The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I can, but I can’t do it right now. Sorry, I’m not trying to be negative in any way here, please know that.
Respectfully submitted

Is it the "hardness" of the celluloid that damages the sapphire stylus,
or is it the dirt and grime on the surface of the celluloid that destroys the sapphire stylus?

I have recorded over 500 celluloid cylinders for YouTube, with Edison "C" and "O" reproducers as well as Columbia 2 min. sapphire reproducers and have not detected any wear of the stylus as viewed under a loop. After I clean my celluloid cylinders, I give them a lite wipe with Pledge furniture polish. Possibly this acts as a lubricant to protect the stylus.

The only sapphire wear I have detected on my stylus, is when I used a Model "H" reproducer to play Blue Amberols.
I also detected sapphire wear on my Columbia "BC" stylus when playing celluloid records, but I attribute it to the Higham reproducer bearing down on the record.

Bob S.

To Gramophoneshane and others, once again, submitted with the upmost respect to fellow enthusiasts, I have and have played tons of celluloid cylinders and wax combined with no issues to be seen or heard for decades. However, the reproducers I speak of have been meticulously inspected, cleaned and repaired where necessary to make them as compliant as possible to original like new specs, and are regularly checked.
Perhaps there are other underlying issues with the machines being used are adding a wear factor not being accounted for. I don’t know when not presented with the machine being used.

Without a doubt, as Gramophoneshane has stated, the sapphire stylus was not designed for celluloid. It does work very well though. I have an Edison O on an Idelia that will outperform most Diamond models. On a side note, I can show you a diamond B stylus Paul Baker showed me last week that had grooves in it from beyond excessive wear! I’ve never seen one that bad! It was incredible to see.
These machines were all played to death back then and I’m sure no one concerned themselves or worried about playing celluloid cylinders with their sapphire equipped machines.
They also didn’t concern themselves with preventative maintenance either. I believe this is what contributes to significant wear. Yes, styluses wear out, absolutely.
When Gramophoneshane said that he noticed significant wear after only a few dozen plays, I cannot help but think there’s other factors contributing here that may not be known. That’s really fast wear.

Very precious knowledge from all of you. Thank you!

Once my friend Arthur Pare showed me the Model H that his grandparents had.The stylus was really worn from them playing their Blue Amberols with it.edisonplayer.