A novel pickup stylus includes a tapering dielectric support element which has a tip defined by a prow and a relatively flat surface remote from the prow. The dielectric support element has an arrowhead-shaped cross-section in the region of its tip with the apex of the arrowhead-shape cross-section located on the prow and its base defined by the rear surface. The entire rear surface of the dielectric support element is covered with conductive material to form a narrow electrode in the region of its tip. To form a narrowed-electrode stylus, a tapering dielectric support element, having a prow and an electrode surface remote from the prow, is introduced in a trapezoidal abrasive groove while relative motion is established therebetween. The electrode face of the support element is gradually tilted toward the abrasive groove until it subtends a shallow angle therewith to form a portion having an arrowhead-shape cross-section in the region of its tip. The support element is lapped later to form a bottom surface defining a stylus shoe.