The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Where can one get the Carlisle needles?

Kindest Regards,

Jerry F Bacon-Dallas,Tx

I bought a large quantity of soft tone needles from zwarteschijf_holland in ebay, which he claims to be made in the UK. They are of good quality, and can safely play two sides of a 10-inch record. I am not aware of any factory producing gramophone needles in Europe, so I cannot confirm that these needles are indeed made in the UK or just imported to the UK from the US. The best needles in Europe were produced in Switzerland by Laubscher until quite recently - there is still stock for sale, I bought 10-box sets in Rüdesheim some time ago. These are gold-plated, sound great and cause less wear to the disc than any other needle I tried.

I do not use steel needles very frequently, only to play the modern or worn-out records that I cannot play with thorns.

MicaMonster wrote:I'll need to play each one, and then post pictures.

LEFT is Chamberlain. RIGHT is Bry-O-Phonic.

Who is making these in Europe? I've tried several, and I've had mixed feelings about them having too little nickel plating, or simply being Bry-O-Phonics sent across the pond, then BACK to the USA!

How do these needles compare to those sold by Walt Sommers at Gettysburg Antique Phonographs?
Which needles are the closest to NOS Victor needles?
Which needles produce the least wear to record surface?
Thanks for your reply.

A question I have had for many years. With flat style needles, such as the Siren offered by Chamberlain, is it the intent for the flat spot to be positioned in the horizontal or vertical position during play? Obviously, it will work either way. However, unless the flat is only added to be trendy and different, there must be an intended way in which the manufacturer suggests it be used. I'm guessing it would be louder with the flat horizontal and softer in the vertical position. Is that the intent, to be used for variable volume control depending on position? What say you learned ones of ancient recorded sound?

JerryVan wrote:A question I have had for many years. With flat style needles, such as the Siren offered by Chamberlain, is it the intent for the flat spot to be positioned in the horizontal or vertical position during play? Obviously, it will work either way. However, unless the flat is only added to be trendy and different, there must be an intended way in which the manufacturer suggests it be used. I'm guessing it would be louder with the flat horizontal and softer in the vertical position. Is that the intent, to be used for variable volume control depending on position? What say you learned ones of ancient recorded sound?

Yes, the intent is for variable volume control- you can find it described that way in period sources such as Sears catalogs, along with the usual piffle about sweetness and power of tone.

THANK YOU!!

schallplatte wrote "How do these needles compare to those sold by Walt Sommers at Gettysburg Antique Phonographs?"

About 3 years ago I bought a mess of needles from Walt Sommers and have been very satisfied with them. I would say they compare favorably to NOS Victor.

I recently bought some of Walts needles as well, as he was very scientific about them and provided excellent pictures of the tip geometry.

In any case, I am trying to get my digital camera adapted to a microscope so that I can show you how much better the Chamberlain needles are to records. They fit the groove better.

NOS Victor needles are to die for. The art-deco-rocketship curve to them gives a very accurate and sweet sound. I hate using original Victor needles when I find them, but.....Billy Murray records are worth the expense.

After NOS Victor needles, the best I've encountered are NOS Bagshaw Briliantone needles. They turn up fairly frequently on Ebay but it's hard to find anything but Extra Loud. The company is still in business, they still have the phonograph needle machinery, but you've got to order a huge amount of needles to get them to make a batch.

Can a 'forum group buy' be possible?

estott wrote:After NOS Victor needles, the best I've encountered are NOS Bagshaw Briliantone needles. They turn up fairly frequently on Ebay but it's hard to find anything but Extra Loud. The company is still in business, they still have the phonograph needle machinery, but you've got to order a huge amount of needles to get them to make a batch.