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HisMastersVoice wrote:How interesting! These must have been manufactured by a 3rd party supplier and branded accordingly. I wonder what other brands are out there? I haven't tried mine yet, but the hole in the chuck looked awfully small and I was worried that normal thorn needles wouldn't fit.

It looks like both types will fit. I noticed in the Columbia instructions that you tighten the needle chuck thumbscrew rather than loosen it to put in a needle. Tightening the screw further will enlarge the opening enough to accommodate the larger-diameter thorns. Very nice design!
Bob

HisMastersVoice wrote: ....but the hole in the chuck looked awfully small and I was worried that normal thorn needles wouldn't fit.

The whole concept is slightly muddling (but clever) and I think depends upon the chuck being encased by new compliant rubber. It is likely that the original rubber is still present and pretty rock hard ! You may need to replace.............?

Ah, that makes sense. Having the instructions certainly helps, I don't think I would have ever tried over-tightening a thumb screw without instruction to do so! I think the rubber might be ok if its in the same shape as the stuff around the wheel, which is still somewhat supple. I'll have to give it a go later.

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys use for thorns---plant species, etc.? And do we know what original thorns were from?

I've tried using bamboo toothpicks (untreated, too soft) and honey locust tree thorns (better). The latter sound pretty good when starting out, but don't quite make it through a 10" side before the sound quality tanks.

Henry wrote:Just out of curiosity, what do you guys use for thorns---plant species, etc.? And do we know what original thorns were from?

I've tried using bamboo toothpicks (untreated, too soft) and honey locust tree thorns (better). The latter sound pretty good when starting out, but don't quite make it through a 10" side before the sound quality tanks.

I was lucky enough (or crazy enough) to stumble upon several lots of NOS cases of various brands of thorn needles. The majority are Decca cactus needles, but I also have B.C.N (Burmese Colour Needles), Kacti, and couple other brands in smaller quantities. I'll post a photo of the different types later today. I believe they are all made from some unknown species of cactus, treated with unknown chemicals. I'm not sure what the B.C.N. needles are made from, but they look different than the other cactus needles. One source mentions steatite (soapstone?) but that seems odd and unlikely.

Yes, I wish I had some cactus handy to pluck a few bristles from! Every year that I attend the Philadelphia Flower Show, I'm tempted to collect a few from the specimens on exhibit, but I'm just not larcenous enough to bring it off. I once had a colleague who grew cacti for a hobby, but unfortunately he passed before I could put the touch on him.

Regarding Burmese thorns, you may like to refer back to an earlier thread ? These thorns come from bushes which are now extinct I am told.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 11&t=12597

Here are some of the thorn needles in my collection, I thought I had some more oddball brands but I can't seem to recall where I stashed them...

HisMastersVoice wrote:How interesting! These must have been manufactured by a 3rd party supplier and branded accordingly. I wonder what other brands are out there? I haven't tried mine yet, but the hole in the chuck looked awfully small and I was worried that normal thorn needles wouldn't fit.

in europe hmv and columbia where both owned by E.M.I. by this time so its logical the items are identical

Here is another for sale:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-HMV-gramoph ... 20ed957604