There are two types of 78 rpm records: more modern vinyl "microgroove" records that can be played with a standard-size stylus, and pre-WWII shellac recordings, which have a much wider groove. The Sumiko RS78 stylus is made specifically to play the latter type — those fragile vintage gems that contain some of our earliest recorded music. It can be installed in Sumiko Rainier, Olympia, and Moonstone moving magnet cartridges (sold separately) and used to play your treasured shellac records without risking harm to the stylus or the irreplaceable disc.