Deep scratches on vinyl-bad for stylus?

I can only speak of the Shure cartridge but a friend dropped the cherry of a joint on my Led Zeppelin One and burned a hole in it.When it was returned to me I didn't notice it and played it. The record was sounding fine and then the wierdest sound like sandpaper being dragged across wood as the record was being held in one spot by the cartrige and the platter was spinning underneath enveloped the room. Don't worry needles are pretty tuff. RIP Guy.

I don't think that there's any definitive study or proof, but I have a great deal of difficulty believing that playing vinyl with deep scratches and similar damage is not going to affect stylus and/or cartridge life.

Think about it for a minute. While we all probably do it from time to time, it's not going to be good for the stylus/suspension if done on a regular basis.

Ha, I just posted a similar question, not having seen this one in time (googled it didn't come up).

I'm glad to hear the comments above. I've recorded (to digital about a dozen or so old blues and rock records that have some serious scratches in them (a couple of which caused skips).

My stylus is rather new so if I can avoid replacing it (just stylus, not cartridge) that would be good.

The other problem with old records can be crud from previous owners that I can't seem to clean off. I guess if it doesn't come off with soap and water, it'll just translate to noise but (for just a few records) not harm the stylus or get stuck to it.

I have a small brush with Stanton liquid that somebody gave me, but I'm not sure how much it would help.

The stylus is much, much harder than vinyl. Scratches will do it no harm.