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Spotted these on the bay this morning and looks to be newly manufactured needles - has anyone here tried them? Curious if they are worth getting a set...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-NEW-TUNGSTEN ... SwKoRZZnah

Years ago, there was a guy in, I believe, Texas that was manufacturing and selling "new" Tungsten tipped needles similar to these. I grabbed some to try out and while they do function and play, the shafts were hollow so there was a sort of shallow, almost ringing sound when playing. Needless to say, I put them away as a curiosity and use regular old stock Victors, which to me are far superior. Who knows with these, maybe someone else here has tried them.

Sean

I've bought a few lots from him, and my 10-70 is very happy with them. I've only gone through 2 needles and part way through the third. The first two needles played around 150-175 sides before they were wore out. The records were all clean, but in average condition. He said they are very tedious to make, and I am sure they are. You're Driving Me Crazy, et. 10-70 Electrola. Is the video on youtube I made of that 10-70 using one of those needles as he was kind of curious about how they would hold up on such an instrument. I have to say that I'm very happy with them, and they are solid and I think he said the shank was steel. He tried brass, but it didn't do a very good job of transferring the sound. I did play a worn record first to break in the tip and didn't remove it until after it was wore out. Hope that helps. I haven't used them on a regular Victrola as it's not a bother to change needles there I guess.

Thanks for the feedback - I just bought a 4 pack and going to try them out

I tried them and found them OK, not quite as fulsome a sound as conventional needles but then I'm very fussy. Also I found them very easy to bend (which the seller does warn clearly about). I imagine tungsten is likely to wear records more, especially when the tip accommodates slightly different groove shapes from one record type to another, and I sometimes hear that said about the original Tungstone/Tungstyle needles. All told, I have respect for the maker and it was an interesting exercise trying them for myself, but I won't continue to use them.

I've tried them, and liked them so much I ordered two more batches. The sound is quite good, though I do still use steel needles for absolute best sound/volume, though the verdict is still out: there is really very little difference in sound quality. Moreover, these are perfect for portables, where I don't want the inevitable loose needles rolling around, and I use them as well in my "demo" machines, where someone might not know to change needles. I'm impressed and very pleased.

So, to those of you who have tried these, how do they compare to an original Tungstone or even an Everplay? Any noticeable differences?

Sean

Years ago I was attracted by the idea of playing many records with a semi-permanent needle. The Tungstone needles did not sound as good as steel needles in my opinion. I understand the tungsten needles may also wear records quicker than steel. I once measured the wire, with an idea of making my own. The wire miked at .0055 inch. I could not find tungsten wire of that exact thickness, but guess that .006 would work. I made a few mock-ups using brass tubing, but never figured out how to machine tiny steel shanks as this fellow has done. Impressive job, bul I'll stick with steel needles.

[quote="OrthoSean"]So, to those of you who have tried these, how do they compare to an original Tungstone or even an Everplay? Any noticeable differences?

I've tried a number of originals, and I can't hear any difference.

For tone as compared to original tungs tone needles, at least on the 10-70, I can't tell any difference, but they might be different on an acoustic machine. I really just wanted them for that automatic Victrola and haven't really tried them on anything else. I did use an Everplay needle for awhile on my Panatrope, but those things don't always want to feed the wire out through the opening and it can really be a challenge to get those things to advance the wire like they advertise. I do think the tungs tone needles do sound better than the Everplay needles do. At least on the electric machines.