RCA's ceramic stereo cartridges 1959-1964

[Motorola minion]

This is a subject in itself but here is my attempt, owning more than a few of these, some functioning.

[Motorola minion]

Here is the "airplane needle" on a 1964 model using an RP-217 RCA changer.

[Motorola minion]

The original carts output close to 0.5 volts, which is close to replacement values of these available cartridges from Varco, E-V and Tetrad
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog ... ?PID=P3864
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog ... ategories=
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog ... ategories=

The trick is how to mount the replacement cartridge UP inside the headshell yet maintain proper tracking geometry. For the EV-274 indicated in my picture of tonearm head of a RCA SHC-6, the mounting bracket was modified to sit between the screw bosses that held in the pictured RMP-200.

[electra225]

Is this the same or similar procedure used on the RCA 45 players? I understand the correct cartridges for those are made of unobtanium, or am I all wet?

[Motorola minion]

The cute, flat, little tonearms had mono carts were the same too, so no need to go out in the sun and dry off, we haven't seen it for a week anyway!

[electra225]

The sun has been scarce here as well. And we are the Valley of the Sun ! It is 52 here now with a strong southwest breeze that feels like 25. It rained here all last night and everything is "sog city" as my wife likes to say. The sun is out now, but it's not doing much good. It is supposed to frost tonight, so I need to bring in the cucumbers and the "germaniums" (geraniums).

Perhaps this post might be helpful if it was reproduced in "Getting Started". This is helpful information for anyone repairing an RCA 45 player, and I know there is at least one member who has one that needs a cartridge.