Anyone else notice this?

[Thatphonographguy]

Has anyone else noticed how AWFUL steel needle quality has gotten? I used to buy needles exclusively from Walt Somers a long time ago, they were good every single time. I hadn't bought any in a couple years. Thought I'd try out some Chamberlain loud tones this time. Absolutely garbage. Well over half of the 1000 I bought are unsharpened garbage. And the other half are hit and miss as to whether they will sit in the groove fully, so they sound like trash. Another year goes by, with being busy, I haven't used many needles. Plus I get tired of having to hold up every single needle to check if it's worth using. So in an efforts to stop this nonsense, I go back and order some loud tones from Walt Somers. And these needles, too, have gone down the drain quality wise. It seems like every other needle is too blunt and won't sit in the groove, more and more duds all the time. And the sad part is that Walt claims to "produce needles to the exacting standards of The Victor Talking Machine Company." Maybe they used to be, but no longer. I've been collecting phonographs since I was 10. And needles are getting awful quality wise. Anyone else notice this crap? Aggravating........

[Inigo]

We in Europe usually buy needles from colleague soundgen, and these are prime quality. Others too, as zwarte schifj, etc.
I don't know in the US except from Kurt Nauck, www.78rpm.com, also prime quality, NOS and the like.

[poodling around]

Has anyone else noticed how AWFUL steel needle quality has gotten? I used to buy needles exclusively from Walt Somers a long time ago, they were good every single time. I hadn't bought any in a couple years. Thought I'd try out some Chamberlain loud tones this time. Absolutely garbage. Well over half of the 1000 I bought are unsharpened garbage. And the other half are hit and miss as to whether they will sit in the groove fully, so they sound like trash. Another year goes by, with being busy, I haven't used many needles. Plus I get tired of having to hold up every single needle to check if it's worth using. So in an efforts to stop this nonsense, I go back and order some loud tones from Walt Somers. And these needles, too, have gone down the drain quality wise. It seems like every other needle is too blunt and won't sit in the groove, more and more duds all the time. And the sad part is that Walt claims to "produce needles to the exacting standards of The Victor Talking Machine Company." Maybe they used to be, but no longer. I've been collecting phonographs since I was 10. And needles are getting awful quality wise. Anyone else notice this crap? Aggravating........

I know this isn't every-one's idea of good practice but I now always use 'new old stock'. (Until I start making and using my own bamboo needles again).

I prefer needles which were made 'back in the day' and are authentic.

They never fail to please me and I have a large amount of these to 'keep me going'.

[Thatphonographguy]

Ditto on the originals idea. I took have thought about this but the cost seems prohibitive around here. Perhaps I'm not looking hard enough.

[Marc Hildebrant]

Isn't the 78-steel needle supposed to wear into the record groove? It would seem that the initial shape isn't that important, or am I missing something?

Marc

[JerryVan]

Isn't the 78-steel needle supposed to wear into the record groove? It would seem that the initial shape isn't that important, or am I missing something?

Marc

I think it has to be at least close enough to enter the groove in the first place. The groove can only do so much.

[PeteLeoni]

For what's its worth, I have been trying to perfect the rebuilding and sound of several#2 reproducers doing some critical listening (as critical as one can on a Victrola anyway)
I have been using Walt Sommers soft and loud needles (no mediums) probably been through a couple of hundred in the last few weeks, had to re-order from him.I have noted no problem with the needles (Walt's) at all when used one needle per song. It literally is my job to mix and master records all my life I am pretty sure the soft and loud needles have no issues at least the ones I have been getting so far.
Pete

[Thatphonographguy]

All I use is loud tone. I'm using records in good condition. Every other needle is too dull to set into the groove and produces awful sound, as if the needle is worn out, but they are brand new. When I take the needle out of the chuck to look at it, it is clearly too blunt to sit fully into the groove in the first place, and sounds AWFUL. Some are good, many are bad. I used to buy ONLY Walts needles. And had absolutely no issues, save for a few duds here and there. Now half are trash. Yes, the needles wears INTO the groove. But if the needle won't sit far enough into the groove to produce the sound expected of a new needle in the first place, something is wrong. I know what a new needle sounds like, this isn't it. I could play a Brunswick in Beautiful condition with one new needle, it sounds like garbage. Change the needle that's already brand new, it sounds fine. I haven't the slightest idea what's going on these days. Was just wondering if anyone else was having this problem. I fail to see how I could possibly be the only one.

[PeteLeoni]

I should have said I have had no issues with Walt's needles when I inserted the sharp side out, (-: Bwhaaaahaaaa

[Thatphonographguy]

Lol. But seriously. After examining original Victor needles next to Walts, the difference is night and day. Even used ones have a sharper tip than the new steel needles from both manufacturers aforementioned. A shame really.......... If we can't even get good needles from US manufacturers that do not cause horrendous distortion despite being brand new, we are headed in the wrong direction. I'll be looking for more NOS stuff from now on I guess.