Can anyone identify this cartridge?

NeverSatisfied

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#1
Anyone recognize this cartridge? And if so, is it worth sending off to be repaired?
It came on a damaged Micro Seiki MA 707 tone arm.
4C929423-E6D5-435E-BC4D-FE305C0B7000.jpeg 142544F1-D5E1-45D0-B7CF-8FAD3C5D894D.jpeg C35F2534-C5D8-4FA5-9481-A56ACCD976ED.jpeg 5C0FB704-A355-4369-9EEB-3F40C1FD348E.jpeg 49BC208E-3456-470F-BEC4-0BCC3FAA9E8E.jpeg
 
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Bob Boyer said:
Huh. Never knew GAS made (or marketed?) a phono cartridge. Looks an awful lot like a Sumiko Talisman Alchemist MC I haven't used in years, though.
Click to expand...
I tried to look at it under magnification and still couldn’t make it out clearly.
Could be GAS or maybe CAS, it is definitely a moving coil and damaged.
Any thoughts on the numbers scratched on the top 292158 ?
 
Bob Boyer

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No thoughts on the numbers (serial no.?) but that sure looks like the GAS logo to me...

For comparison - look up the pix of Nando's GAS gear; not sure if they are in the score thread or elsewhere but if you find them, you'll recognize the similarity.
 
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Bob Boyer said:
No thoughts on the numbers (serial no.?) but that sure looks like the GAS logo to me...

For comparison - look up the pix of Nando's GAS gear; not sure if they are in the score thread or elsewhere but if you find them, you'll recognize the similarity.
Click to expand...
You nailed it, GAS Sleeping Beauty MC. Thanks
Now I need to research if it can/should be rebuilt.
 
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Bob Boyer said:
You confirmed my guess and I learned something today; GAS made some stuff I never knew about. However, it's too early for a nap...
Click to expand...
Initial research indicates that it was made by Coral for GAS and was available in 3 or 4 iterations. The Coral equivalent appears to be the 777E or EX. Value of working specimens is all over the place, low $250, high $650.
Any recommendations for someone to rebuild it? A7928BBB-55DB-4BA6-ADAF-1F9D93FCAA69.jpeg
 
8991XJ

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There are a few rebuilders in the US, Soundsmith, VAS, Joseph, needlestein from ak where he was always advertising his service without being a vendor so he got punted but set up shop on ebay and Andy.

https://www.sound-smith.com/services/cartridge-rebuilding-retipping

https://vasnyinc.com/repair-service/

https://www.ebay.com/usr/cartridge_retipping-5?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

http://www.phonocartridgeretipping.com/

Soundsmith will be costly, take a bit of time but may be the best. VAS is very good. (both from reading what folks have received after sending in a cartridge for repair.). Don't know Joseph's work. Andy is on the left coast.

Then there is the UK (Expert Stylus) and Aus (Chris, cafe latte on ak) that have folks that do this work, too.

I need to get about 10 cartridges looked at and 1 needs a suspension rebuild, one needs a cantilever so I have been collecting this info in my mind, now I know where to look to find the list when I finally decide to do something. VAS may have first shot, you can send in cartridges for a viewing for short money maybe just postage, something I could do if I had a stylus microscope. But the last one that floated through the bay for cheap was bought before I read my alert about it.

Seems most are using built stylus assemblies, cantilevers with nails attached. Differences are what the material of the cantilever is and the shape of the diamond.
 
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8991XJ said:
There are a few rebuilders in the US, Soundsmith, VAS, Joseph, needlestein from ak where he was always advertising his service without being a vendor so he got punted but set up shop on ebay and Andy.

https://www.sound-smith.com/services/cartridge-rebuilding-retipping

https://vasnyinc.com/repair-service/

https://www.ebay.com/usr/cartridge_retipping-5?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

http://www.phonocartridgeretipping.com/

Soundsmith will be costly, take a bit of time but may be the best. VAS is very good. (both from reading what folks have received after sending in a cartridge for repair.). Don't know Joseph's work. Andy is on the left coast.

Then there is the UK (Expert Stylus) and Aus (Chris, cafe latte on ak) that have folks that do this work, too.

I need to get about 10 cartridges looked at and 1 needs a suspension rebuild, one needs a cantilever so I have been collecting this info in my mind, now I know where to look to find the list when I finally decide to do something. VAS may have first shot, you can sent in cartridges for a viewing for short money, something I could do if I had a stylus microscope. But the last one that floated through the bay for cheap was bought before I read my alert about it.

Seems most are using built stylus assemblies, cantilevers with nails attached. Differences are what the material of the cantilever is and the shape of the diamond.
Click to expand...
Excellent, thank you.
Just sent an email to VAS, will see what they think. I am not looking to spend $500 on a cart that is only worth $300, so we will see.
 
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