The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

These Bell needles looks so cool.
Wonder what they sound like. Do they improve the sound or is it just bells & whistles?

Here are my strangest needles, Ivory!

Never actually tried the bell needles...in part because they're a semi-permanent, and I figure they would probably just damage the records.

I have a few packs of the White Diamond needles...never actually opened a pack (always wanted to try them out...perhpas one of these days). Have you actually given them a go? I also have an open pack of Velvetone Whale Ivory needles (wife just grabbed the camera, so pictures will come some other time). They're basically the same shape as a bamboo fibre needle (but made of ivory). Another curiosity I intend to try out one of these days.

B.B.B wrote:

Zeppy wrote:OK...the needles on the right are the ones I mentioned (another needle that claimed to be the loudest on the market).

They were certainly louder than any straight up needle I've ever used. Wondering if anyone else has used these before. (the others are just a multitone needle).

Isn't that "Aegir" or however its spelled?
I've just seem them at eBay, and I remember that they also had a statement on the tin that they were the loudest needles around.
Thanks for posting!

edit;
Here we are, eBay Item #140201639141.
I did remember correctly!
The German text does say that they are uncompared when it comes to quality and loudness. Horrible price for an empty tin, IIRC there was a half full tin going for something like $20 a few weeks ago.

I've seen that type from a few different manufacturers. Here's another tin that carried the same type:

Zeppy wrote: I have a few packs of the White Diamond needles...never actually opened a pack (always wanted to try them out...perhpas one of these days). Have you actually given them a go? I also have an open pack of Velvetone Whale Ivory needles (wife just grabbed the camera, so pictures will come some other time). They're basically the same shape as a bamboo fibre needle (but made of ivory). Another curiosity I intend to try out one of these days.

Yes, I've tried them. They sound really good.
Comparable to a soft-tone, but sort of a more mellow, soft sound. Very pleasant.
Strangely they do make a bit more surface noise the usual steel needles.
But with the lid closed, they are perfect for some night-time playing of early electric N.O Jazz!

And while they may not be particularly unusual....my personal favorites:

Zeppy wrote:These are the "Condor" needles I mentioned (I have a German and a British tin). I've seen some that have the word "condor" actually stamped in the side of the needle...no idea what the fins are for. And actually, I've never used these before...perhaps I should, but I somehow doubt I'll be able to tell a difference

I think the fins are to cool the record to keep it from melting under the intense loudness produced.

More seriously I wonder if any of these odd shaped needles were anything more than marketing gimmicks. I could be wrong though. Zeppy, you seem to have a nice collection of these "diverse" needles. It would be great to post some literature on some of these brands which might argue their merits, should anyone have any.

Bruce

Valecnik wrote:

Zeppy wrote:These are the "Condor" needles I mentioned (I have a German and a British tin). I've seen some that have the word "condor" actually stamped in the side of the needle...no idea what the fins are for. And actually, I've never used these before...perhaps I should, but I somehow doubt I'll be able to tell a difference

I think the fins are to cool the record to keep it from melting under the intense loudness produced.

More seriously I wonder if any of these odd shaped needles were anything more than marketing gimmicks. I could be wrong though. Zeppy, you seem to have a nice collection of these "diverse" needles. It would be great to post some literature on some of these brands which might argue their merits, should anyone have any.

Bruce

Sadly, many don't come with any literature. I have something with the bell needles...I'll post that one of these days. Nothing came with the condor needles, so I have no idea what the deal is with those, and the spear tipped needles claim just to be multi-tone. Different tone depending on how you put them in the sound box (spade going in the direction of the groves should be soft, perpendicular should be loud, and pick an angle in between for anything else).

And we all know the joys of the fibre needles, so no need to figure those out (although I do have the instructions that came with those).

I'll have to see what else I have lying around