Quality comparison of NEW steel needles

[Victrolacollector]

I am not a expert on needles. I have tried many needles. I have used needles sold by APSCO, they seem to be good and I believe these were made many years ago by a major manufacturer that originally made them back in the day. I spoke with one of the reps at this company and tried to have some made and packaged, and unless you have them do a large run it is just not economically feasible.

I have used needles sold by Paul Ladd out in NE Indiana(purchased back in 1993), and they are the grey looking unplated ones. I am not sure if it was imagination but these seemed to be very good needles with strong tone and held up good.

I have used Pfanstiehl, Chamberlain, Bry-O-Phonics etc, they all seem to be good, the Bry-O-Phonics were purchased in 1994 at only 1.49 per pack, that is cheap now! If I remember the Bry-O-Phonics would only last through a play, but maybe I am wrong.

I have also used needles through Edisonia, they are also good quality.

Most needles distributors products seem very good, and are reasonable in price. I am still looking to try Mike Childs and Walt Sommers needles! When I can afford it I will try out there needles.

I would like to find a needle that is very close or identical to the Victor needles, and since I do not want to disturb neighbors, I am finding the soft tone and medium tone work best for me.

[SteveM]

So while this topic is near the top again, I figure I'll try to gain a little clarity. Earlier, there was talk of a needle lasting "two, even three sides, before you begin to hear distortion." I don't understand this. Is that really ok to do? Wait until I begin to hear distortion? I've been alternating between Walt's needles and Chamberlains (mostly soft) and for one side only, all the time. Could I be saving more money (I go through hundreds a month)? Nothing much more valuable than, like, Bix red labels ... common Whitemans ... etc. I always examine my used needle, roll it between my thumb/forefinger in front of a light, and see the tip flash at me, then I'm done with it. How could I get a second play, even a third play, out of that needle?

[Lucius1958]

Considering the cost of an individual needle, as compared to the bulk prices, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard them after one play.

Bill

[De Soto Frank]

Considering the cost of an individual needle, as compared to the bulk prices, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard them after one play.

Bill

I would agree with this.


New needles are still being made.

As far as I know, new discs are not...

[Johnny Smoke]

I change needles after every play, after all , record degredation happens even with a new quality needle -it is just the nature of the beast. The only way to minimize this degredation is a new needle each play.
I use Chamberlin or Walts needles because I know they are well made, and will not harm my records. These 50+ year old ears cannot tell any difference in sound or quality anyhow! Rock on, Johnyy

[Victrolacollector]

I agree, I used to do more than one play, but they are so easy to get, just use one play and discard, you will notice less wear to your records.

[Kryptosmaster]

I'll usually reuse an old needle when I'm tossing the record. I run across damaged, cracked, etc records while going through a bulk purchase and I usually want to hear it once before I toss it out so I figure why waste a new needle on it.

[celticguitar666]

I do the one needle one record approach using medium needles from Walt they work well sound great but.... and I do listen to them reguarly with my Victrola here comes the caveat if I really (here come the heresy) want to hear the record nicely with very little wear I use my Garrard 78 TT setup with a diamond needle tracking around 3-4 grams. Probably alot of you here do the same? heresy I know but it does save the records over steel needles for daily regular play
Dwight

[Johnny Smoke]

I wonder how many plays one can get from a unused record using a new needle every time? Hundreds, at least. Regards, Johnyy

[billybob62]

Mica Monster,
A simple PM to you would sufficed to correct you rather than a public "taking you to task" as if you were a child. You have always been forthright as I see it.