The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone besides the England outfit make Edison DD stylus? I heard horror stories on their quality.

There have been rumors of attempts to create a new source of supply; but as far as I have heard, none of them have yet come to fruition…

Bill

A new source is badly needed. Eventually I believe it will become a reality.

Larry

I sure hope so. Until then, we DD machine owners just have to buy extra DD reproducers (oftentimes affixed to machines) in order to get original styli that are still in decent shape. I'm planning on doing so in the next couple weeks by visiting Ron Haring of Plano, Illinois--who is marvelously well-stocked in phono parts.

Ralph

Assuming it is in good shape, and not abused, how long will a DD stylus last?

I have had several originals that still played reasonably well after all these years. So long as its not showing any damage to the run off then it would seem it would be safe to continue to use. What I did find though is that when I switched to a new stylus (even though it failed shortly there after), that the sound was cleaner than with the original. Which makes sense as even the diamond does wear down with use. Some think that the wear is enough to damage the shape of the groove, thus reducing the quality of sound and still not scratching the run off which seems mostly to occur when the diamond is chipped in some way.. I have found that you can't trust playing a record though if it contains a noticeably surface defect wether from a scratch or a chip. Its not worth running a good stylus to hear it.. Worst thing is many are nearly impossible to notice without some really careful checking of the surface under a decent light..


Larry

Larry,

Thank you.

I am determined to get a Diamond Disc player working that was a gift from my mother, 30 or more years ago. I have a stylus (in the bar) on the way. I still have horn issues and a broken spring to contend with.

I have three records, I will examine them under a magnifier to look for issues on them.

Thank you again, sir.

RAK402 wrote:Assuming it is in good shape, and not abused, how long will a DD stylus last?

With moderate use, maybe another 100 years. Seriously. I have never worn one out. Some of those machines with worn stylii must have been played to death, and some of the records I've seen tell the same tale.