have followed your lead to the best of my ability's.Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into these videos . Gerald UK

[@patl709]

I bought this microscope a few days ago before seeing this video. I haven’t so far been able to get the level of detail shown here. However, I’ll now go back and try again and give it a little bit more time and patience. Many thanks for this video!

[@olebjrklund8648]

Awesome instructional video Craig. Very fun to see the differences, and how the playing of a single side can contaminate the stylus completley... Have a nice week and best regards to you and your family. 17

[@hendriksuryawan6924]

very informative...i really admire you for having the patience and the passion to take those microscopic pictures of those stylus and the record grooves...i know it takes a lot of practice and patience and you manage to do it...congratulation...

[@evowhite777]

Excellent...! This is the best using a microscope with/for a turntable setup/inspection I`ve seen to date and,I watch a LOT of turntable video`s on youtube,well done fella,"you-are-a-STAR". V.F.E.

[@kodakid59]

that was GREAT! Very informative thanks for taking the time to show what you learned!

[@elCaxi1971]

Great video Craig. I´ve had my microscope for about a year now, but only just got it working a few weeks ago. Amazing what we can see with 1000x zoom. Thank you for sharing :) Vinyl is Final

[@saugghos]

This is vinyl university course. You explain things based on evidence and proof rather than perception and imagination. Thats what I like the most in you channel.

[@gloomyvale3671]

Great video, very interesting, handy to know how we can check our stylus and see how dirty or how worn it is. Superb post.

[@Grumpghost]

Wow this is one of your best videos yet. Love all your content, always looking forward to seeing the next. - Definitely picking up one of these microscopes for myself, even if it’s just for fun.

[@adotopp1865]

Hi Craig, I use my grandads old Jewelers Loupe Magnifier to regularly check and clean my stylus . I use it with an LED mini torch which I keep by the Turntable. I find after 40 yrs that this system really works for me. Thanks love your vids. Ado.

[@Vintageelectronics2296]

Thanks for the video After watching this I only use a stylus brush and water and I clean my stylus every record great video thank you so much I have learned a lot from your channel

[@johnspina318]

What a phenomenal video....Thank you so much!

[@aldoali6173]

You are the man Craig!! VINYL IS FINAL!

[@SWRMR]

Awesome video and info I was looking for a long time now!

[@ldgalaxy]

Excellent video. I am just getting started in the hobby and I value your knowledge on vinyl records. Your vids have helped me make some decisions about the direction I am going. I had a few vinyl records as a teenager in the 70s and I got rid of them over time as work and family commitments became more pressing. I am so new to the hobby again, that I only have one vinyl that l I have purchased to date. The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi (I love classical music). Another vinyl I hope to re-purchase is Rick Wakeman's Journey to the Center of the Earth. I do like classic rock, jazz and a few other genres as well. Keep up the good work!

[@alainmoret5887]

Thank you. You pop up to a problem I have with one record. I have bought two LP's from the same group but in two different shops on internet. My stylus jumps at the same place, exactly at the same place, unbelievable! It is a record mistake, I think. Now, you show me how to do by myself to know what it is and maybe how to fix it. Thank you, again.

[@gregtapevideo1464]

I have a magic eraser pad that I use after every album side. And a stylus brush with short tightly packed bristles for occasional cleaning.

[@MHow-qc3ns]

Thank you for sharing. I never knew how to check the styli on my record player. And the other information about the vinyl records is interesting and also helpful. I just subscribed so I won't miss any other info.

[@mikekarpaty3871]

Fascinating insight,thank you very much. I looked at my stylus recently under a stereo microscope and found it very interesting. Its a TC8G from a 1959 Ferguson 623RG ,pretty mucky so I've purchased a new one.All the best from sunny Wales 😊

[@buddafingahz9057]

Thanks for posting another informative video. I have recently revived my old turntable thanks in part to one of your videos and am enjoying myself quite a bit. You mention the high cost of the zero dust system and I have to agree. Perhaps there are styli costly enough to justify such a purchase, but I am on a tight budget. I have found that the product "moon gel" that drummers use to dampen their drums gets the same results as zero dust at a far far far far far lower price!

[@thewinechairman533]

Love your channel...I am learning so much!!!! Thank You!!!!

[@goldenvinylspin]

I been wanting to do something like this with a camera. Amazing photos. I need to get one of those. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@jobarrios]

Very, very informative, thank you very much!

[@60sStyling]

Hey Craig, thanks for all your videos. I enjoy watching them and they're very informative. I am definitely going to purchase a digital microscope to do a before and after on the styli that I have and also to do a before and after vinyl cleaning. Again, thanks for all your videos.

[@tarassvirid5048]

Thank you very much. Great video. I looked this information long time ago. Definitely I will buy this device.

[@wrenchaholic]

i bought one of those microscopes and took tons of pictures like you did. i even had my original stanton needle from when i was young. i was able to see how well i had taken care of it. i use the same methods you do minus the $90 zero dust.

[@touringusa8760]

Superb video, quite informative and well produced with excellent supporting images. Looking forward to more from you.

