Ball point tip use as sapphire needles

[James]

Since the 70's I am using ball pen tip to play Pathé records, though I have original sapphires.. I choose the smallest diameter tip. Take all the ink, and if it is short, extent it with a soft tone needle to the hallow centre and trim it to the desired length. Insert it will so it wouldn't come off. It work nicely, and I do not notice any record wear

Jim

[HisMastersVoice]

Why not use a sapphire if you have them available?

[edisonplayer]

Yes,I've heard about using ball point tips to play Pathé'sapphire ball discs.My friend Arthur Par'e used to do this when he'd play them on his Kimball console phonograph.One time he played a Pathé using a sapphire ball and it disintegrated.So,it's good to use ball points on some records.edisonplayer

[HisMastersVoice]

Yes,I've heard about using ball point tips to play Pathé'sapphire ball discs.My friend Arthur Par'e used to do this when he'd play them on his Kimball console phonograph.One time he played a Pathé using a sapphire ball and it disintegrated.So,it's good to use ball points on some records.edisonplayer

If the sapphire destroyed the record, then the sapphire was probably damaged. I would never play any of my Pathé records with a ballpoint pen, personally. They were made to be played with a sapphire, why take the chance?

[James]

Yes,I've heard about using ball point tips to play Pathé'sapphire ball discs.My friend Arthur Par'e used to do this when he'd play them on his Kimball console phonograph.One time he played a Pathé using a sapphire ball and it disintegrated.So,it's good to use ball points on some records.edisonplayer

If the sapphire destroyed the record, then the sapphire was probably damaged. I would never play any of my Pathé records with a ballpoint pen, personally. They were made to be played with a sapphire, why take the chance?

So do not use it.I do not advocate or telling people to use ball point pen, I had been using it since 1970, my experience I did not encounter any problem. If you are doubtful don't use it. My two cents.

[OrthoSean]

Years ago, before the internet days, a collector I knew mentioned this to me and at the time I didn't have any sapphires but I had a pile of Pathés I really wanted to hear. I tired many different point sizes and made sure there was no ink left in them. I must have made 20 different ones trying different things and every single one of them left visible damage on the record the first time it was used. I seriously would not try doing this if you value your records when for less than $40 these days you can buy a nice correct sapphire point.

Sean

[Torjazzer]

Years ago, before the internet days, a collector I knew mentioned this to me and at the time I didn't have any sapphires but I had a pile of Pathés I really wanted to hear. I tired many different point sizes and made sure there was no ink left in them. I must have made 20 different ones trying different things and every single one of them left visible damage on the record the first time it was used. I seriously would not try doing this if you value your records when for less than $40 these days you can buy a nice correct sapphire point.

Sean

Can you recommend a good source of sapphire styli? I'm doing a rebuild on a Pathé reproducer and have decided that the original stylus has to go.

[OrthoSean]

Ron Sitko did have them for about $30 each, I'd check with him first 518-371-8549. I bought a few of them and they're very nice!

Sean

[Torjazzer]

Ron Sitko did have them for about $30 each, I'd check with him first 518-371-8549. I bought a few of them and they're very nice!

Sean

Many thanks, Sean.