The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

There is nothing wrong with the Birch machine, per se. At its price point, it performed quite well.

You could try putting WTB posting in the Yankee Trader section here for a Birch arm (the forearm anyway) and reproducer. Depending on what part of your arm is worn, another forearm may fix the problem. Lots of Birch arms broke at the base where they attach to the motor board. Lots of cases were very badly damaged. Lots of motors died. Someone may have parts squirreled away that they may be willing to part with at a reasonable price. Bear in mind that you can get what is purported to be a well functioning and good looking machine on EBay for about $70. And as you know yourself, Birch machines can be found for down in the $30 range.

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You could also ask if someone has a decent American-made portable they would be willing to part with, a duplicate in their collection? But you can expect to pay a decent price, if the seller has done a lot of work restoring/servicing the machine.

Wondering if my issue is the housing the needle is in. It's a small piece of conduit and increases the overall size. I tried pulling the old needle out with needle nose pliers. Just the very tip of the needle is exposed, but could not get a good grip on it. My plan was to put a new needle in the tube housing. I took side-by-side pictures to show the size difference. No idea where to buy these metal tubes, or if I really need one. Has anyone seen something like this?

doctor_of_jazz wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:17 pm Wondering if my issue is the housing the needle is in. It's a small piece of conduit and increases the overall size. I tried pulling the old needle out with needle nose pliers. Just the very tip of the needle is exposed, but could not get a good grip on it. My plan was to put a new needle in the tube housing. I took side-by-side pictures to show the size difference. No idea where to buy these metal tubes, or if I really need one. Has anyone seen something like this?

That is not a case for inserting needles. That actually looks to be a shot multi-play phonograph needle, which was used on 1940s era electrically amplified phonographs. I once tried using this type of needle on a victrola, but it ruined the record groove after only one play.

The "tip" is not removable from the shank. Some had jewel tips, some were plated with a protective metallic substance. (All wore out in time--they were good for X-number of plays.) A variety were sold; some oddly shaped. Here are a few examples culled from an eBay ad -- Your best bet is to use a conventional steel needle, which you insert directly into the needle bar's "hole" and fasten tight with the thumbscrew. About the only option for a long-play needle on an acoustic phonograph would be the Tungsten Tipped stylus, described here -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/Needles.htm (You could also use a fiber needle or a thorn/cactus needle, which requires resharpening after each play.)

OrthoFan

Thanks for that! I was thinking it would better place the needle in the correct spot, but maybe need to stick with the basic steel needle.