[beat]

Hey guys,
I am using a grado sonata cart...not a super expensive cart or anything but I wonder if I'm abusing it. I have been keeping a real soft sable paintbrush near the tt to swipe off the larger dust bunnies that may accumulate every so often. For routine maintenance I use a zerodust. The other night though, after a few drinkypoos, I swiped it with a downward motion with the paintbrush to knock off some of the accumulation on the top of the stylus cantilever and it was surprisingly compliant...or I was kinda drunk ...either way, it moved pretty darn far and slowly moved back up to the original position...dampening at its finest I suppose. It probably moved a millimeter or two. Could dammage occur with such movement? It sounds fine still. Should I stop using the brush or should I stop playing the TT when I'm drunk?
thanks, beat

[mgalusha]

That's scary. I broke a cantliver off doing something similar long ago. It may be just fine since it didn't break off or bend. You should be OK with the brush as long as you brush from back to front. I have a zerodust as well and it works great.

I would avoid the TT if you're drinking. I picked up a Scheu-Benz yesterday and was going to install it this evening but my wife suggested a cocktail and I figured I wouldn't even get near it after a couple drinks. That cartridge is nude and the cantilever is completely exposed. The thought of breaking it off is frightening.  

[Inscrutable]

Well, in honor of your avatar and sig line, and on the subject of broken cantilevers - I once watched in horror as one now dearly departed (.... unrelated .... really) cat jumped from my TV to the spinning platter of my TT.  In that case, I would ADVISE drinking!

[beat]

That is crazy Inscrutiable! Is your dearly departed departed because of that episode?
MG, you are wiser than I. I will have to be more careful.

[doug s.]

That is crazy Inscrutiable! Is your dearly departed departed because of that episode?
MG, you are wiser than I. I will have to be more careful.

he clearly stated the cat's demise was unrelated to the turntable episode....

i still recall w/anguish snapping the cantilever off my yust-purchased dynavector karat 17 cartridge as i was adjusting the weight...   i still wonder how that cartridge wooda sounded, compared to my ortofon mc25-fl...  

doug s.

[JoshK]

I bent the cantilever of my Dyn when it caught the cuff of my sleeve as I went to take the record weight off to flip the record over.   I must admit to having had more than one 'drinkypoo' before the incident.   I now stick to ceedees when partaking or at least move very slowly when drinking and spinning vinyl.

[Carlman]

Doesn't sound like there was any problem.  What is it with drinking that compels the use of vinyl?  I have found a few Guiness and vinyl go together extremely well.... especially with a friend.  Vinyl rules.

Just remember... 'focus' when you go to deal with the TT.  When the music starts playing, you can breathe (and drink) again.

[beat]

That is crazy Inscrutiable! Is your dearly departed departed because of that episode?
MG, you are wiser than I. I will have to be more careful.

he clearly stated the cat's demise was unrelated to the turntable episode....
 

doug s.

Doh!,
see what happens when I try to post inbetween roasting batches of coffee at work? Focus, Beat...Focus!! One thing at a time...and now it's Coffee!! if it isn't one vice screwing me up its another!   Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone guys!

[Inscrutable]

I generally only get mad at inanimate objects ... as mgalusha's sig says ...  

[Rocket]

Hi Guys,

About a year ago i was having a drinking session whilst listening to my Mint copy of 'Dark Side of the Moon'.  Unfortunately when i removed it from my turntable i dropped it and cracked it in 2 places.

I try not to drink and drive whilst i am listening to vinyl now .

regards

rod