Pfanstiehl phonograph needles

[Tpapp54321]

I have been looking for needles that can be used more than once and I know that sapphire and diamond tip needles are harmful. I have a couple "Tungs- Tone" needles but I came across these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCA-WIND-UPS-VI ... 51b21c7210

Do they work? Do they really last 12 plays? And has anybody tried them?

[Roaring20s]

If you love your records... one steel needle per play.

If you really love your records and want to use an acoustic player use Bamboo and Cactus needles!

James.

[Nat]

ditto on VV-X

"More than twelve plays"? And at what point does one know when it's enough?

Needles are cheap; change 'em after each play.

[howardpgh]

I seem to recall those needles were used with the later crystal cartridges like the ones made by Astatic. Of course these are much lighter than an acoustic soundbox.
I remember using an "Osmium" (?) tipped needle in a Webster-Chicago changer I had. It played a lot of records, but I don't know how many. I didn't have real HiFi stuff then, so I don't know when the deterioration began. (45 years ago at least)
What needle is used in those fancy Orthophonic/Radiola changers?

[Phono48]

I recently got hold of an unopened packet of Columbia "Chromium" needles that are supposed to play 60 sides each, and did a test. Using 6 very good condition quiet records (Charlie Kunz, since you ask) on an HMV 102 portable, I never got more than 20 sides from each one before they a) wore out, and b)visibly damaged the records, which was a blessing in disguise!
You have to bear in mind that at the time these needles were made there was no such thing as a Trade Descriptions Act, so the manufacturers were free to make whatever fantastic claims they wanted.
Having said that, I don't think these "multiplay" needles were designed to be used with acoustic machines. As has been mentioned, their primary use was intended to be with the then new-fangled "autochange" decks, that had much lighter arms, which would have been much kinder to both needles and records.

[briankeith]

Where can one purchase these Cactus needles new - or NOS ?? Did not see any on EBay, etc......