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Hey everybody,

I turned the soundbox chuck as far to the right as it would go and the needle now aligns with the tone arm which should be the correct position. Unfortunately, I'm still having the same problem with the needle not tracking and noticing circular marks on the Pathé record. I've heard that the sapphire ball tip needles are virtually indestructible. But it sounds like something is wrong with it (damaged) and I'm returning it back to the Netherlands and getting a refund (bought it via ebay). Thanks everyone for the photos and chiming in with advise. I appreciate it!! Does anyone know of where I can purchase the sapphire ball tip needle?

Tino's pics are wrong. Pull it OUT as far as it will go. Pathés need compliance, which you cannot get with a short tone-arm.

Edisone,

Do you mean to pull out the sapphire tip needle as far as it will go?

Thanks!

No, the tone arm itself can be pulled out, so the stylus point is near or beyond the spindle

apruizii wrote:Hey everybody,

I've heard that the sapphire ball tip needles are virtually indestructible.

Sapphire needles are not indestructible, actually they can be easily chipped just by playing a cracked record or letting it drop too hard on a disc. In your case the mark on the disc is an evidence of a damaged needle. If you bought it new then it is likely that it was a manufacturing problem. Another possibility is that the seller sold you a glass needle instead of sapphire - they are visually indistinguishable, but the glass needle is very fragile and wears out after a short run. It is up to the seller's reputation to sell the legitimate article, so caveat emptor.

The best way I've found to play my vertical Pathé records I've found was to level up my Sonora by putting more cups under the front legs.I can even play my rare center start Gene Greene.edisonplayer

Edisone wrote:Tino's pics are wrong. Pull it OUT as far as it will go. Pathés need compliance, which you cannot get with a short tone-arm.

the short tone arm is a optical ilusion my brunswick 105 works just fine and the needle is in the right point
so my pics are not wrong the needle just under an inch off center so perfectly ok (even a bit too long but within the margin)

so kiddie's observe before shouting wolf!

tino

apruizii wrote:Hey everybody,

I turned the soundbox chuck as far to the right as it would go and the needle now aligns with the tone arm which should be the correct position. Unfortunately, I'm still having the same problem with the needle not tracking and noticing circular marks on the Pathé record. I've heard that the sapphire ball tip needles are virtually indestructible. But it sounds like something is wrong with it (damaged) and I'm returning it back to the Netherlands and getting a refund (bought it via ebay). Thanks everyone for the photos and chiming in with advise. I appreciate it!! Does anyone know of where I can purchase the sapphire ball tip needle?

ps that needle isn't sapphire but glass they are made from a thin glass rod and i know the guy who makes them sometimes the tip is still too square and it wont track the trick is to heat the tip so it gets rounder and rounder but sometimes they are under heated resulting in a squarish tip most of them work fine you just had a bad one

tino (also from the netherlands)

tinovanderzwan wrote: so kiddie's observe before shouting wolf!

tino

umm, okay

CarlosV,

Thanks for the information about the sapphire tip needles. It makes sense now that the tip is probably chipped and is causing the tracking problem and circular marks on the record. Do you know of a reputable vendor that sells sapphire tip needles?