I've seen off brand reproducers for playing both lateral and vertical cut records...I saw one on a Claxtonola and another one on an Emerson phonograph. The reproducer head swivels 90 degrees to play the vertical cut records. Should a normal steel needle or a sapphire needle be used when playing the vertical records such as Pathé, etc.?
Thanks,
AR
What kind of needle to use for vertical records
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- Victor II
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Re: What kind of needle to use for vertical records
Pathé uses a sapphire ball, as do many other verticals, except edison diamond discs which uses the diamond stylus and there's another vertical cut record which I've forgotten the name of that uses a steel needle for vertical grooves
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- Victor V
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Re: What kind of needle to use for vertical records
Okeh records were advertised as being suitable with either sapphire ball or steel needle.
Pathé is sapphire only. The shallow grooves of a Pathé disc probably won't hold a steel needle without skipping.
If the record doesn't have a warning about using only with sapphire ball, I think it's probably okay to use with a steel needle.
Pathé is sapphire only. The shallow grooves of a Pathé disc probably won't hold a steel needle without skipping.
If the record doesn't have a warning about using only with sapphire ball, I think it's probably okay to use with a steel needle.
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- Victor VI
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Re: What kind of needle to use for vertical records
There are only a few verticals that use steel needles. Early Okeh and early Operaphone come to mind. Search the board and you'll find others, I'm sure.
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- Victor VI
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Re: What kind of needle to use for vertical records
I tested the composition of some broken Pathé verticals and there are no abrasives in them for a steel needle to be suitable.
After all, they're "Sapphire Records."
After all, they're "Sapphire Records."
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- Victor II
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Re: What kind of needle to use for vertical records
I have used the cactus thorn needles on the few vertical shellac records I have and they work well.
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- Victor II
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Re: What kind of needle to use for vertical records
Thanks everybody for the feedback!
AR
AR