The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone,

Looking for an alternative to replacing the needle for every record side when using my portables or the credenza.

Only option I read about was obviously the famous tungs-tone needles, but the question I have is: do they really work as multi-use needles?

Also, what's the going-price for them? I am looking at a pair of 'rusted' ones on eBay and not sure if they're still functional.

See image below:
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss20 ... edles2.jpg

A little surface rust could be acceptable, but the needles you picture are QUITE corroded. I'd skip these.
Unused tungs-tone needles can go for at least several dollars each on Ebay, plus the storage tin adds expense.
A longer-lasting dial-a-tip needle, called the "Everplay," is a viable alternative, but they're expensive, selling between 65.00 and 150.00 recently on Ebay.
Have you considered cactus thorn needles?
I use them almost exclusively for my records. Just as with Tungs-tone needles, the number of sides you get per needle or re-sharpening depends on the existing groove wear and music content of your records.
The Victor tungs-tone needles were advertised to play 50 sides or more, but I think in real use you'd get fewer than that. A good cactus thorn needle can be resharpened dozens of times, easily playing a hundred sides or more before it's too short to use. There are several threads on the forum discussing cactus needles. I typically can play six sides in my changers between sharpenings.
Here's an example of a machine of mine using a thorn needle I made up myself. The shorter the needle, the better it plays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5o6cy78u-E

Happy playing!
Bob

No information here, but there was a thread some time ago on the same topic. I've ordered a bunch to see what they're like, and intend to use them in my ortho portables, as I keep getting needles in the grass, which is NOT nice for bare feet.

Bob,

Every time I see this video, it makes me more anxious to get my 10-35 done, what a great machine! I finally got the horn it was missing, thanks to a fellow TMF member, now to get the machine here from my parents' house, clear room for display and get it finished! Mine is absolutely mint and came from the lobby of the Grand Union hotel in famous Saratoga Springs, NY years ago.

Sean

Thanks Sean!
I think the metal horn of the 10-35 works well with cactus needles.
By the way, when the time comes to remove the changer for any work, be prepared. It weighs 60 pounds!
Greg Bogantz has an amusing and helpful essay concerning these:

http://www.myvintagetv.com/updatepages1 ... r_1035.htm

Bob

I had mine up and running quite well before it "went away", so it shouldn't need much. I remember that changer being a bear to handle, but not that tough to work on once you figured out how it was supposed to run / cycle.

I've also since acquired two NOS antique bronze RVA Victor ortho reproducers in their original boxes, even. They sound amazing, so again, I can't wait to get at mine this Spring!

Sean