But if you think about how a record player works and you understand that the way it makes sound is by physically touching the grooves with a small needle, it all makes logical sense. On the other hand, if the belt looks good but stretched/loose, boil the belt in water for about two to three minutes to shrink it just slightly. If it’s still loose after three minutes, let it boil for another minute or two. So, let’s take a look at the finest needles the market has to offer! Are record player needles universal?

How To Replace The Needle On A Crosley Turntable

To install the new needle, make sure you have it positioned correctly with the tip facing down. (Be careful not to actually touch the needle itself. This can cause the tip to become oily or dirty, thus muddying the sound immediately and causing the needle to wear out faster.)The two most common needles are the NP-6 with a sapphire tip and the NP-5 with a diamond tip. The NP-6 is compatible with the Cruiser Deluxe, Cruiser Plus, Voyager, Lancaster, and Rhapsody models. The NP-5 is compatible with the Bermuda, Sterling, Portfolio, C62, the Gig, and T150 models.

3 things you need to know about the needle of your record player

Additionally, if you hear any noticeable skipping or jumping when playing records, this could also indicate that the stylus needs replacing. Once the clip is removed, lift the platter over the chrome spindle. There, you’ll find the belt sitting on the turntable mechanism. Cheaper versions have a diamond tip that rests on a metal piece, adding weight to the stylus. Thus, such a stylus is less responsive to smaller vibrations, which affects the overall sound quality. How to extend the life of the stylus?

If so, you know that the needle, or stylus, is a crucial component in delivering the music from your vinyl records to your ears. Now try playing your record again. If dirt and/or dust was the issue, it should play without skipping now. Generally, it’s recommended to replace the needle on a record player once every 1000 hours of use or once a year, whichever comes first. Before you start the replacement process, it’s important to know which type of needle you need for your specific Crosley turntable model. Crosley offers needles with both sapphire and diamond tips, and they are compatible with 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm records. Just keep in mind that when you use a cheap turntable with a cheap stylus like a Crosley, you are cutting the life of your records at least in half, if not more. They can start to sound bad after only a handful of plays.

Do Crosley Turntables Ruin Records? (The Real Truth) Do Crosley Turntables Ruin Records? (The Real Truth)

A new needle and clean record will produce sound that is considered to be concert quality. There will be little distortion and the sound will be almost as good as if the band were playing in front of you. A needle that needs to be replaced, however, will produce poor sound quality and likely skip. When your needle becomes unusable, your Crosley record player will no longer play music. It is as simple as that.

Your best bet is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. If you don’t have any, follow the advice below. But if you do have them and your manufacturer’s guidelines differ from the following advice, please follow your manufacturer’s guidelines – there might be a very important reason for the difference. With the record still spinning, use a small piece of cardboard to spread the wood glue. Start from the outer edge and move slowly inwards, to create a thin, consistent film across your record. The turntable needles are not immortal. They will serve you for a specific period, even when purchasing the most expensive stylus with a diamond tip. However, there are certain steps you can take to prolong the lifespan of the needle.