Quality comparison of NEW steel needles

[estott]

Can a 'forum group buy' be possible?

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.

I really don't know the specifics- I'm just going on second hand information. Their webpage does not mention phonograph needles but I have no doubt they could turn them out. http://www.whbagshaw.com/home/

[tomwil]

Can a 'forum group buy' be possible?

This has been tried before, with no success:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=9&t=7402

[VictrolaGuy - Walt]

I recently bought some of Walts needles as well, as he seemed very scientific about them being as perfect as you can expect...............needles arrived and match the quality and finish of the Bry-O needles. If it looks like a duck, smells like a duck, and quacks like a duck......

It is not my intention to embarrass Wyatt Markus; nevertheless a rebuke of his actions is necessary to help others understand his errors and to correct the disinformation he is propagating about several people and their products (in the US and in the UK).

Wyatt Markus claims that there are "only TWO genuine manufacturers" [in the US] that he is aware of. When he finally does reveal what he claims to be these "TWO genuine manufacturers" he shows that he hasn't done his homework because neither of them are, in fact, manufacturers of phonograph needles. They are merely fictitious brand names. They are not manufacturers, they are not corporations (LLCs or otherwise), and they are not (as of the writing of this reply) registered trademarks.

For Wyatt Markus to author a topic about [the] quality [of new steel needles] and not even take the first steps of conducting actual research undermines the very concept of what quality is.

I am confident that the people (I will just call them John and Bryan) who sell the products using the two fictitious brand names that Wyatt Markus has mentioned have invested significant resources into the relationships they have with the actual manufacturers of their products. Walt Sommers does conduct genuine research, and through that research has learned the legal names of several manufacturing sources (at least four in the United States as of October 2011) that supply phonograph needles to various markets. Regarding the needles that are being sold under the two aforementioned fictitious brand names, Wyatt Markus would have done well to actually speak to the men who market them and ask them who manufactures their products. Anticipating that they would probably not answer such a question concerning their business affairs, Wyatt Markus could have, but did not, conduct legitimate research.

[phonojim]

My questions regarding steel needles include 1) Does anyone today make a needle that is a good copy of the old Victor medium tone needle, 2) Are they readily available, 3) where do I get them (specifics, please).

Thanks, Jim

[OrthoSean]

My questions regarding steel needles include 1) Does anyone today make a needle that is a good copy of the old Victor medium tone needle, 2) Are they readily available, 3) where do I get them (specifics, please).

Thanks, Jim

Yup, look here for Mike Child's needles. They're the closest thing you'll ever find, trust me!

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=9&t=7402

Sean

[MicaMonster]

To All: It was very juvenile of me to use the "looks like a duck, quacks like a duck" reference in my previous message concerning needle manufacture sources. Not only was that statement not backed by scientific fact, it was an outright assumption. I should have made the calls, and done some hard-fact research before saying that. What I had assumed was unsubstantiated, and incorrect.

Walt Sommers has provided the microscopic images, measurements and his research of stylus tips to the world, freely, to not only educate but to share with his fellow hobbyists. I have known Walt for years and his service, commitment and enthusiasm to this hobby is first rate.

In future I will be more careful and stick to the facts.

-Wyatt

[Nat]

I have had nothing but good service and outstanding information from Walt.

[WDC]

I have been quite concerned about needle tip angles and have found those by zwarteschijf.nl also to be the best I came by.

The medium needles are slightly thinner than those by others and the angle appears to be more gentle to the groove. The ones I bought about 5 years ago were plain steel but the new ones appear to also now nickel plated while maintaining the same great shape.

But just out of curiosity, as I did order some from Michael Child also years ago. The ones I recall to have received then did have a very straight angle, which I call pen-shape needles (upper needle).

Does anyone know if they are still of the same shape or now more like the flat angle ones?

Also, does nickel plating give any other benefit than a great shine and protection against corrosion? It should wear off the tip very quickly because of its softness.

[HisMastersVoice]

But just out of curiosity, as I did order some from Michael Child also years ago. The ones I recall to have received then did have a very straight angle, which I call pen-shape needles (upper needle).

Does anyone know if they are still of the same shape or now more like the flat angle ones?

The ones I have are "flat angle" like the bottom needle in your photo.

[WDC]

Thank you, Brandon, that's good to know!