PURCHASING A “PICK UP”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 75, 12 March 1930, Page 9

PURCHASING A “PICK UP”

Assuming that a satisfactory amplifier and s[*‘aker are used .for demonstration, be careful when purchasing a “pick-up’ to see that the response io high and low notes are reasonably uniform. Choose a record for test having a wide band of frequencies, and whether there tends to he an undue predminance of treble or bass. As needle chatter may pot manifest itseSf till a fortissimo passage occurs, let the record for this test be a loud one. It will also exist, irrespective of volunia control adjustment, and it may, therefore, be distinguished from possible amplifier distortion by keeping the volume, control rather low. The pick-up’s weight, at the needle point, should not exceed Got. O’., the other hand, undue lightness tends to cause the needle to jump the grooves of the record, particularly on heavy passages. It should not bo necessary to wait till visible signs of wear appear upon a record to detremine whether the pick-up will be likely to offend in this respect. After a record bus beeu played once, carefully examine the needle point, and note whether it has a quantity of record substance adhering to it. This substance can be distinguished ironi dust by its jet black appearance. Its presence indicates surface scratch, whose damaftu to. the record, though slight at first, proceeds rapidlv until permanent injury renders the record unlit for playing. Providing that tho playing angle and tracking adjustments are correct, its existence is either due to excessive damping or undue weight—perhaps both.