Vertical cut Vocalions

[WDC]

I recently got myself one of these beautiful Aeolian Vocalion vertical cut splatter records. Now, as I never had the chance to examine a period reproducer, I wonder what type of stylus was used to play these acoustically. The grooves are much narrower than those of a Pathé vertical cut disc. Has anyone possibly a photo to supply?

[gramophoneshane]

The holy grail of Vocalions. Nice score!
I've always thought they used a normal Pathé sapphire...but I've been wrong before

[estott]

Annoyingly I can't find mine to confirm, but I'm pretty certain that Vocalion vertical cut discs play with a steel needle.

[jnorman111]

(J.M.J.)
Some PARAMOUNT vertical cut records recommend a steel needle written on the record label. Most vertical cut records are played like the attached video of my Fox Phonograph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rTSjwFq5po

[WDC]

Thanks for all the comments, I also had a look at the video, very nice! I could imagine that at least some type of (blunt?) steel needle was used to play these. A Pathé sapphire would be likely too large for these narrow grooves. Electric playback on the turntable is fine with a regular 3 mil stylus at vertical mode.

[estott]

The needle wouldn't need to be blunt, there were vertical cut records made that used regular steel needles, Operaphone was the best known. I've played vertical Vocallions with a Pathé adaptor and a steel needle with good results.

[WDC]

That explains why these records are fairly noisy compared to sapphire types. The very same area would not only have to provide the sound but also wear the needle. Thanks for pointing it out. I can be pretty ignorant when it comes to discs.