Headshell wires, broken again!

[colinB]

Ive been messing about with my cartridge again and bust a wire from its tag.
The wires i have were a spair set from a sumiko head so thats it, no more wires.
Its the third ive broken, its really tricky with the Jelco fixed head, especially so as my cartridge sits back really deep and pushed tight up against the tags.
Can anyone direct me to a reliable manufacturer to buy some replacements?

[Mike]

I've got a set you can have if you like? :)

Cheers...

[selfaddict]

Ive been messing about with my cartridge again and bust a wire from its tag.
The wires i have were a spair set from a sumiko head so thats it, no more wires.
Its the third ive broken, its really tricky with the Jelco fixed head, especially so as my cartridge sits back really deep and pushed tight up against the tags.
Can anyone direct me to a reliable manufacturer to buy some replacements?

Cheap

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GEMINI-NUMARK-SOUNDLAB-STANTON-SHURE-DJ-HEADSHELL-LEADS-/160239275318?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item254f014d36

Mid price

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sumiko-HL-29-Headshell-Leads-/230484436038?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35a9f16446

High price

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clearaudio-Headshell-Leads-Excellent-/230488413970?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35aa2e1712

I have used Jelco headshell leads and been very happy with them, don't know if you can get them separately. Can you adjust the pivot to spindle distance on your deck or is the tonearm position fixed?

[DSJR]

Others may disagree, but the Sumiko ones look fine to me with twisted conductors and heat-shrink wrapped terminals.

If there's any way cou can carefully form the soldered end of the tags to bend outwards slightly before fitting them t the arm, you may be ok if the cartridge has to sit far back. I've been there many times and agree it's a pita.

If you need to re-solder, get a tiny iron for the job with a very fine tip, so you don't over heat everything. Some "helping-hands" and heat conducting tweezers may be a help too.

Good luck :)

[alfie2902]

I use J7s Kondo silver fairy wire headshell set. They sound very nice indeed but are extremely thin silver conductors, nice tags & well made! :eyebrows:

The thinness of the wire makes me be extra careful when changing or adjusting my cartridge. If you've got 2 left hands perhaps they're not for you but I find it makes me take extra care! :)

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/alfie2902/IMG_0313-1.jpg

[DSJR]

Good point there :)

I'm so bloody ham-fisted these days I don't think i could deal with regular playing with wire such as this. I've bought some of the copper version for the SME when it arrives (a Series2 Improved with suspect wiring) and am set for some fun....

[colinB]

Thanks everyone for your generous offers and advice.
Ive only just come back from the various dens of iniquity down the back streets of SOHO. No not the whore houses the record shops.
I think i might have a go at soldering them , see if i still can. I was trained by the her majs M.O.D Royal Navy and i imagine its like riding a bike. But they are so dam small, and the insulation is made of silk! We will see tomorrow.
And that headshell is totally fixed. I do miss the removable one.