[@PaulHoyle777]

Thanks so very much. That was very informative and helpful. I've just ordered a microscope and am looking forward to it coming next week.

[@strummer173]

Very interesting and informative Craig. Thanks.

[@natanpierce495]

Awesome! Thank you. Love your videos.

[@miketucker5997]

I have been using the Audio-Technica AT607 stylus cleaning formula for some 40 years. May be an expensive way to get a little brush and a tiny bottle of distilled water but it works great (I don’t know if it’s distilled water or something more, but raised suspicions when I saw your excellent video). Also, back in the day, the local high end stereo shop had a free service; I would take my Signet TK7e in every six months or so and we would look at the stylus with their 100x stereo optical microscope. It was easy to see the wear. Audio Consultants is no more, so the usb microscope may be a great way to check the stylus. And certainly cheaper than a stereo optical microscope!

[@fabioemerim]

And, again, you rock, man! I'm a big fan of your videos down here in Brazil, and I've used some of them in my classes (I hope you're ok with that). My students love them! I'm an English teacher.

[@QoraxAudio]

Now this is the kind of content on KZbin we need! Very informative and educational! Nicely made images as well (I know how difficult those micros are to operate). I really appreciate it that you made all those images yourself; most people just rip pictures from other sources.

[@PsyDei]

Thanks man, now I will be cleaning my stylus with my stylus brush and water, no need to buy other expensive stuff. Greetings from Mexico!

[@mdrummond194]

Amazing video! Thank you for this

[@quantumleap359]

Very cool vid. Fascinating! Thanks!

[@Jacomacca]

Very interesting! Thanks for making the video. I have a stylus cleaning brush but I only have been using the magic eraser. I will now try you damp brush method. Cheers.

[@billwillard9410]

Oh, so very excellent. Tried 2 kinds of dry brushes to get what looked hairs wrapped around the stylus. Bought the ZeroDust for $40 US - nearly useless. Tried the magic eraser, didn’t quite do the trick. Wet stylus brush - success! And yes, I’m cleaning the stylus after every played side - sometimes twice/thrice on a record I haven’t played in a while. Thanks muchly!

[@lynnpoole7830]

Superb video. Very informative! Thank you.

[@Roamany-Jones]

Just watched your video. I bought the same digital microscope last year and checked the wear of my Goldring 1042 and a new 1022GX and my Nagaoka MP11 styli. Just like you, I even cleaned them with the magic eraser and the tacky thingy and came to the same conclusion as your good self. Although I prefer to use proper stylus cleaning fluid once a week instead of distilled water. The problem I had was trying to identify what stylus wear looks like on a Fitz-Geiger stylus for my old 1042. It’s easy enough on conical shaped styli but difficult on more complex shapes like Shibata types and mine.

[@judyantonetti2186]

I learned so much. Thank you!

[@Voetsekhond]

Hi Craig one more time thank you for your enlighten vid. Great stuff.

[@JoePina0]

Fascinating video. Seeing is believing. Proof that you don't need to spend a lot of money to do a simple task and make it effective. Thanks!

[@sjt66]

Yes, very good video! Great job! Thank you! 👍

[@gullrockgeorge9057]

Love the pictures. Came here to see what microscope you are using as I would like to replace my optical microscope for stylus checks. Pictures are nice for seeing how clean your records and stylus are, but realize, the pictures shown here are not the best in terms of knowing when the stylus is worn. The very tip will look the same pretty much forever from the side. The very tip isn't touching the grooves. The sides of the diamond just "above" the tip are touching the grooves and flattening out over time. Best way to see this is by looking down on the tip with a scope. Have lighting on the left and right side. Flat spots will reveal themselves on the left and right sides as white dots. A new stylus won't have much to see but a worn stylus will have white spots that get bigger over time. As they get bigger they almost start to meet at the tip - well past when the stylus should have been replaced.

[@nicholasrigg8999]

Fabulous and really interesting. Good job!

[@sidvicious3129]

Very good video Craig, I have the same microscope and it is fascinating looking at the record grooves some times.

[@TheRollingStoness]

very informative video Craig, thanks

[@VladimirKozomara]

Great video, Thanks for tips

[@kathys9999]

Good information! Thank you!

[@leosalas41ify]

Great job! Thanks so much for the video. Very educational. Magic Eraser (which I have) and distilled water with brush, got it. Passing on a $60 gummy pad.

[@grasssnake7190]

Great advice, thank you very much 👍👍

[@realjaxon]

I have one of those cameras. I never thought of using it that way. Very good thinking. 👌 Those stylus cleaners can now be found on eBay for less than $20.

[@HighPoint_Aud_Elec]

Great work Craig, this one is going to get you a lot of hits or Views in the land of KZbin.

[@adotopp1865]

Great video I loved it! Thanks.

[@coolcat1813]

Impressive work! Kudos!

[@muatao9943]

Very, very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@gregbenefield7658]

Great video. Thanks

[@Shady12577]

Very informative. Thanks for that.