The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all, I have heard of Cactus or thorn needles but I have never been able to locate them. Where can they be found?

Thanks in advance.
VictorVV-X

Old stock can be found on Ebay, the KACTI brand by Peter Grey was the most popular & fine quality. Decca and Duotone needles are also good. I do not know of a new source for cactus needles, they were made from Giant Saguaro spines which are now strictly protected A friend sent me prickly pear spines which I cut and sharpened (with some effort) they have a nice tone quality but being quite thin they are very soft.

Some people used to use well dried Hawthorn thorns and other such long thin thorns but I've neveer had good results.

There were also the Burmese thorn needles, which some collectors treasure.

Alas, the plant from which they came is now apparently extinct, due to over-harvesting.

Bill

Lucius1958 wrote:There were also the Burmese thorn needles, which some collectors treasure.

Alas, the plant from which they came is now apparently extinct, due to over-harvesting.

Bill

Still available in the UK from :

BTW- Peter Grey got into trouble with the Government over claims that: not only would records played with his needles "Never wear out" but that they could restore previously damaged records.

One of his needle packet leaflets from the 40's states that records are currently of less satisfactory quality because certain compounds formerly obtained from Japan are not available due to the war: "Does this mean the Japs are smarter than us? NO IT DOES NOT!"

Move to Arizona like I am in 2018 - plenty of Cactus needles

VictorVV-X wrote:Hello all, I have heard of Cactus or thorn needles but I have never been able to locate them. Where can they be found?

Thanks in advance.
VictorVV-X

I have a sizable collection of them, probably more than I can use in 2 lifetimes (I'm still on my first 2 packs...) I may be able to spare a pack. If you're interested, send me a PM.

I will post a picture of the Duotone sharpener- it is powered by the turntable.

estott wrote:I will post a picture of the Duotone sharpener- it is powered by the turntable.

EMG also sold sharpeners powered by the turntable, actually there is one on sale now in the English Ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boxed-Davey- ... Swm3paFHG5

Thank you everyone for your help!

HisMastersVoice, thank you for the offer.

VictorVV-X