The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Valecnik wrote:Very strange and very concerning. The pictures don't lie.

I've got three DD reproducers with replacement styli, two of which came from Expert. The third looks like it came from Expert but I'm not sure. I got the reproducer, diaphragm and stylus installed by Bob Waltrip. Picked it up on someones table. It has "Waltrip 1993" written on a piece of tape on the bottom. I use them regularly, often experimenting to compare the difference in sound between new and original diaphragms. I've played hundreds of records and never experienced anything like you are dealing with.

I've also got multiple Diamond A's and B's with reproduction styli from Expert and have not experienced any problem with those either I watch for these problems every time I play a record. There is no dust being created and never seen any lines on the records.

The issues are seemingly only with the disc stylus for some reason.

Larry

A bit of history here. When I experienced these problems with the first four stylus I wrote Expert and eventually spent 45 minutes one afternoon on the phone after the owner called me about the problem. He basically endlessly went over the fact that they are made to factory specs which they were able to detail at the edison museum. (although they did change the width of the stylus to ride the grooves more and hold the stylus point a bit to take pressure off the lower groove).. He acknowledged some kind of issue that had been resolved at one point. What I was most distressed about what that he contended with out change that the original stylus would have never been able to traverse the record without leaving lines in the surface due to the extreme weight the reproducer puts on the stylus. The fact that many original diamonds are still running though records and you can't tell they ever were there he rejected. I told him that many of my records showed no type of lines in the run off till I used the new stylus on them. He said basically I was in error and refused to change his thoughts on that matter. That was enough to make me think something was very odd about how they were looking at the whole issue.

Larry

I am a bit nervous about discussing this issue here. I want to make clear I have no ill will about the company that makes the stylus. What I do wish to do is have people aware before it is too late that its a possibility that a new stylus may need close attention to be sure its still working properly.. If the problem is on the manufacturing end ( and I have several sources with the same results) then I would hope that discussing it would give them a reason to attempt to figure out where the issue is.. I am most devoted to having the best possible sound from Edison machines and I know well that faulty old stylus are a big deterrent. So a very reliable new source is badly needed. I just seem to be jinxed for some reason in my quest for that.

Larry

I have a report now that another party who received a recent new stylus from probably this batch is seeing damage after a few plays..

Larry

I have a report now that another party who received a recent new stylus from probably this batch is seeing damage after a few plays..

Larry

larryh wrote:I have a report now that another party who received a recent new stylus from probably this batch is seeing damage after a few plays..

Larry

Yes, me. I was going to chime in shortly. Mine so far is selective, it's not on every disc, just certain ones. I have no idea why, but long story short, I'm returning it and hopefully this can be straightened out. I'm just a frustrated as you are Larry, this isn't the first defective stylus from Expert I've gotten, in fact, it's likely the 5th or 6th one. They aren't cheap!

Sean

I can't remember all the details because the conversation was a few years ago, but Peter Wall of San Francisco told me that he used to do the final 'polishing' on DD styli for someone who manufactured them -- I don't recall who it was, but I think they were produced in the US. It wasn't Expert I'm almost certain. I believe he told me that he would play worn records with the new styli and after several plays the tip would burnish itself to fit the groove walls. If anyone knows Peter, maybe they could call him and get his opinion.

John,

Would they though be leaving obvious lines in the run off?

Larry

We now do have the third party that may have gotten stylus from the same batch and he is reporting a faulty stylus leaving lines in the run off. My guess is with careful looking he will also see the slow damage to the groves. ( or not so slow).. Under a microscope its showing a missing bits an perhaps cracks in the stylus.

Larry

This is all definitely concerning. I'm not sure if this would make a difference at all but I recall hearing or reading at some point that the new stylus bars Expert provide are a bit longer than the originals. Again, this may not make much of a difference in wear if any at all. But in theory, it would change the leverage of the stylus bar as it pivots with the vibrations. A longer stylus bar would flex the diaphragm more than a shorter bar. If the diaphragm isn't able to flex far enough, it could in turn cause the stylus to "plow" through the undulations in the grooves rather than ride on top of them. Like I said, the longer new bars may not be a problem at all, but I thought I would mention it to see what others think.