The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have been looking for needles that can be used more than once and I know that sapphire and diamond tip needles are harmful. I have a couple "Tungs- Tone" needles but I came across these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCA-WIND-UPS-VI ... 51b21c7210

Do they work? Do they really last 12 plays? And has anybody tried them?

If you love your records... one steel needle per play.

If you really love your records and want to use an acoustic player use Bamboo and Cactus needles!

James.

ditto on VV-X

"More than twelve plays"? And at what point does one know when it's enough?

Needles are cheap; change 'em after each play.

I seem to recall those needles were used with the later crystal cartridges like the ones made by Astatic. Of course these are much lighter than an acoustic soundbox.
I remember using an "Osmium" (?) tipped needle in a Webster-Chicago changer I had. It played a lot of records, but I don't know how many. I didn't have real HiFi stuff then, so I don't know when the deterioration began. (45 years ago at least)
What needle is used in those fancy Orthophonic/Radiola changers?

I recently got hold of an unopened packet of Columbia "Chromium" needles that are supposed to play 60 sides each, and did a test. Using 6 very good condition quiet records (Charlie Kunz, since you ask) on an HMV 102 portable, I never got more than 20 sides from each one before they a) wore out, and b)visibly damaged the records, which was a blessing in disguise!
You have to bear in mind that at the time these needles were made there was no such thing as a Trade Descriptions Act, so the manufacturers were free to make whatever fantastic claims they wanted.
Having said that, I don't think these "multiplay" needles were designed to be used with acoustic machines. As has been mentioned, their primary use was intended to be with the then new-fangled "autochange" decks, that had much lighter arms, which would have been much kinder to both needles and records.

Where can one purchase these Cactus needles new - or NOS ?? Did not see any on EBay, etc......