The similarity of the operating principles of the atomic force microscope and the phonograph has suggested testing of a phonograph cartridge as a force sensor for scanning force microscopy (SFM). The results were surprisingly good. A stereophonic piezoelectric cartridge showed a height resolution limit of 0.01 Angstrom, and was used, with the original stylus, to take SFM images in both normal and lateral force modes. The device works in constant height mode on a height range of more than 10(6), from less than 1 Angstrom to about 100 mu m, but its high capacitance sensors also allow the feedback mode operation. A model of the lateral resolution of an exploring stylus that allows a direct comparison with the resolution of optical instruments is discussed.