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Help with electrical phonograph. Needles.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 7:59 am
by dilhermandodidi
Hello everyone,

What's the needles to play 78s on a electrical portable phonograph from the 70s? Now I thing wich my acoustical HMV damage my precious reords, and I need find new best ways. Soon I'll post pictures of the phonograph.
Best wishes!%

Re: Help with electrical phonograph. Needles.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:22 am
by Player-Tone
I have little knowledge on 'new' phonographs, but I'll see if I can help:

There were many different cartridges used among these electric phonographs, the specific type you will need depends on the type of phonograph you have. Those pictures you will soon upload should help with identifying the specific cartridge you need.

-With that said, once you identify the required cartridge you can then find one bearing a 78rpm stylus. The 78 rpm stylus is slightly larger than the common 33.3/45 ones due to the difference in groove size. A 33.3/45 stylus will rattle around at the bottom of a 78 groove, producing a muffled and scratchy sound.

Some cartridges have both a 33.3/45 and 78 stylus. You can switch between the two using a small switch that will actually rotate the cartridge around in the tone-arm. One stylus per side of the cartridge.
I attached a picture of one of these cartridges below, note the small lever marked '78' on the top. The opposite side is marked 'LP' for the long play groove of a modern 33.3 record.