Kenwood KD-1400 TurnTable Needles

From what you describe I believe you are saying that you have a headshell with no cartridge at all. If this is the case..

I would recomend using GRADO cardtridges, they come in several styles and prices ranges, but even the least expensive one (the Black at about $40.00) sounds great. You also need to know what kind of Phono stage the unit youre hooking it up to has - either Magnetic or Ceramic. It's Probably a magnetic Phono stage you are using as those are more common and ceramic are usually found in higher end components. It matters because the cartridges output different voltage levels.

here is a link to a selection of GRADO cartridges:

http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.process?N=11633+400836

but as far as the needle itself, it's missing. I will try to get pics of it up as soon as I can find my camera...

Shure makes some excellent styli; if you can find the headshell, take it to a Guitar Center or similar music store, and they can match it up to a suitable styli.

well, if youve got a good, independently owned (non chain - not best buy, or radio shack, or any of that... they'll have no clue how to help you) HiFi shop around you.... you should just bring the table in and have them asses the cartridge that is on there, and locate a stylus for you. There are thousands of styli available and it is almost impossible to tell exacly which one you need without having the cartridge in front of you.
While you have the table in there you may want to see if they will set it up for you as well so that it tracks properly.
If you were clse to New London, CT I would be able to get you a stylus and set up your table... but your not...

doing a little bit of digging, I've found these people who may be able to help you...

Custom Electronics, Inc.
7511 Pacific Street
Omaha, NE 68114
USA
Phone (402) 397-4434
Fax (402) 397-2781

They probably still have a few people around who are very familiar with analog, (as we do here)... their summary description says:

"In business since 1969 selling and installing quality Audio-video systems. The company has a retail walk in trade as well as custom installation. Custom Electronics does multi-room multi-zone audio-video installations. We also design and install dedicated Home Theater systems and complete touch panel control systems. In addition to local work have done installations in other states."

best of luck to you.

After taking it to a high end stereo dealer, We now have a new head (he said the cartridges for the old head are both a. too old to find, and b. Too expensive if we *could* find them
Anyway, he put on a new head that was compatible with the arm, and put that on.
The first albumn we put on was "ABBA - Greatest Hits volume 2" And the first song was "Take a chance"
Man, that brings back old time from when I was smaller.
While we were at it, we bought another cartridge for the new head, for $20 "just-in-case"
which is not bad, especially since the new head only cost $40USD.
All in all, we now have a functioning and great sounding Kenwood Record player with a diamond-tipped needle. It's nice to hear that "Warm" sound from it (with a bit of popping and hissing)

The only problem we have, is that because of our floors transfering all that movement, we have to step lightly in order to keep it from skipping (The arm was also balanced perfectly for sound). But I guess that is the price to pay for a nice stereo system.

Ah.. Now I have two great systems, a Victrola and a Nice playing Kenwood with Harmon Kardon Receiver and 2 Infinity speakers. And most of it cost only $120 total (harmon kardon and Record Player) minus the cost for speakers and needle.

Thanks all!