What type of records can I play on my vv-111

[geedub]

The reason I ask this is that the needle that came with the victrola was made of steel - it seems like it would eat up records. That being said - is there a type of needle I should be ordering. I briefly tested my vic on a modern day 45 and other than wrong speed the victrola seemed to output nicely.

Thanks

[Wolfe]

You should play pre-1935 (ish) shellac 78's on your Victrola. No 33's 45's or vinyl 78's, steel will eat those.

Otherwise, steel you should use, or thorn, fibre (soft) needles. No jewel tips or anything claiming to be permanent or semi-permanent.

Change the steel needle with every record side (or two at the most) or the tip will turn into a scraping tool and damage your records.

[Henry]

What Wolfe said, except I play pre- *and* post-1935 "shellac" 78s (but not, of course, the late vinyls) on my VV-XI, essentially similar to your VV-111. You can read both sides of this debate on the forum, then decide for yourself. I have seen no evidence of wear on any of my 78s. YRMV!

[beaumonde]

Henry, have you ever listened to those post-1930 records on a modern turntable with high-quality pick-up?

[geedub]

Do you have options on using a steel needle or other types? Is my machine made only for the steel needles?

Also I am missing the screw that tightens down the needle - any recombination on where to find the right one?

[beaumonde]

If you are missing the thumb screw, then undoubtably your reproducer is ready for a complete rebuild with new gaskets (and possibly new mica). George Vollema of Great Lakes Antique Phonograph (amongst several other phono specialists routinely recommended) would undoubtably be able to rebuild it for you and I'm sure has the parts (including thumbscrew). You can use steel needles, Tungs-tone, and possibly fiber needles (if yours has the triangular needle holder), also cactus is a possibility. Myself, I prefer steel (generally medium tone). Avoid later semi-permanent needles (such as chromium needles), as these were designed for a lighter, electric pick-up.

[Henry]

Henry, have you ever listened to those post-1930 records on a modern turntable with high-quality pick-up?

Nope.

[beaumonde]

All I'm saying is that you might be surprised how much wear there actually is if you were to play these back with a modern pick-up. Also how much more sound there is in the grooves, in any case, than you can possibly hear with even an Orthophonic sound box (let alone an Exhibition). Just my personal experience playing all sorts of acoustic and electric 78s on both vintage machines and on modern equipment.