What should I know before installing an electric tonearm on my gramophone?

[OddRomanian]

I was thinking of replacing my normal, acoustic gramophone with one of those elctric tonearms /soundboxes that still use steel needles.

But I know nothing about them and I wanted to know:

- Are these pieces usually suitable to start using directly or they need rewiring, restoration...? And if not, how do you check these are in working order with just photographs?

- How do you connect one of these? Do you directly connect them to a powerplug? Replace the plug with a modern one? And how do you connect them to a modern amplifier?

Any other information a newbie should know is greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I wanted to replace my normal tonearm / soundbox because I was unable to resolbe the black dust problem and I want to preserve my records.

Thanks in advance!

[JerryVan]

I was thinking of replacing my normal, acoustic gramophone with one of those electric tonearms /soundboxes that still use steel needles.

We'll see what others have to say, but I would bet that such a tonearm, with a steel needle, would have every bit the same chance of making black dust. They are at least as heavy, and still use steel needles.

Really, anyone who's paramount concern is record preservation, should probably stay away from steel needles, heavy reproducers and acoustic phonographs. Modern turntables will most likely be the least wearing on any 78 record. Others may disagree.

[OddRomanian]

I was thinking of replacing my normal, acoustic gramophone with one of those electric tonearms /soundboxes that still use steel needles.

We'll see what others have to say, but I would bet that such a tonearm, with a steel needle, would have every bit the same chance of making black dust. They are at least as heavy, and still use steel needles.

Really, anyone who's paramount concern is record preservation, should probably stay away from steel needles, heavy reproducers and acoustic phonographs. Modern turntables will most likely be the least wearing on any 78 record. Others may disagree.

Oh, if they are as heavy then I am certainly staying away

Thank you!

What about fibre needles for stopping excessive record wear?

[CarlosV]

What about fibre needles for stopping excessive record wear?

In my experience, the fiber needles are the best - both in sound reproduction and to minimize record wear. There are limitations to their use, however: some records are not compatible with them, mainly the ones made from the 40s onwards with a softer shellac mix, and some older records made in the USA and called dime-store records. The thorns also require records that are in relatively good condition to play until the end of the side: if the record is worn, it causes excessive wear to the thorn point and it will not play through the side. The other limitation is that thorns are more sensitive to flaws in the soundbox and arm, like misalignments, low compliance etc, and these will make them wear faster and fail before the end of the side.

[CarlosV]

Oh, and I wanted to replace my normal tonearm / soundbox because I was unable to resolbe the black dust problem and I want to preserve my records.

An electric tonearm is not the solution to reduce record wear, in particular those from the late 20s - early 30s that utilize steel needles. They are extremely heavy and actually cause more damage to records than the acoustic reproducers. The ones made in the 40s that utilize jewel stylii are lighter and less prone to destroy records, but all will need restoration, like rewinding of the bobbins and replacement of the internal rubber parts that are likely to be perished - a specialized and costly restoration. You would be better off with a modern turntable.

[OddRomanian]

Oh, and I wanted to replace my normal tonearm / soundbox because I was unable to resolbe the black dust problem and I want to preserve my records.

An electric tonearm is not the solution to reduce record wear, in particular those from the late 20s - early 30s that utilize steel needles. They are extremely heavy and actually cause more damage to records than the acoustic reproducers. The ones made in the 40s that utilize jewel stylii are lighter and less prone to destroy records, but all will need restoration, like rewinding of the bobbins and replacement of the internal rubber parts that are likely to be perished - a specialized and costly restoration. You would be better off with a modern turntable.

Got It!

Thank you!

[OddRomanian]

What about fibre needles for stopping excessive record wear?

In my experience, the fiber needles are the best - both in sound reproduction and to minimize record wear. There are limitations to their use, however: some records are not compatible with them, mainly the ones made from the 40s onwards with a softer shellac mix, and some older records made in the USA and called dime-store records. The thorns also require records that are in relatively good condition to play until the end of the side: if the record is worn, it causes excessive wear to the thorn point and it will not play through the side. The other limitation is that thorns are more sensitive to flaws in the soundbox and arm, like misalignments, low compliance etc, and these will make them wear faster and fail before the end of the side.

So, If I want to also play worn records, is the best alternative for an acoustic machine good steel needles and a restored, complaint soundbox to preserve records?

Thank you!

[CarlosV]

So, If I want to also play worn records, is the best alternative for an acoustic machine good steel needles and a restored, complaint soundbox to preserve records?

Thank you!

Yes, this is what I utilize to play worn records - good quality steel needles and a compliant arm/soundbox. My choice for the needles is a Swiss brand - Laubscher. They produced many different types of needles up until quite recently, through the seventies or eighties, so every now and then you can find NOS of their needles in sealed boxes. I bought some boxes of these some years ago, and since I do not utilize them frequently, the stock will probably outlast me. For newly made ones, I bought once needles from a Dutch dealer, [ebay]https://www.ebay.fr/sch/zwarteschijf_ho ... 492.l71970[/ebay]. The needles were of good quality.

[Curt A]

Another "trick" for playing worn records is to clean them with WD-40. It removes dirt and grease and lubricates the grooves, also reviving the greyed out, worn shellac.

[OddRomanian]

Another "trick" for playing worn records is to clean them with WD-40. It removes dirt and grease and lubricates the grooves, also reviving the greyed out, worn shellac.

Thank you!