The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Sean,


It took me a couple days to get the answer for you and several others who have PM'd me about it.. Steven feels that somewhere in early September he should have a idea of what he can do. So it shouldn't be hopefully too long.

As a side note I played a number of things with late numbers for the acoustic era that were either opera or things like the Students Marching song, (which I think is early electric). They never played clearly, now they are wonderful.. I know people will be pleased when they become available.

Larry

Thanks Larry,

I've been in touch with Steve in the past about this (and he will remember the trouble I had, I'm sure). He sent me a note over the weekend and I'll be in touch with him. My "hurry" isn't really that, it's more of a "can I finally put this issue to bed" sort of thing. I have more than 2000 DDs that I won't play on my machines. A few weeks back, a friend unearthed a brand new, never taken out of it's packaging antique bronze DD reproducer and sent it my way. I hadn't done anything other than unpack it and mostly look at it until yesterday morning when I finally cleaned and lubed the hinge block. The thing has an obviously perfect original diamond, cork gaskets (it's a late one) and plating. I really don't want to use it since it's "new", but it was nice to play a couple of things and see no runoff marks or dust coming off discs. I'm very excited to have a couple of the new diamonds.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:Any word on when people who have been waiting for years now will be able to order them? The suspense is killing me here, especially since I'm out over $800 from the "other company".

Sean

I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, too!

Be patient, there seems to be a lack of that. I would think 2000 or more plays before announcing total eureka on the stylus (and already compared to the Expert, it sounds like a winner). Remember Edison's patients and persistence. would you would be crazy to record on a cylinder blank only a day old!

I am currently up to about 430 sides I will eventually get to your 2,000 sides and more. Plus there is something about the stylus that is playing things with clarity I have not been able to obtain using others.

Larry

I have 2 "new old-stock" Standard Edisons & an Edisonic, and can't picture the day when I'd buy a newly produced diamond instead of looking for another new-old reproducer. Besides those waiting just-in-case, the reproducers that came with my BC-34 and B-80 still work fine. If you are careful not to run them over discs with chips or big scratches, and never drop them on a running disc, I think it's unlikely you'll ever wear out a good diamond. It's wise to set the point down on a good spot of the disc and THEN start it spinning.

Your probably right in that a perfect unused old diamond should be a great thing to find. Unfortunately for me when I tired to purchase new heads with diamonds that were in good condition I found that although they did not leave any marks which was surely a plus, they did not play as clear as they did when new. The wear to the stylus was enough to effect the clarity just like a steel needle that is showing a bit of wear after a few plays. A diamond takes a lot longer to do that but over time they do. I got tired of spending money on reproducers and chancing that the stylus was still perfect. Thus I went though a lot of new stylus which granted should not have been how things went.

We have high hopes that this new stylus will offer a superior sound and quality and last as the originals did. Which isn't forever but for a decent time. There are many more people who need a perfect stylus than probably can find one though the collectors sources. Thus the need for a good replacement. I for one am thrilled that we at least have a stylus now that works as it should without damage to the records. I will be purchasing more for heads I have that need them.

I have reached 726 sides now and things are going flawlessly. Obviously going though a lot of records. Giving me a chance to cull any really noisy or poor records, or ones with damage. I am still impressed with the quality of sound the new stylus is pulling from the records. My stack of piano records, which from just checking is nearly the whole catalog worth from the mid twenties, have more depth and seemingly more volume with this stylus. Same for the violin pieces, a bit more sensitivity to the sound. Overall its been joy to hear. And best of all no evidence of the stylus on the surface. Records that have been played recently have no black dust when you rub the stylus with your finger.. On records that haven't had much play with the new stylus you may see some dirt. From what Steven has said this stylus is a bit smaller and fits the groove as it should compared to a competitor. Its made to original specs. At this rate I should be nearing that 1000 play goal in a few more weeks.

Larry

Thanks for all the updates Larry.
A new diamond was never an option that I would consider until now, this is all sounding (pun intended) very good. Looking forward to general availability.
Thanks,
Mike

Just wondering how the Bruce Diamond Project is coming along? Very excited about this new stylus.