OC/DC Needles?

Discussions on Talking Machines of British or European Manufacture
Lah Ca
Victor IV
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:22 pm

OC/DC Needles?

Post by Lah Ca »

Has anyone had any experience with OC/DC needles?

If yes, what are they like?

I am often tempted by their whimsical needle tins.
2023-07-11 20.26.59 i.ebayimg.com b1100d3f88b5.jpg
https://luke2470.wixsite.com/website/shop

User avatar
epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 5624
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:21 pm
Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by epigramophone »

At GBP£14.99 for 100 needles, albeit in a fancy tin, I will not be trying them. Look closely at the image on the tin. Either it is the wrong way round or the gramophone is designed for left hand winding :? . I will stick to unused old stock from HMV et al, or those supplied by fellow member Soundgen.

User avatar
Inigo
Victor Monarch
Posts: 4416
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:51 am
Personal Text: Keep'em well oiled
Location: Madrid, Spain
Contact:

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by Inigo »

Soundgen needles are very good quality and much cheaper, especially if you buy them in bulk (5000 or 10000) which have additional discount. I use the soft tone mostly, and they sound very beautiful
Inigo

Lah Ca
Victor IV
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:22 pm

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by Lah Ca »

epigramophone wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 1:20 pm At GBP£14.99 for 100 needles, albeit in a fancy tin, I will not be trying them. Look closely at the image on the tin. Either it is the wrong way round or the gramophone is designed for left hand winding :? . I will stick to unused old stock from HMV et al, or those supplied by fellow member Soundgen.
Thank you for the reply.

Yes, the graphic artist has referenced the classic HMV Nipper image, with its left/right orientation of talking machine and dog, but without paying close attention to the structure of the HMV machine, the arm and horn, and has thus inadvertently created an improbable and highly dubious southpaw generic sort of machine. The image probably looked better to the general public with the crank visible. And perhaps it was legally advisable not to copy the HMV, now RCA Victor, logo too closely.

I, too, use vintage needles and have a sizeable bulk stock of them. It could be wishful thinking on my part, but I do feel that they sound better--different steel alloys, different carbon content, different resonance? Don't know. The do sound great, though.

I also use and highly recommend the needles offered by member, Soundgen. I have culled through them extensively and have yet to find a single defective one with a malformed tip. Excellent needles. Great, prompt service.

Yes, the OC/DC needles are very expensive, But I have paid more on occasion for interesting vintage needle tins, most partially full with a hazardous mix of unused and used needles.

I still find the tins slightly enticing. LOL

JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6312
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
Location: Southeast MI

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by JerryVan »

Lah Ca wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 1:46 pm And perhaps it was legally advisable not to copy the HMV, now RCA Victor, logo too closely.

Since they used an image of a Columbia BI Serling I'd say they're safe.

Lah Ca
Victor IV
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:22 pm

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by Lah Ca »

JerryVan wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 5:54 pm
Lah Ca wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 1:46 pm And perhaps it was legally advisable not to copy the HMV, now RCA Victor, logo too closely.

Since they used an image of a Columbia BI Serling I'd say they're safe.
:lol:

As safe as they are from Angus Young and Co. -- dirty deeds done dirty cheap.

Oedipus
Victor II
Posts: 338
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:59 am

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by Oedipus »

In the UK, the HMV trade mark still belongs to HMV -- even though that is the name of a chain of record shops rather than a company making gramophones.

Lah Ca
Victor IV
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:22 pm

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by Lah Ca »

My son tried to order some for me as a present. They took payment at their EBay shop but never shipped. He had to apply to EBay for a refund.

JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6312
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
Location: Southeast MI

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by JerryVan »

Lah Ca wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 2:03 pm My son tried to order some for me as a present. They took payment at their EBay shop but never shipped. He had to apply to EBay for a refund.
Dirty deeds...

User avatar
Orchorsol
Victor IV
Posts: 1748
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:03 am
Location: Dover, UK
Contact:

Re: OC/DC Needles?

Post by Orchorsol »

Ludicrously expensive. And when you click on the link (in the original post in this thread) the picture/logo is of A CRAPOPHONE the wrong way round!
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?

Post Reply