How to Replace a Turntable Stylus

You’ve damaged your stylus or it just isn’t sounding as good as it used to. Maybe its time to replace your stylus.

First of all clean your stylus to see if this helps. View our How To Clean Your Turntable Stylus guide to see how. Needles pick up all sorts of dirt from records such as dust to general grime. This is especially the case if you are playing second hand records so give it a clean and you may find its as good as new. If that hasn’t improved things or you’ve damaged the needle then its time to replace it.

Make a note of the make and model of your turntable. If you want to use the same stylus again make a note of that too. In case you don’t know the stylus cartridge is the box on the tone arm where the stylus is connected.

Check our online store for a huge range of stylus, pick the one that matches your current one or check out the others on offer. If you are still not sure give the sales team a call and they’ll be able to help.

Remove the old stylus. If your new stylus doesn’t come with directions then give these a try. Hold the stylus cartridge steady with one hand. Using the other, grab the needle part (not the needle itself) and pull. You may want to use needle nose pliers to help.

Now you can install your new stylus. Holding the stylus from the top, gently press it into the space where the old stylus had been, try not to be too forceful.

Now you can play your new records.