Hi:
I've restored several radio/phono combos, mainly
from the 1940's-50's era.
In all cases I find the crystal inside the riveted
metal phono pickup cartridge has turned to sand.

I've always improvised with a newer crystal pickup
from a junk 70s-80s era phono assembly.

I've just completed restoring a Packard Bell Phonocord
and I need to restore the original phono pickup.

My improvision does not work:
The original uses a steel needle that guides the
heavy tonearm.

I was looking at places like Radio Shack, etc for
crystal microphones that I could get the crystal out
of to replace the aged original crystal element.

I can't find any suitable replacement.
I was concidering using a dremel tool to cut open
some old CB or transciever crystals and see if that
would work.

I was wondering how anyone else deals with this
problem as every single cartridge I've seen has
the same trouble.
The cargridge itself is made of steel or aluminium,
riveted together, sometimes filled with wax and
the large needle vibrates a center shaft that is
coupled to the end of a crystal.

Also, does anyone know where I could get some blank
phonocord records: or even better has anyone MADE one
out of cardboard layerd with laquer, etc

Thanks for your time!
Judd Hickston, Atlanta Ga

Hi,
Usually quartz crystals do not produce enough EMF when stressed to work in a record player cartridge. Usually that crystal material is a "Rochelle Salts" crystal. You could concievably grow your own with the old crystal material, or start with clean materials from a source like a photo supply store that handles the raw chemicals. Photographers Formulary would be the best mail order source.

Other than that, you may need to find a decent old cartridge that fits.

: Hi:
: I've restored several radio/phono combos, mainly
: from the 1940's-50's era.
: In all cases I find the crystal inside the riveted
: metal phono pickup cartridge has turned to sand.

: I've always improvised with a newer crystal pickup
: from a junk 70s-80s era phono assembly.

: I've just completed restoring a Packard Bell Phonocord
: and I need to restore the original phono pickup.

: My improvision does not work:
: The original uses a steel needle that guides the
: heavy tonearm.

: I was looking at places like Radio Shack, etc for
: crystal microphones that I could get the crystal out
: of to replace the aged original crystal element.

: I can't find any suitable replacement.
: I was concidering using a dremel tool to cut open
: some old CB or transciever crystals and see if that
: would work.

: I was wondering how anyone else deals with this
: problem as every single cartridge I've seen has
: the same trouble.
: The cargridge itself is made of steel or aluminium,
: riveted together, sometimes filled with wax and
: the large needle vibrates a center shaft that is
: coupled to the end of a crystal.

: Also, does anyone know where I could get some blank
: phonocord records: or even better has anyone MADE one
: out of cardboard layerd with laquer, etc

: Thanks for your time!
: Judd Hickston, Atlanta Ga

Hi
That Packard bell sounds like one i had when i was a kid.
At Amiture radio stores you can get crystal elaments for a model D-104 microphone and it has a crystal elament in it. they are like 25 dollers though but should work. try Amiture Eletronic Supply (A.E.S.)
Ask around on ebay people selling amiture gear if the have an elament for a D-104,, this is what they call a loly pop microphone.
Rich

: Hi:
: I've restored several radio/phono combos, mainly
: from the 1940's-50's era.
: In all cases I find the crystal inside the riveted
: metal phono pickup cartridge has turned to sand.

: I've always improvised with a newer crystal pickup
: from a junk 70s-80s era phono assembly.

: I've just completed restoring a Packard Bell Phonocord
: and I need to restore the original phono pickup.

: My improvision does not work:
: The original uses a steel needle that guides the
: heavy tonearm.

: I was looking at places like Radio Shack, etc for
: crystal microphones that I could get the crystal out
: of to replace the aged original crystal element.

: I can't find any suitable replacement.
: I was concidering using a dremel tool to cut open
: some old CB or transciever crystals and see if that
: would work.

: I was wondering how anyone else deals with this
: problem as every single cartridge I've seen has
: the same trouble.
: The cargridge itself is made of steel or aluminium,
: riveted together, sometimes filled with wax and
: the large needle vibrates a center shaft that is
: coupled to the end of a crystal.

: Also, does anyone know where I could get some blank
: phonocord records: or even better has anyone MADE one
: out of cardboard layerd with laquer, etc

: Thanks for your time!
: Judd Hickston, Atlanta Ga

: Judd: Contact West-Tech
: On your "old" phono cart how about checking out
: the info at this site; go to phono parts NLA:
: www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/feature.html
: 73's de Edd Whatley

: Hi:
: I've restored several radio/phono combos, mainly
: from the 1940's-50's era.
: In all cases I find the crystal inside the riveted
: metal phono pickup cartridge has turned to sand.

: I've always improvised with a newer crystal pickup
: from a junk 70s-80s era phono assembly.

: I've just completed restoring a Packard Bell Phonocord
: and I need to restore the original phono pickup.

: My improvision does not work:
: The original uses a steel needle that guides the
: heavy tonearm.

: I was looking at places like Radio Shack, etc for
: crystal microphones that I could get the crystal out
: of to replace the aged original crystal element.

: I can't find any suitable replacement.
: I was concidering using a dremel tool to cut open
: some old CB or transciever crystals and see if that
: would work.

: I was wondering how anyone else deals with this
: problem as every single cartridge I've seen has
: the same trouble.
: The cargridge itself is made of steel or aluminium,
: riveted together, sometimes filled with wax and
: the large needle vibrates a center shaft that is
: coupled to the end of a crystal.

: Also, does anyone know where I could get some blank
: phonocord records: or even better has anyone MADE one
: out of cardboard layerd with laquer, etc

: Thanks for your time!
: Judd Hickston, Atlanta Ga

: Judd:
: On your "old" phono cartridge .Check out West Tech
: there's info at this site:
: www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/feature.html
: go down to Phono Parts NLA.
: 73's de Edd Whatley

:Hi:
:I've restored several radio/phono combos, mainly
:from the 1940's-50's era.
:In all cases I find the crystal inside the riveted
:metal phono pickup cartridge has turned to sand.
:
:I've always improvised with a newer crystal pickup
:from a junk 70s-80s era phono assembly.
:
:I've just completed restoring a Packard Bell Phonocord
:and I need to restore the original phono pickup.
:
:My improvision does not work:
:The original uses a steel needle that guides the
:heavy tonearm.
:
:I was looking at places like Radio Shack, etc for
:crystal microphones that I could get the crystal out
:of to replace the aged original crystal element.
:
:I can't find any suitable replacement.
:I was concidering using a dremel tool to cut open
:some old CB or transciever crystals and see if that
:would work.
:
:I was wondering how anyone else deals with this
:problem as every single cartridge I've seen has
:the same trouble.
:The cargridge itself is made of steel or aluminium,
:riveted together, sometimes filled with wax and
:the large needle vibrates a center shaft that is
:coupled to the end of a crystal.
:
:Also, does anyone know where I could get some blank
:phonocord records: or even better has anyone MADE one
:out of cardboard layerd with laquer, etc
:
:Thanks for your time!
:Judd Hickston, Atlanta Ga

:Refer to www.audiotools.com/oldcart
: