Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

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brianu
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Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by brianu »

I haven't seen anything like this and was wondering what it might be...

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-RHAMSTINE-N ... 240%3A1318

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MordEth
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by MordEth »

Brian,

I believe that it is a speaker to attach to a tone arm, based on a photo of the box to it that I was able to find via a Google search:

Image

(Found here.)

Hope this helps.

— MordEth

[hr][/hr]
eBay Item #190299755927

Vintage Rhamstine Needlephone

Current bid: US $7.00, 0 bids.
Shipping: US $6.00
Seller: funkyhunky371 (135)
Feedback: 100% positive.
End time: Apr-15-09 17:01:11 PDT (6 days 9 hours)

Rhamstine Needlephone, mfg by J. Thos Rhamstine, Detroit. This is an item I found in my late uncle's treasures, that's all i know about it. I hope someone finds a home for it and would possibly enlighten me to its use. Good bidding.

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Zeppy
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by Zeppy »

Not sure, but is this one of those contraptions to play radio through a phonograph horn? There's an example of one in the latest edition of look for the dog.

If it is what i think it is, you connect the wires to the radio, place the body of the contraption under the reproducer, and it runs the vibrations through the reproducer.

???

richardh

Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by richardh »

Now that is a neat device! Not something you see very often either. I wonder how effective is is - volume and sound quality wise.

RJ 8-)

Detrbear
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by Detrbear »

Pardon me for resurrecting an ancient thread, but I found a nicely done YouTube video demonstrating a Rhamstine Needlephone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loyndWPbXv4

This channel, ART & TECHNIQUE, demonstrates items they are or were selling on eBay. Many of the videos are quite worth watching!

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Phono-Phan
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by Phono-Phan »

That is really COOL!!! I want one.

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AZ*
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by AZ* »

I bought a similar device at the Union show about 15 years ago. Mine is called a Dulce-Tone.

More info here:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/teagleco_ ... ker_s.html
Best regards ... AZ*

thatonejohn
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by thatonejohn »

Just think if somebody were to manufacture one of these with bluetooth and an auxiliary input. The demand for phonographs could increase!

muzafan
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by muzafan »

Maybe then they could be advertised as an cheaper alternative to Western Electric horns

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emgcr
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Re: Needlephone? Anyone know what this is?

Post by emgcr »

thatonejohn wrote:Just think if somebody were to manufacture one of these with bluetooth and an auxiliary input. The demand for phonographs could increase!
Not quite the same thing but may be of interest ? The Bluetooth driver is clearly shown at the end of the video sitting on the horn inlet. The quality of the sound is good but the volume may be a little misleading as it is low in reality due to the small size of the Bluetooth speaker.

There is also a link to a video demonstrating the result of a similar Bluetooth speaker connected directly to the tonearm incorporating the shell of a Meltrope soundbox.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbtikGV8WHo Bluetooth driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ZLAdn-zBE Vintage concentric magnet driver.

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