So I did this to my Shure SC35C (2018 Edition)

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by dmckean44, Jun 8, 2018.

  1. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    I originally posted this a few years back to the Steve Hoffman and Art of Sound forums. I decided to post this up here since the Photobucket links no longer work in the original posts and now is sort of your last chance to do this before Shure cartridges are discontinued and dry up completely.

    Some background:
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    The Shure SC35C cartridge was originally a joint venture between Shure and the BBC for their MP1-18 tonearm which was paired with their highly modified SP10s during the late 70s. It was mostly used on their Radio 1 stations. Many, many other radio stations worldwide used this for vinyl playback all the way up until the switch to digital. The R&D from this project was used in the creation of V15V-MR consumer cart. Both carts feature a low 425mH inductance similar to that of the Shure M3D, one of the original stereo broadcast carts. The Shure SC35C body uses a cheaper construction than either of these classic carts and is more similar in build to the V15xMR cartridge.

    These carts are great for playing old worn records and 45s. The factory stylus has a way of minimizing ticks and pops into the background and the sound is really compelling. I highly recommend this cart, it's a lot of fun.

    Process:

    The universal aluminum bodies can be found on Ebay here:
    https://ebay.to/2Hvrkjv

    First get everything you need laid out.
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    Here's the SC35C next to the new body.
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    Remove the stylus.
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    Then you use an Exacto knife to pry internal body out of the cheap plastic shell.
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    Keep twisting until it pops loose.
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    Here's the empty plastic shell next to the internal body.
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    The new body gets taped off with painters tape. The plastic body has the cartridge sit at an angle. Four pieces of lead shot are used to keep the correct cartridge angle.
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    Then you mix the epoxy and scoop some into the body. I didn't get an pictures of this part because you need to work fast but here's a picture from the seller's Ebay page as well as one from another user. Both pictures have slightly more epoxy than is actually needed though.
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    Next you carefully place the body in the new shell.
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    80s era bodies have a different contruction and would require some modifcation to work. This is a botched attempt from another Steve Hoffman member.
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    After 24 hours of the epoxy curing you end up with something like this.
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    I get more focus and a wider, deeper soundstage while still keeping all the things I like about this cart (bass authority, midrange clarity and it handles beat up records with ease). Removing the plastic shell also opens of the the choices for stylus for this cart, you're no longer limited to just those that fit the SC35C/M35X/M78S/N44GX body and can use options for the V15V as well as others.
     
  2. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    For the stock stylus, these have come in all kinds of different packaging over the years but there's two varients.

    The modern stylus is a .7 mil conical and has black lettering.
    [​IMG]

    The vintage stylus a .6 mil conical and has white lettering, these are harder to find but worth tracking down.
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