Victor Tungs-tone needles

[Edisonfan]

So, a while back, I had bought two Tungs-tone tins, from an antique mall, and they had the original needles in them. Actually, two were missing, presumed used. Anyway, last night I pulled out one of the Full Tone ones, and played a worn out Paramount Blues 78 on my Victrola, and it sounded just as good as one of my steel needles. I was curious, has anyone else used one?

[OrthoSean]

Lots of threads about them here.....they're fine in my experience for good unworn 78s, but they'll add wear much faster to already gray grooves. I use them in my 10-50 and 10-35.

Sean

[Edisonfan]

Thank you Sean!

[Indestructible]

I use them .

[pellicano1]

I am always cautious when getting what appears to be NOS Tungs Tone needles. Once played, they shape to the groove of the record. When removed, if not put back the exact same way, will destroy your records. Ive been told to play the needle in the blank area for 20 secs or so to rectify this. True?

[pellicano1]

Also, I hit the jackpot with around 25 gold Tungs-Tone needles in a sealed cup inside the Victor III I purchased.

[Uncle Vanya]

I always save Tungs-Tones for automatic machines. One cannot under any circumstances safely use a plain steel needle in a record changer, and there are a finite number of surviving Tungs-Tone styli.

Using a Tungs-Tone stylus where a steel needle will do always struck me as being a little self indulgent. Besides which they always impart a little fuzz to the reproduction, and they cannot possibly be as kind to records as steel ("kind" of course being a relative term). Have you ever noticed the little instruction printed on the label of some cheap records which were made from a soft composition? Discs bearing the names Radiex, Globe, Madison,or Grey Gull? "Use Steel Needles. Change Needle Every Time"? I recall taking an unplayed, store stock Radiex disc and watching its color change ad I played it with a Tungs Tone stylus. I played the other side with a fresh steel needle. Thirty-five years have passed, and I still have that record. "The Terror" which was played but once with a Tungs tone sounds worn out and noisy. "Waiting Through the Night" has been played quite as many times, and still is shiny and as quiet as one could expect a Grey Gull product to be. Of course better quality discs do not suffer damage which is immediately apparent, but why take the risk?

[pellicano1]

I always save Tungs-Tones for automatic machines. One cannot under any circumstances safely use a plain steel needle in a record changer, and there are a finite number of surviving Tungs-Tone styli.

Using a Tungs-Tone stylus where a steel needle will do always struck me as being a little self indulgent. Besides which they always impart a little fuzz to the reproduction, and they cannot possibly be as kind to records as steel ("kind" of course being a relative term). Have you ever noticed the little instruction printed on the label of some cheap records which were made from a soft composition? Discs bearing the names Radiex, Globe, Madison,or Grey Gull? "Use Steel Needles. Change Needle Every Time"? I recall taking an unplayed, store stock Radiex disc and watching its color change ad I played it with a Tungs Tone stylus. I played the other side with a fresh steel needle. Thirty-five years have passed, and I still have that record. "The Terror" which was played but once with a Tungs tone sounds worn out and noisy. "Waiting Through the Night" has been played quite as many times, and still is shiny and as quiet as one could expect a Grey Gull product to be. Of course better quality discs do not suffer damage which is immediately apparent, but why take the risk?

Although Ive used these in the past, I agree! I have more fun using my fiber and BCN thorn needles anyway. And steel needles are cheap enough! Using the gold ones I found to fill my empty tins for display!

[Edisonfan]

I have come across Victor Records that state on the label “For Best Results Use Tungs-tone Needles”. the records and needles were made during the war (WW1), since steel was being used for the military.

It would seem to me that the Victor Tungs-tones were meant to be used exclusively with Victor Records, especially the ones that stated too use them for best results.

[Orchorsol]

... Radiex, Globe, Madison,or Grey Gull ... "The Terror" ...

Wow, scarce and valuable record - I'm envious!