The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all,

I've been growing my collection of portables steadily now, but it's gotten to a point where I need to look into using needles with a longer life-span.

First, because I would need it for a project involving portable gramophones, and second for the sheer efficiency of also having my Credenza equipped with one.

Does anyone have any spares that they'd like to get rid of at a decent price? (I realize the question is rhetorically naive, but it's worth a try)

Also, am I right when I'm thinking that one should not swap tungs-tone needles between machines willy-nilly? I read somewhere that once you use them on one reproducer/tone-arm/machine, you should keep it there and not even rotate it, for risk of damaging future records.

Thanks in advance!

You can take them in and out and rotate them - if you change them just play a bit of a record in good condition that you don't like to shape the tip.

There are some other threads that discuss tungsten needles.

From what I understand, they might accelerate the wear of already worn records, but work well with records in good condition. From my own experience, they will last to play 50 sides.

If you remove a tungsten needle, you will have to reform the tip using a junk record, rather than ruin a good record. I have also discovered that tungsten needles don't play all records equally well. It must have something to do with groove dimensions, or due to record wear. In those cases I have to play with a steel needle to get a clear and strong sound. I think that overall, I still prefer steel needles.

tungs tone needles are good if you're playing an album of records, otherwise I'd use fibre, cactus, or steel. With excellent records my Credenza will play a cactus thorn needle through 4 sides easily.

I agree with those who advise against use of Tungs-tone needles. I "inherited" a few of these when I purchased my XI in 1980. Most were worn down to a nub and were not worth keeping (discarded); from the two or three remaining I selected what seemed to be the least worst, and used it once or twice. My conclusion was (and is) that, given my machine and the condition of its restored Exhibition sound box, steel needles were the best choice for me. I almost always use soft-tone steel, very rarely medium- or loud-tone. Stick with steel needles, use a fresh needle every side or two, and save your records!