[78-L] Damage Control on Acoustic 78s? - PART II

[beststuff4u at frontiernet.net]

 I thank those of you who responded with relevant information to my initial inquiry. Unfortunately the answers provided me with an understanding of all I need to consider in playing acoustic 78s but did not address the signs or symptoms of potential damage-in-progress while I am playing the records. I believe you gave too much credit that I understand the very elementary knowledge you all have from your experiences.

Dave Lennick provided some very valuable detailed information and questions that made me realize that I did not sufficiently pose my questions. I'll give it another try as follows:

I have very old acoustic 78s that I am currently thinking of playing on an early 70s Garrard TT with a Shure M91-ED cartridge and an after market 3.0 mil stylus. If need be, I am willing to get a new TT, cartridge, styli, etc. if that is determined by your answers from the questions I am posing. 

1. I often hear the term "mistracking" but do not know how to identify it. Exactly how would I know if mistracking is happening?

2. If I'm playing a record and the stylus size is incorrect, how would I know that? I've learned from many of your posts regarding styli that some of you have multiple styli of various sizes so clearly you must have some criteria to know when you've selected the right one or conversely selected the wrong one?

3. Same question as #2 above but STYLUS SHAPE (ie. conical elliptical, TE) incorrect vs correct for a given record as you are playing it? 

4. Same question as #2 above but TRACKING PRESSURE incorrect vs correct for a given record as you are playing it?

5. For those of you with multiple cartridges, how can you tell from playing a record if the tonearm and cartridge are properly matched?

Please do not hesitate to respond in the simplest terms. As you can see from my questions, you would be correct to assume that I am truly starting from scratch.

Thank you!