Quality of a used cart

[jsec]

I don't have a lot of experience on how carts look like when getting close retipping. I don't have microscope so the only picture I'm able to take is with my phone.
What's your view on the following used Koetsu Rosewood cart, is it already past the point of unusable? To me it looks like it is badly beaten.

 

[Shuggie]

It has clearly not been well looked after, and it's very dirty, but that doesn't mean it's worn out. You need someone with a suitable microscope to see the tip in detail, and particularly any wear facets. The gold painted plate under the tip has a wear mark which suggests that someone has been dropping the cartridge heavily on the record, so the suspension is likely in poor shape. The cartridge may be OK after a clean, but all the signs indicate that it's been neglected and even abused. It's eminently repairable, of course, at a price.

 

[jsec]

It has clearly not been well looked after, and it's very dirty, but that doesn't mean it's worn out. You need someone with a suitable microscope to see the tip in detail, and particularly any wear facets. The gold painted plate under the tip has a wear mark which suggests that someone has been dropping the cartridge heavily on the record, so the suspension is likely in poor shape. The cartridge may be OK after a clean, but all the signs indicate that it's been neglected and even abused. It's eminently repairable, of course, at a price.

Thanks Shuggle! How you would typically clean something like this, would it best just dry brush or with some sort of liquid?

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Thanks Shuggle! How you would typically clean something like this, would it best just dry brush or with some sort of liquid?

Hi 'jsec',

I wouldn't attempt to try and clean such a cantilever and diamond in that condition (as it looks heavily baked on crud built up over some considerable amount of time) as you may end up breaking the cantilever or loosening the diamond from the cantilever (especially with it being a Koetsu!.

I would send it to Koetsu for a service and check over which may end up in a re-build or at least a new cantilever and diamond !

 

[jsec]

Hi 'jsec',

I wouldn't attempt to try and clean such a cantilever and diamond in that condition (as it looks heavily baked on crud built up over some considerable amount of time) as you may end up breaking the cantilever or loosening the diamond from the cantilever (especially with it being a Koetsu!.

I would send it to Koetsu for a service and check over which may end up in a re-build or at least a new cantilever and diamond !

Thanks again Bonesy Jonesy! Great point, the cart need service for sure, let's see what Koetsu thinks about it. Pricewise I mean.

 

[Shuggie]

Thanks again Bonesy Jonesy! Great point, the cart need service for sure, let's see what Koetsu thinks about it. Pricewise I mean.

It's worth speaking to Ana Mighty Sound as well - they have loads of experience with Koetsus, and they do set up the suspension properly. Of course, you don't get a cartridge back that's just like yours was when new, but you would get a very fine sounding thing that would be most enjoyable, for a reasonable fee.

 

[jsec]

Thanks Shuggie, I will discuss the Koetsu service and maintenance with the local dealer here in Europe. As far as I understand the problems with the particular cart can't be resolved just by retipping, it requires checks for suspension as well as cantilever.

I went through some additional pictures of the cart and found more problems. It seems like part of the suspension (or something else metallic) has come through the bottom of the cart. @Shuggie it seems like you were right about the suspension and marks on the bottom. The metal thingy could be part of it, I'm just wondering how in earth this has happened.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Thanks Shuggie, I will discuss the Koetsu service and maintenance with the local dealer here in Europe. As far as I understand the problems with the particular cart can't be resolved just by retipping, it requires checks for suspension as well as cantilever.

I went through some additional pictures of the cart and found more problems. It seems like part of the suspension (or something else metallic) has come through the bottom of the cart. @Shuggie it seems like you were right about the suspension and marks on the bottom. The metal thingy could be part of it, I'm just wondering how in earth this has happened.

It looks a very poorly Koetsu and needs immediate surgery to bring it back to it's former glory to delight your ears 'jsec' !

 

[jsec]

Exactly, I guess the question is if the patient can still be recovered

 

[Shuggie]

Exactly, I guess the question is if the patient can still be recovered

It can always be recovered. You just need the right craftsman to do the work!

 

[mtemur]

Thanks Shuggie, I will discuss the Koetsu service and maintenance with the local dealer here in Europe. As far as I understand the problems with the particular cart can't be resolved just by retipping, it requires checks for suspension as well as cantilever.

I went through some additional pictures of the cart and found more problems. It seems like part of the suspension (or something else metallic) has come through the bottom of the cart. @Shuggie it seems like you were right about the suspension and marks on the bottom. The metal thingy could be part of it, I'm just wondering how in earth this has happened.

Beyond misuse or abuse it looks like it’s exposed to some corrosive liquid.