The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all,

I used the search function and got lost in dozens of pages of old posts. I see some bamboo needles on eBay, etc. Anyone know of a good/current source for bamboo or cactus needles that are of excellent ready to go quality? This will be for a 1915 VVIX and hopefully a 1920s orthophonic. I appreciate it!

Personally, I think organic needles cause more problems than they solve. I love medium tone steel needles.

bigshot wrote:...organic needles cause more problems than they solve.

I'm curious, what problems do organic needles cause?

Retrograde wrote:

bigshot wrote:...organic needles cause more problems than they solve.

I'm curious, what problems do organic needles cause?

Some say that the friction from thorn/fibre needles generates excessive heat which can damage the grooves with a burnishing action.

I do not know whether or not this is true. What I do know is that steel is a good conductor of heat, and that wood is not.

I sometimes use thorns from a honey locust tree that is in my yard, clip off the thorns and shave down the end so it fits into the needle chuck and it works, its quieter than a soft tone which is nice so that way I am not annoying my family with my music.

To get back on track, I would also like to know of a good source for high-quality bamboo or cactus needles.

Clay

FloridaClay wrote:To get back on track, I would also like to know of a good source for high-quality bamboo or cactus needles.

Clay

For cactus needles you may need to rely on vintage stock - the variety of cactus used for the old needles is now strictly protected. I was given prickly pear spines to use in needle making- they provided a satisfactory but very soft tone being quite thin. Grinding the points into them was the laborious part, the natural point can't be used.

Making your own bamboo needles isn't hard if you have a section of well seasoned bamboo- instructions can be found on the web.

In the 1940's of the tasks of EMG shop employees in off hours was to go into the basement and split bamboo for needles.

I did a quick internet search and found this web site. I don't know if it's a good company, but it might be what you are looking for. http://www.soundsofold.com/product/Bamboo5

Someone has been selling new bamboo needles on eBay for some time. He sells two different grades, and in various quantities. Once I use up my originals, I plan to buy his.

eBay # 252119411995 , 252104579965 , 252130931978

audiophile102 wrote:I did a quick internet search and found this web site. I don't know if it's a good company, but it might be what you are looking for. http://www.soundsofold.com/product/Bamboo5

Thanks. Just ordered some from that site. Will see how they are. If not satisfactory, I'll try the eBay seller.

Clay