Edison Cylinder Recorder Diamond Tip Missing? YOU decide

[Anonymous Collector]

Hello Gents,

Can any of the more astute amongst you determine this for me? is the tip on this cylinder recorder missing, or is that the way it is supposed to look?

[gramophoneshane]

That's how the recording stylus should look. It's basically just a hollow tube of glass.

[Uncle Vanya]

Your stylus appears to be perhaps a bit worn, but do not fear, it may be rotated 45 degrees to provide a fresh cutting surface! With care, a recording stylus can be so rotated three times, to provide the equivalent of four cutters.

I do not believe that Edison EVER used diamond for recording styli. Better styli were of sapphire, cheap styli were of glass.

[Anonymous Collector]

Thank you for the information, Gentlemen! I really appreciate it!