We are pleased to announce the release of “SKRATCH 101”, a new DJ stylus under our C-REVO brand, based on the N44 model.
As an entry-level product in the N44 series, SKRATCH 101 is offered at an affordable price and comes as a set of two styli.
Price: 70.00 USD
Includes 2 styli per set
For the time being, this product will be available exclusively through our official website and at Feel Records Kyoto Hanare.
Developed as a follow-up to the “N44 NUDE” and “N44 SD,” SKRATCH 101 is designed especially for beginner DJs who are just starting to explore mixing, scratching, and beat juggling techniques.
Renowned for its exceptional hardness and durability, ruby is an ideal material for beginner DJs who are still developing a delicate touch. It can withstand more aggressive handling while minimizing wear on your records and preserving sound quality.
In addition to standard vinyl playback, SKRATCH 101 also supports DVS (Digital Vinyl Systems), delivering stable tracking performance across a wide range of setups.
Even during high-impact techniques like backspins and scratching, the stylus maintains precise contact with the groove—helping protect your records and providing the tactile feedback needed to build control and confidence.
The “SKRATCH 101” stylus is fully compatible not only with JICO’s MM cartridges—such as the J44A 7, J44D, J50, IMPACT, and Clipper—but also with SHURE’s iconic M44-7 and M44G cartridges.
Inheriting the design and engineering principles of our higher-end models like the N44 NUDE and N44 SD, the SKRATCH 101 delivers reliable performance and solid quality.
It’s built for beginners, yet carefully crafted to support both technical skill development and creative expression.
At JICO, we position the “SKRATCH 101” as an essential tool for nurturing the next generation of DJs.
Our goal is to make the world of analog DJing more accessible by offering high-quality performance at an approachable price—so that anyone, especially those just starting out, can enjoy the art of DJing.
In April 2023, I traveled to the United States to attend the NAMM Show. During my visit, I had the opportunity to stop by Beat Junkie Institute of Sound, a renowned DJ school located in Los Angeles, California.
One afternoon, while meeting with the staff at the school, I asked if I could observe one of their classes. They kindly invited me to sit in on the evening session that began at 8 PM. I remember there being around 10 to 15 students that night—many of whom came to class straight after work. Under the guidance of the instructor, the session included group exercises, one-on-one coaching, and a final presentation where each student performed what they had practiced. The structured, hands-on approach, and the dedication of every student, left a lasting impression on me.
At the beginning of the session, I was introduced to the class: “Tonight, we have the president of JICO visiting us from Japan.”
The students greeted me warmly and expressed their appreciation, saying “Thank you for your continued support.” Their genuine smiles and kind words truly moved me—it’s a moment I still carry in my heart.
One of the staff members shared with me that tuition isn’t cheap, and some students even take out loans to attend. That level of commitment to mastering the craft of DJing deeply impressed me.
At the time, JICO’s product lineup was focused on premium models featuring nude diamond tips, and prices had risen three- to fourfold compared to just four years prior. For example, the N44 series had increased from around ¥4,000 to over ¥13,000.
It was during this visit that a realization struck me:
“It’s not enough to just offer high-end products. We need to do something more.”
After returning to Japan, I immediately began searching for a new stylus tip.
Even if a potential candidate was found, it would have to pass a wide range of tests—including sound quality, durability, and overall performance—before we could even consider it for production.
While trying to stay patient, I reached out to as many people and connections as I could—not just within Japan, but across the globe. I knew that somewhere out there, the answer might be waiting.
After about six months, I finally made contact with a manufacturer that specialized in SD (synthetic diamond) tips. I asked them whether they could produce the specific stylus size JICO needed.
They responded:
“We can mass-produce 0.3 mil tips.”
But the size I needed was 0.25 mil.
Just five one-hundredths of a mil smaller.
I asked myself:
“Would 0.3 mil be good enough? Would a difference of just 0.05 mil really affect the sound?”
“Is it time to compromise? Maybe it’s better than nothing.”
I was deeply torn.
Over just 0.05 mil—yet that tiny difference meant everything.
In the end, I just couldn’t compromise.
That 0.05 mil difference—between 0.30 mil and 0.25 mil—was something I couldn’t ignore.
JICO has always used 0.25 mil diamond tips. It’s a core part of our identity and craftsmanship.
To me, a specification is like a constitution—not something to be casually changed.
If a change must be made, it should be carefully discussed within the company, and ultimately approved by the board of directors.
So, I shared my thoughts and passion with the chip manufacturer—what JICO stands for, the legacy of our brand, and why this detail mattered so much.
In the end, I bowed my head and asked:
“Please… consider producing it in 0.25 mil.”
Whether it was my sincerity or the strength of our story, they agreed to at least explore the possibility.
Soon after, a sample arrived—and testing began right away.
At the same time, we entered price negotiations.
This part, however, was tough.
The manufacturer told us:
“This size would be made specifically for JICO. It’s costly, and we don’t know how much time or effort it will take to stabilize production until we actually start.”
In the end, they couldn’t meet the price we had originally hoped for.
Still, we were able to move forward with a product that would cost just under twice as much as before—around ¥6,000 for the N44 series.
And with that, we decided to begin production using SD tips—synthetic nude diamonds.
Following the success of our SD (Synthetic Diamond) tips, we didn’t stop at the CUSTOM SHOP lineup.
