The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Ok,
I had posted once about using a sapphire needle and I was blasted, lol...

Now I have about 80 packs of Micro-Phonic needles in 3 tones but am getting mixed replies from my Facebook group on if they are usable.
Can these safely be used in my phonographs?
I don't have any rare records but would still not want to ruin the ones I do have...

Kirk

Kirk,
I have no idea why you were "blasted" about using a sapphire needle, if you intend to use it on vertical cut records, like Pathé with the proper positioned reproducer. However, a sapphire stylus will not work for lateral cut records. If you just want to play normal lateral cut shellac records, like Victor, Columbia, etc. just buy a quantity of new steel needles which are available from a number of sources for a relatively cheap price.

The reason that I would not use the needles that you pictured, is that they are worth more as collector items in their original packages than the newly made bulk needles. There is an entire collector community for old original needles in their original packages...

Curt

Edit: my bad... interchanged lateral and vertical

Ugh.....

I agree.... One main reason I have not used them is that I want to keep them complete...
I had a fidelitone? sapphire or diamond 1000 play needle in my silvertone phono and I was told many times that it will kill my records..

I have tons of needles from the victrola guy on eBay but I figured using a few of these would save some constant changing, lol...

Kirk

Your Micro-Phonic needles are similar to Victor's Tungs-tone semi-permanant needles. If you choose to use yours they should provide the same results, playing many sides before the cylindrical tip is worn down to the shank. There is always some wear on the records, but more to the tungsten tips in this case if used properly.
Bob

OldRestorer wrote:Ugh.....

I agree.... One main reason I have not used them is that I want to keep them complete...
I had a fidelitone? sapphire or diamond 1000 play needle in my silvertone phono and I was told many times that it will kill my records..

I have tons of needles from the victrola guy on eBay but I figured using a few of these would save some constant changing, lol...

Kirk

The reaction to using jewel styli on an acoustic machine (for regular lateral 78s) is that they were intended to be used on much later, lighter weight, electric pickups. Acoustic reproducers are much heavier: it was for that reason that record companies in the old days added abrasive compounds to the shellac. This would wear down the needle to fit the groove, rather than vice versa.

A jewel stylus is much harder than a steel needle, and will consequently cause damage to the grooves when used with a heavy reproducer. The general consensus among collectors is to avoid playing later 78s on acoustic machines: and even some rare acoustic records are better off being played with a modern turntable.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

Bill

It does Bill,

I decided last night to try to sell off the excess. I was going to list them here but was not sure what a fair price was. I decided to let eBay decide and listed them... They all got scooped up in 2 hours!... I thought $12.00 a pack was high but geeze they went fast...
I know some of you messaged me for some and I will see if I have enough saved to provide them.
I am sorry but I never thought they would all sell out.
I will still honor the $5.00 price for you guys that had messaged me......

Thanks for all the replies, I am happy they will work out for my playing days!

Regards,
Kirk