The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently discovered a whole box of NOS Majestic "Dura Jewel" needles in their original containers that I bought from an old TV and radio repair guy decades ago. I use these in my 1930s RCA Victor two speed transcription table. They're good for electric pickups and changers using a set- screw type cartridge.

I have also used them in wind up machines.

CAVEAT: These needles sound great and last a very long time. I've used them for 78s, Victor Program Transcriptions, and 16" early transcriptions with success. That said, if your wind up or electric machine has a heavy pickup like a horseshoe magnet type, I'd do due diligence first- select a Columbia Viva tonal or OKeh Electric laminated disc that you don't like and isn't worth anything for a Guinea pig. Play it a few times and if it doesn't show wear or change color perceptibly you'll be OK.

Also- I have no idea what the "It Retracts!" gimmick is all about. I've never been able to make one do it or seen one do it. Google doesn't seem to know either except for one post about them on Worth(less)Point that claims the jewel "floats" in the shank:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/n ... needle-100+

I think their estimation of number of plays is pretty accurate, though. They normally last 6 months or better for me- and I play records a lot!

Price is $20 each or 6 for $100. I probably have at least 50 of them so stock up if you are into early changers!

Bump- Bunch of these left!

These styli are actually rather harder on records than are steel needles. Think of it. A steel needle is lapped to fit the groove by the lead-in. After running through three or four revolutions it will have ten to thirty times the contact area with the record than will a permanent sapphire or semi-permanent osmium stylus.

That said, these needles are what one must have for record changers and juke boxes. No one is making any more of these styli, though new steel needles of excellent quality are easily available from a number of sources. These styli are a useful and precious resource.

The ones with actual sapphire points also make excellent substitutes for the styli in the late 2/4 minute Columbia Lyric reproducers.

I checked my notes and have found that these are the very needles which I have successfully used in the Columbia
Lyric reproducers. Of course a reproducer fitted with one of these styli must never be used on wax records, but plays celluloid very well. I have also used the Majestic styli with success in Diamond B and Diamond C reproducers at times when suitable diamond styli were unavailable. These units work very well, but of course must be replaced oftener than a proper diamond, and they are somewhat mor prone to be damaged by creless handling.

This stylus is exactly what was intended for use in Capehart machines, by the way.