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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment.

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Old 14th May 2022, 5:03 pm   #1
Tarbster
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Default Ferguson 387RG radio gramophone

Hi.
I’ve got a Ferguson 387rg in great condition. The radio works fine and the turntable does too but I think it needs a new stylus. Any idea where I might get a suitable one from and how to fit it?
Thanks,
Andrew
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Old 14th May 2022, 8:25 pm   #2
Audio1950
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Default Re: Ferguson 387rg radio gramophone

Hi Andrew, and welcome to the forum.
The original cartridge (the thing that holds the stylus) would have been a BSR TC8, but as with all radiograms, there is the possibility that the original cartridge has been replaced in the past, so a photo of the present stylus would be very helpful. Either that, or any identification marks/numbers on the cartridge that could give is a clue. Be aware though that if it IS the original, it will wreck stereo records, in which case you may want to replace the whole cartridge.

Last edited by Audio1950; 14th May 2022 at 8:31 pm.
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Old 15th May 2022, 10:34 am   #3
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Default Re: Ferguson 387rg radio gramophone

Hi. Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post. I’ve attached some photos. Any help and advice much appreciated. Thanks, Andrew

Hi again. I think it is the original stylus. The radiogram has been in the family from new. How much would you expect to pay for a new cartridge and where would I get one and find someone competent to fit it? Thanks, Andrew
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Old 15th May 2022, 11:39 am   #4
John10b
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Default Re: Ferguson 387rg radio gramophone

Hi Andrew, Musonic.co.uk should be able to supply you, the cost is about £9 for one.
Are you getting any output from the Cartridge? Either play a record or rub your finger along the stylus you should hear sound from speaker.
John
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Old 15th May 2022, 12:50 pm   #5
Tarbster
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Default Re: Ferguson 387RG radio gramophone

Hi John. Thanks for your message. I was just fiddling with it and the wires to the stylus have come off. I attach some photos. I’ve just put the red and black stickers on so I know which wire goes to which. Cartridge refers to the status being TC8G and TC8R and the cartridge has FUL – FI TC8 M on it. Wondering whether I should put the original cartridge back on or buy a new one instead? Any thoughts gratefully appreciated. Thanks, Andrew
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Old 15th May 2022, 12:51 pm   #6
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: Ferguson 387rg radio gramophone

Quote:
Originally Posted by John10b View Post
Hi Andrew, Musonic.co.uk should be able to supply you, the cost is about £9 for one.
Are you getting any output from the Cartridge? Either play a record or rub your finger along the stylus you should hear sound from speaker.
John
Yes, but this will be a replacement Mono-only TC8 LP stylus and cannot be used on Stereo LPs. A new Stereo cartridge would be the best option. This could be fitted by the OP, but will need a little experience as the work is delicate. It will also need the underdeck tags bridging.
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Old 15th May 2022, 1:38 pm   #7
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Default Re: Ferguson 387RG radio gramophone

The 'G' and 'R' in the TC8G and TC8R presumably refers to 'green' and 'red' where the green stylus was for the older shellac 78 rpm records and red stylus was for microgroove records. I don't know when that colour convention was established or by whom, but as a side issue, recent new Chinese BSR lookalike flip-over cartridges seem to have reversed the colours for some reason.
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Now where on earth did I remove that from?
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Old 15th May 2022, 2:25 pm   #8
Audio1950
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Default Re: Ferguson 387RG radio gramophone

If you decide to go for just a new TC8 stylus, you will see that a stereo version is available. Don't think that will enable you to play stereo records safely, it won't. The cartridge itself doesn't have the necessary compliance, so as has been said already, a new stereo cartridge would be ideal, and will only cost a few more pounds than a new stylus.
Barry
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Old 15th May 2022, 3:51 pm   #9
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Default Re: Ferguson 387RG radio gramophone

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarbster View Post
I was just fiddling with it and the wires to the stylus have come off.
I think we should all take note that the OP obviously doesn't understand the difference between a stylus and the whole cartridge, which is understandable if you're new to this sort of thing. The stylus is the 'little thing' that's held in place by a small watch type screw - there's one on each side of the cartridge, one for vinyl 45 & 33 RPM and one for shellac 78 RPM records. That cartridge can NOT be used for playing any stereo vinyl records.

That TC8 cartridge will be duff by now anyway, so not worth wasting money on a stylus. If you wanted to try it to see if it actually still worked, then what you must NEVER do is to solder wires directly onto the cartridge, as just a second or two of heat will destroy the crystal within it. The two clip tangs should be removed from the cartridge tags and once the wires have been soldered on, the cooled down tags can be pushed back onto the cartridge - this same applies to when fitting a new replacement cartridge.

So you'll likely need a complete new cartridge. Don't buy any type that has the flag protruding from the front of the tonearm head that turns the entire body of the cartridge over like the one you've got, as NONE of these are compatible to play modern stereo records - even those examples that pretend to be stereo! You'll need one of the types with a 'flip under' lever that just rotates the stylus ONLY. If you don't ever want to play any 78s, then the very cheap Chinese single stylus type will be fine for modern records. You'll also need to buy a stylus pressure gauge to re-set the tracking weight for the new replacement cartridge.
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Old 15th May 2022, 3:57 pm   #10
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Default Re: Ferguson 387RG radio gramophone

Andrew just to clarify.
1. Do you get any output from your cartridge?
2. Do you play only old mono records or do you intend getting some modern stereo Records?
John
Sorry didn’t see post from Techman.
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