Is It Time to Change Your Stylus? Here’s How to Tell

Hey Rockaway fam!
Let’s get real for a second—your stylus (aka needle) is kind of like the tires on your car. You don’t really think about it... until something sounds off, feels weird, or flat-out stops working.

Whether you’re rocking an entry-level turntable or you’ve spent years piecing together the perfect hi-fi setup, your stylus is literally the point where your vinyl and your music meet. If it’s worn out? Your records suffer, and your ears will know.

So how do you know when it’s time to change your stylus? Let’s dig in (not literally—never dig into your vinyl, folks).

1. Your music Sounds... Off

Are your records suddenly full of crackles, distortion, or that awful high-end hiss that wasn’t there before? If your favourite albums are starting to sound like they were recorded in a tin can, chances are your stylus is saying: “Mate, I’m done.”

Rockaway tip: Don’t blame your vinyl first! If every record starts sounding suspect, the stylus is usually the culprit.

2. You’re Seeing Skips and Jumps

If your needle’s skipping like a kangaroo on Red Bull, that’s a big red flag. A worn or damaged stylus can’t track the grooves properly—which means your records are in danger and your listening experience is a bummer.

3. Visually Worn or Bent? Replace ASAP

Take a good look (use a magnifier if you’ve got one). If the tip looks dull, chipped, bent, or somehow "off-centre," don’t even wait—stop playing records and replace it. A damaged stylus can chew through your vinyl like a hungry wombat.

4. You've Played a Lot (Like, A Lot)

Most styluses are rated for around 500–1,000 hours of play depending on the type and how well you maintain it. If you’re regularly spinning albums, cleaning your stylus, and loving your records, you’ll still hit that limit eventually.

No shame in it—just means you’re a proper vinyl head.

Elliptical vs Conical: What’s the Deal?

Quick geek-out moment:

• Conical stylus: Rounded tip. More forgiving. Great for casual listening or older records.

• Elliptical stylus: Sharper, oval-shaped tip. Tracks grooves more accurately, meaning better sound and detail—but needs more precise setup.

Both are great in the right setup. Not sure what yours is? Bring it in—we’ll take a look.

Don’t Know What You Need? Bring It In!

At Rockaway Records, we’re always happy to help. Bring in your current stylus—even if we don’t stock it, we’ll do our best to identify it and let you know where to get a replacement. We can also walk you through setup, alignment, and how to avoid accidentally damaging your new needle.

It’s all part of the service—and yeah, we’ve got replacement styluses, cleaners, cartridges, and everything else you need to keep your vinyl spinning sweetly.

👉 Check out stylus accessories here
👉 Or come visit us in-store for a chat

Final Spin

A worn stylus can wreck your records and your vibe. But the fix is simple, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Whether you’re ready for an upgrade or just want to make sure everything’s running right, pop in and say hey—we love talking turntables almost as much as we love music.

Stay sharp (like your stylus should be),
– The Rockaway Records Crew 🎶