Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge & Stylus – Integrated SME Concorde DJ Pickup
Buy the Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge, an iconic yellow Concorde-style moving magnet DJ cartridge featuring a 0.7 mil spherical diamond stylus, heavy-duty suspension, and a high-output 5mV design. In stock, fast UK delivery.
The Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge is a high-output, professional moving magnet DJ pickup engineered for club mix artists, scratch performers, and vinyl enthusiasts who demand maximum tracking reliability and punchy audio performance. Built around the proven, integrated SME Concorde form factor, the Banana connects directly to standard S-shaped tonearms without requiring a separate headshell or intricate alignment procedures. Manufactured in Denmark with an iconic bright yellow finish, this heavy-duty cartridge pairs a 0.7 mil spherical bonded diamond stylus with a reinforced cantilever and extra internal weighting. Delivering a robust 5mV output signal with strong low-end bass presence, the Tonar Banana provides reliable groove tracking under extreme needle pressure and back-cueing.
Staff Take: The Expert Verdict
The single strongest selling point of the Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge is its bulletproof tracking stability paired with plug-and-play SME integration. The standout feature is its reinforced headshell suspension and embedded internal weighting ring, which allow you to apply up to 5 grams of tracking force without collapsing the cantilever or compromising the record groove. We highly recommend this classic yellow Concorde cartridge for active club DJs, turntablists practicing aggressive back-cueing and scratching, and venue owners looking for a long-lasting, high-output cartridge solution.
Why Choose the Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge?
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Integrated SME Concorde design: Plugs directly into standard tonearm collar assemblies, eliminating the need for mounting screws, headshells, or overhang alignment.
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High-output 5mV moving magnet design: Delivers a loud, dynamic signal that drives DJ mixers and preamps with exceptional clarity and punchy bass extension.
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0.7 mil spherical diamond stylus: Designed to sit securely within record grooves to extract maximum detail while minimizing wear during heavy cueing.
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Reinforced suspension and internal weighting: Engineered to handle high tracking force settings (3g to 5g) to prevent needle skipping during intense scratching routines.
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Iconic high-visibility yellow housing: Features an instantly recognizable bright yellow aesthetic that makes needle placement easy in dark DJ booths.
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Durable low-mass cantilever: Provides responsive tracking across warped or worn vinyl pressings without muddying transient detail.
Who is the Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge best suited for?
The Tonar Banana is designed first and foremost for active club DJs, mobile entertainers, and turntablists who perform regular back-cueing, beatmatching, and scratching routines. Its integrated SME Concorde shape allows DJs to swap cartridges onto venue turntables in seconds, while its heavy-duty suspension ensures the needle stays locked in the groove even when subjected to high booth vibration.
For secondary applications, this cartridge serves as a durable, low-maintenance choice for bar and venue installations, vinyl collectors, and home DJs who want a reliable replacement pickup. Because replacement styli (Tonar 1812) are widely available and easy to clip on, it offers a cost-effective long-term solution for high-volume playback environments.
Tonar Banana vs Traditional 1/2-Inch Mounted Cartridges — What's Changed?
The primary advantage of moving to the Tonar Banana Concorde cartridge over traditional half-inch headshell-mounted cartridges (like standard Audio-Technica or Shure 1/2" models) is the total elimination of visual alignment error and headshell setup time. Standard 1/2-inch cartridges require mounting hardware, precise overhang alignment protractors, and delicate wiring lead connections. The Tonar Banana integrates the cartridge body directly into an SME connector housing, allowing you to screw it onto the tonearm and begin playing immediately.
Secondary enhancements focus on structural rigidity and output power. Traditional headshell configurations feature multiple contact points and thin leads that can introduce signal hum or flex under heavy hand pressure. The Tonar Banana’s single-piece body, internal weighting ring, and heavy-duty suspension handle aggressive back-cueing without flexing, ensuring direct energy transfer and a bold 5mV audio signal.
How to Set Up the Tonar Banana Disco Cartridge
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Ensure your turntable power is off and the tonearm cue lever is in the raised position.
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Align the SME pin connector on the back of the Tonar Banana with the socket of your S-shaped tonearm.
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Slide the cartridge into the tonearm collar and tighten the locking ring securely until the connection is flush.
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Remove the protective plastic stylus guard from the front of the cartridge.
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Balance your tonearm horizontally to zero out the counterweight.
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Set the tracking force scale dial to the recommended 4.0 grams (usable operational range is 3.0g to 5.0g).
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Adjust your tonearm anti-skating control to match your chosen tracking force setting, cue a record, and verify playback.
Technical Specifications
| System Feature |
Specification Details |
| Product Category |
Integrated SME Moving Magnet (MM) DJ Cartridge |
| Cartridge Form Factor |
Concorde-Style Integrated SME Bayonet |
| Stylus Tip Profile |
Bonded 0.7 mil Spherical Diamond |
| Output Voltage |
5.0 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec) |
| Frequency Response |
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz |
| Recommended Tracking Force |
4.0 g (Operational range 3.0 g – 5.0 g) |
| Channel Separation |
> 20 dB at 1 kHz |
| Channel Balance |
Within 2.0 dB at 1 kHz |
| Recommended Load Impedance |
47 kOhms |
| Recommended Load Capacitance |
400 pF |
| Replacement Stylus Model |
Tonar 1812 Replacement Stylus |
| Total Unit Weight |
16.0 g |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Tonar Banana fit on any turntable?
The Tonar Banana fits any turntable equipped with a standard S-shaped or J-shaped tonearm using a universal SME bayonet connection (such as Technics SL-1200 series, Pioneer PLX models, Reloop, and Audio-Technica decks). It is not compatible with straight tonearms requiring 1/2-inch headshell mounts.
What tracking force should I set on my tonearm?
While the cartridge can operate between 3.0g and 5.0g, the manufacturer's recommended tracking force is 4.0 grams for the optimal balance between tracking stability and low record wear.
Is this cartridge suitable for scratching?
Yes, absolutely. The combination of a 0.7 mil spherical diamond tip, heavy-duty cantilever suspension, and internal weighting makes the Banana ideal for scratching, back-cueing, and heavy handling.
How do I replace the needle when it wears down?
You do not need to replace the entire cartridge. Simply pull the yellow stylus assembly forward off the front of the Concorde body and slide a new Tonar 1812 replacement stylus straight on until it clicks into place.
Does this cartridge require a phono preamp?
Yes. The Tonar Banana outputs a standard 5mV moving magnet (MM) phono signal. It must be plugged into a dedicated PHONO input on a DJ mixer, audio interface, or external phono stage.
What's In The Box?
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1 x Tonar Banana Concorde DJ Cartridge & Pre-installed Stylus
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1 x Protective Stylus Cover
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1 x Operational User Guide
Why Buy From DJKIT?
When you buy your cartridges and vinyl accessories from djkit®, you are partnering with an established UK audio specialist supporting the DJ and vinyl community since 1999. Our in-house technical team regularly tests cartridges, turntables, and replacement styli across industry-standard club setups, ensuring we can provide expert guidance on tonearm balancing, tracking calibration, and system matching.
Whether you need assistance choosing the right replacement styli or setting up your tonearm geometry, our sales team is ready to assist. Contact our specialists today on 01635 780002 or send a message to our main support desk. We offer flexible 0% finance options, real-time inventory tracking, and fast UK mainland delivery to keep your records spinning safely.
