Really, Koetsu?
A bit of a rant ...
Why does a $15,000 cartridge have a $0.10 stylus guard?
The cynical amongst us would conclude that it's to increase rebuild sales.
I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories in general. The answers are typically found in neglect or oversight (but don't get me started on airplanes falling out of the sky).
I'm more interested in mitigating bad outcomes, however I can. Of course, root cause analysis is essential to long term improvements.
It's Not Just Koetsu
I don't mean to single them out. There are many fine manufacturers who think of stylus guards as an afterthought. They say that a conclusion is the point you reach when you get tired of thinking.
One brand (with an "X" and a "V" in their model name) has a "guard" that presents more risk to cantilever health than leaving it naked to the wind would.
How many "my cleaning lady did it" stories have I heard?
Shipping a mounted cartridge (we do remote setups when possible) presents an even greater problem.
The Good Guys
At the other extreme (and to their credit), Lyra's guards are beautifully designed, complete with rails that mate into milled grooves in the cartridge body.
Another beautifully engineered stylus guard is found on all of Kuzma's cartridges.
They're machined aluminum and they screw on to the cartridge body. You could put one in your pocket along with some loose change.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that these cartridges are also very fine, and worthy of the Kuzma name.
Ask us about them.
Kuzma Screw-on Stylus Guard
The Solution
Secure and Ready for its Journey
Off to the workshop, we fabricate headshell carriers for our customers when the situation dictates it.
Beautiful they're not, but we never claimed to be cabinet makers.
A snapped cantilever is a whole lot uglier.
If you're interested in the delivery report we created for this customer's setup, email us.
