New Tungs Tone type needles - anyone tried them?

[TonyJ]

Spotted these on the bay this morning and looks to be newly manufactured needles - has anyone here tried them? Curious if they are worth getting a set...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-NEW-TUNGSTEN ... SwKoRZZnah

[OrthoSean]

Years ago, there was a guy in, I believe, Texas that was manufacturing and selling "new" Tungsten tipped needles similar to these. I grabbed some to try out and while they do function and play, the shafts were hollow so there was a sort of shallow, almost ringing sound when playing. Needless to say, I put them away as a curiosity and use regular old stock Victors, which to me are far superior. Who knows with these, maybe someone else here has tried them.

Sean

[EarlH]

I've bought a few lots from him, and my 10-70 is very happy with them. I've only gone through 2 needles and part way through the third. The first two needles played around 150-175 sides before they were wore out. The records were all clean, but in average condition. He said they are very tedious to make, and I am sure they are. You're Driving Me Crazy, et. 10-70 Electrola. Is the video on youtube I made of that 10-70 using one of those needles as he was kind of curious about how they would hold up on such an instrument. I have to say that I'm very happy with them, and they are solid and I think he said the shank was steel. He tried brass, but it didn't do a very good job of transferring the sound. I did play a worn record first to break in the tip and didn't remove it until after it was wore out. Hope that helps. I haven't used them on a regular Victrola as it's not a bother to change needles there I guess.

[TonyJ]

Thanks for the feedback - I just bought a 4 pack and going to try them out

[Orchorsol]

I tried them and found them OK, not quite as fulsome a sound as conventional needles but then I'm very fussy. Also I found them very easy to bend (which the seller does warn clearly about). I imagine tungsten is likely to wear records more, especially when the tip accommodates slightly different groove shapes from one record type to another, and I sometimes hear that said about the original Tungstone/Tungstyle needles. All told, I have respect for the maker and it was an interesting exercise trying them for myself, but I won't continue to use them.

[Nat]

I've tried them, and liked them so much I ordered two more batches. The sound is quite good, though I do still use steel needles for absolute best sound/volume, though the verdict is still out: there is really very little difference in sound quality. Moreover, these are perfect for portables, where I don't want the inevitable loose needles rolling around, and I use them as well in my "demo" machines, where someone might not know to change needles. I'm impressed and very pleased.

[OrthoSean]

So, to those of you who have tried these, how do they compare to an original Tungstone or even an Everplay? Any noticeable differences?

Sean

[VintageTechnologies]

Years ago I was attracted by the idea of playing many records with a semi-permanent needle. The Tungstone needles did not sound as good as steel needles in my opinion. I understand the tungsten needles may also wear records quicker than steel. I once measured the wire, with an idea of making my own. The wire miked at .0055 inch. I could not find tungsten wire of that exact thickness, but guess that .006 would work. I made a few mock-ups using brass tubing, but never figured out how to machine tiny steel shanks as this fellow has done. Impressive job, bul I'll stick with steel needles.

[Nat]

[quote="OrthoSean"]So, to those of you who have tried these, how do they compare to an original Tungstone or even an Everplay? Any noticeable differences?

I've tried a number of originals, and I can't hear any difference.

[EarlH]

For tone as compared to original tungs tone needles, at least on the 10-70, I can't tell any difference, but they might be different on an acoustic machine. I really just wanted them for that automatic Victrola and haven't really tried them on anything else. I did use an Everplay needle for awhile on my Panatrope, but those things don't always want to feed the wire out through the opening and it can really be a challenge to get those things to advance the wire like they advertise. I do think the tungs tone needles do sound better than the Everplay needles do. At least on the electric machines.