As the global supply of BD tips (bonded diamonds) became increasingly unstable, we made the decision to expand the use of SD tips to our general REPLACEMENT STYLUS lineup—about 2,200 models that had been discontinued.
These were styluses designed for everyday use, but production had been halted in July 2021 due to sourcing challenges.
In truth, to maintain profitability, we would have needed to raise the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) by around 20%.
However, over the nearly two years of suspension, we received countless messages from around the world—requests for a return, heartfelt encouragement, and even strong words urging us to bring the products back.
We were deeply moved by the many customers who chose not to dispose of their cartridges, holding onto them with hope and care as they waited.
With them in mind, we made a commitment.
In September 2023, we relaunched the REPLACEMENT STYLUS line with no increase to the MSRP.
Around that time, I received a message from someone who said:
“I may be able to supply ruby tips.”
In terms of hardness, diamond has a Vickers hardness of 7,000Hv, while ruby measures around 1,300Hv—about five times softer.
On the Mohs scale, where diamond ranks at 10, ruby (like sapphire) sits at 9—making it softer and more prone to wear.
Still, in the golden age of vinyl, styluses with ruby tips were not uncommon.
Compared to diamond—the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth—ruby is indeed “softer,” but I hesitate to simply call it soft.
And yet, this very softness appears to give ruby tips a unique warmth and smoothness in their sound—a quality some listeners find especially appealing.
We received ruby tip samples for testing, along with preliminary pricing information.
After running some simulations, we confirmed that it would be possible to offer them at the same price as before.
In our initial tests, the ruby tips met JICO’s shape and dimension standards, but—as expected—their durability fell short of diamond.
At our head office factory, I had set up a modest testing system right next to my desk. While working, I would let a record play with the ruby-tipped stylus and, every few hours, ask the engineering team to take magnified photos of the tip to monitor wear. I wanted to see firsthand whether the real-world results matched the durability test data.
The sound quality was impressive—on par with JICO’s main product lines.
But one day, the sound suddenly became muddy. Upon inspection, we found that although the tip had lasted longer than the original test data suggested, the very end of the ruby tip had chipped off.
Still, I couldn’t forget my visit to Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.
The memory of those students, their passion, and their gratitude stayed with me.
I couldn’t bring myself to give up—not yet.
Then one day, I found myself wondering:
“How would it hold up in actual scratching?”
So we began asking DJs—both inside the company and overseas—to help test it in real-world scratch sessions.
Time flew by.
Before I knew it, 2025 had arrived, and I was once again on my way to the NAMM Show in the United States.
At the NAMM Show, I had the chance to connect with countless DJs and influencers from around the world.
Many of them shared thoughtful feedback about our products, and it was truly a meaningful time of exchange and growth for JICO.
Among the crowd, I noticed a large number of kid DJs—young talents who also visited our booth.
Some proudly said,
“We use JICO styli at home with the whole family.”
One mother shared,
“My son is 11, and he sneaks out of bed at night—after we’re asleep—just to practice scratching in secret.”
We heard so many heartfelt stories like these, and I was once again reminded of the depth and resilience of DJ culture in the U.S.
As I boarded my return flight to Japan, I reflected on it all.
Every time I return from an overseas trip, I take the opportunity on the flight home to organize my thoughts—new ideas, realizations, inspirations—one by one.
And once again, I found myself coming back to that moment two years ago, when I visited Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.
That feeling I had back then…
I just couldn’t forget it.
After returning home, I spoke with my older brother—our company’s owner and representative—and together we explored the possibility of bringing a product using ruby tips to market.
What kept driving me forward was a strong desire to support the next generation:
those who want to become DJs, those who dream of getting better, of honing their skills.
I wanted to give them something real—something they could count on.
And so, we created “SKRATCH 101,” a stylus dedicated to DJ use.
(Of course, it can also be used to enjoy regular vinyl playback as well.)
Compared to DJ models that use JICO’s SD tips (synthetic nude diamonds) or NUDE tips (natural nude diamonds), ruby tips are less durable—but that trade-off allowed us to offer this stylus at a more affordable price point.
The name “101” comes from introductory college courses in the United States—the first class you take when starting something new.
We chose this name because we want SKRATCH 101 to be the first stylus someone reaches for when starting their DJ journey.
From 2023 to now, 2025, we’ve received countless messages from people all over the world saying:
“I want to use JICO styli, but the price is just too high…”
To everyone who’s been waiting, who’s been holding on, we want to say—loud and clear:
“Thank you for your patience. It’s finally here. Now go and enjoy it to the fullest!”
July 7, 2025
Yukihiro Nakagawa
President
JICO
Compatible Cartridges:
J44A 7, J44D, J50, IMPACT, Clipper, SHURE M44-7, SHURE M44G
Tip Material:
Natural Solid Ruby
Tip Shape:
Spherical (Round)
Tip Diameter:
φ0.3 mm
Cantilever:
Aluminum (JICO Type S)
Frequency Response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz
Output Voltage:
5.0 mV – 8.0 mV
Tracking Force:
3.5 g – 4.5 g
10:00 AM JST on Monday, July 7, 2025
Shipping will begin sequentially from mid-July 2025 onward.
The colors of the actual product may slightly differ from the images shown due to screen display settings.
