Some friday! Everything gone smooth at work (even had time to fix a Teac X-1000 open-reel recorder for a co-worker of mine!), and at home: two packets were waiting! Some parts (fe. headphone sockets and cable to use here) but the other packet was even better: my re-tipped cartridges from Axel Schürholz of Schallplattennadeln.de. I sent two badly distorted-sounding MMC carridges there exactly two weeks ago, a MMC4 and SMMC4 (which I got when I bought my Beogram 9000). I chose to have "Reparatur MMC 1/ 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / mit elliptischer Diamant N." which was the second-cheapest option being 99 EUR/cart.

I have just un-packed them and will test later today. Interesting to hear how they sound, especially comparing between MMC and SMMC. 

Very nice!

The cut (where the cartridge has been cut open during the repair) can be seen here.

I would be most interested to hear what Axel thinks of the SMMC4 compared to the MMC4 in construction as well as sound quality.

Why did the SMMC-4 sound distorted?  Did you damage it?

Me? Never!

The SMMC-4 had high distortion with certain records, I thought it was caused by some low enough bass notes. It wasn't audible with all records (and at the time I couldn't be sure if my records were any good, either). I really don't know what was wrong with it but for somewhy it didn't just play well. I recon the previous owner had damaged it somehow. 

As soon as I have time I'll post some sound samples (SMMC4 before-after re-tipping).

Doctor:

I would be most interested to hear what Axel thinks of the SMMC4 compared to the MMC4 in construction as well as sound quality.

I asked him about this when sending some final thanks'. In summary from his post: there is no electrical difference between the two but in SMMC's there is another type of suspension rubber that in his words is "too soft and brittle".

Has there been any recommendation about the stylus pressure on retipped cartridges? Should I use 1.2 grams as per the original MMC4 specification?

The 99 Euro retipping sure is fine, I consider doing that on an MMC20EN, as I want to hear the difference between that and my retipped MMC2 with the 159 Euro option with contact line diamond

1,2 grams should be fine

-Søren

I found a little more weight than original for my MMC5000 gave better results. Use an LP you know well and tune by ear. Set to 1.2g and then increase by 0.1g steps. Also remember that the indicated weight might not be accurate - I use a B&O stylus gauge.