Those 'Top Hat' IM Thorn Needles ....

[poodling around]

I notice that they state that they 'suit autograms'.

I wonder what 'autograms' actually are ?

Does any-one know by any chance ?

(Image below taken from ebay listing: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305159413505 ... R4CHwcHZYg

[Zkeener323]

Meaning record changers. Fiber needles can often be used multiple time before needing to be resharpened.

[Orchorsol]

IMs are much the same as BCNs except most are thinner, and sometimes the shanks were coated, I believe with a wash of shellac.

It's supposition, but I believe the same "cottage industry" workshop was making both BCNs and IMs at the end of production. Ken Erwood was involved at the time the IM needle making workshop closed, and he took over all the stock and machinery, which I now have and use (all except for the stock of newly finished thorn needles that may have existed at the time).

BCN offered thorn needles in a variety of types including for electrical pickups and autochangers. I have many examples and have never found any real functional difference between the types!

[poodling around]

Meaning record changers. Fiber needles can often be used multiple time before needing to be resharpened.

Thanks Zkeener !

I am unsure as to what 'Record Changers' are to be honest but guess they are like Juke Boxes or machines which can play more than one record at a time ?

Probably electric then ?

[poodling around]

IMs are much the same as BCNs except most are thinner, and sometimes the shanks were coated, I believe with a wash of shellac.

It's supposition, but I believe the same "cottage industry" workshop was making both BCNs and IMs at the end of production. Ken Erwood was involved at the time the IM needle making workshop closed, and he took over all the stock and machinery, which I now have and use (all except for the stock of newly finished thorn needles that may have existed at the time).

BCN offered thorn needles in a variety of types including for electrical pickups and autochangers. I have many examples and have never found any real functional difference between the types!

Very interesting ! Thanks Orchorsol.

[tim w]

May I suggest that autograms are referring to home recordings or vending machine recordings that have a softer surface neccessitating thorn use.

[poodling around]

May I suggest that autograms are referring to home recordings or vending machine recordings that have a softer surface neccessitating thorn use.

Very interesting.

I can see that this might have been the case. They would probably work very well with these kind of recordings. Steel needles were 'prohibited' so perhaps you are correct.