The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

startgroove wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 2:39 pm The subject of correct needles is a complex one. For your Standards, and your Victrolas and other machines, the easiest answer would be to use steel needles, once for each record. Never use a jewel tip needle that is made for a coin phonograph on any acoustically recorded disc, or any shellac disc. That will prematurely wear out the recording. If you wish to play rare electrically recorded discs, I would recommend using thorn or bamboo needles. Those are easiest on the record. Never play vinyl (unbreakable) records on an acoustic phonograph. They are too soft and will likely be destroyed with one playing, and some machines have a hard time playing them through.

There is so much to learn about this topic but thank you for your response. I will put those needles away and stick to my metal ones. Thank you.

A steel needle will do far more damage to record than a jewel tipped stylus.

Dave wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 7:43 pm A steel needle will do far more damage to record than a jewel tipped stylus.

That depends on the jewel tipped stylus. Edison and Pathé records are designed for jewel tipped styli. A jewel tipped stylus of the appropriate size in a modern cartridge tracking at about 3 grams will be fine, but an original reproducer in an acoustic phonograph is designed for steel (or fiber or cactus) needles, not for jewel styli.

Dave wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 7:43 pm A steel needle will do far more damage to record than a jewel tipped stylus.

Says who???

Shellac records were specifically made to play with steel needles - one use only. A steel needle is softer than the record grooves which contain an abrasive material designed to wear the steel tip to conform with the record grooves.

The only time a steel needle will damage a shellac record is if they are used more than once. The first use changes the shape of the needle point, each successive use makes them like chisels and that is what causes damage. Why is this simple truth being argued about?

Jewel tip styli are only meant for hill and dale or "vertically" recorded records. BUT, if you want to use a rusty nail or anything else to play your records and if you want to use them 4,000 times without changing them - be my guest...