The arm on my turntable keeps sliding across the LP, its not sticking. Is my needle/cartridge bad?

Question

The arm on my turntable keeps sliding across the LP, its not sticking. Is my needle/cartridge bad?

Answer 1

Depending on the type of turntable you have, there should be an adjustable piece at the back end of the arm that lets you control the weight of the arm.  Different cartridges require different weight to operate at peek efficiency.  Some require more weight than others.

Answer 2

To track right the turntable must be level, the needle must be present, tracking weight must be enough to hold the needle in contact and the antiskating setting must be right.

My guess is either the tracking weight has been altered or the stylus arm has been bent relative to the cartridge body and is no longer making proper contact. If the latter -- and it should be visually evident -- you need a new stylus. If not zero the arm weight and antiskating and reset them to the appropriate settings.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Could be the needle is bad(or missing)or could be the arm isn't balanced and doesn't have enough weight to keep it in track.

Answer 4

Unless your music sounds distorted or has a lot of crackling sounds, probably not.

You can check your phono cartridge and see if the needle is seated properly and looks functional.

Sounds like your tonearm is out of balance, it need proper weight to track your music .

Adjust the weight (usually at the end of the tonearm), until the tone arm tracks properly.