Replacement needles : new vs. originals

[TonyJ]

I have a Victor VV-XI and purchased some soft and loud needles and had a question about today's replacements vs. what may have been manufactured years ago. There is a difference in the diameter of the needle shaft between the soft and loud, but when placed in the reproducer neither type is actually centered in the opening. Were the originals also made that way, or were the needle shafts wider which aligned the needle better? It probably doesn't make a huge difference in the sound, but was curious and thought I'd ask.

[barnettrp21122]

Is your needle opening triangular-shaped? The earlier reproducers had round openings. The triangular opening will accomodate the bamboo fibre needles. The triangular shape allows the needle, however thick or thin, to be tightened securely by the thumbscrew. I've had reproducers that won't tighten the thinnest needles properly, and sometimes this is due to a slightly bent or mis-aligned thumbscrew shaft. From what I've found in old machines there was a great variety of needle thicknesses back in the day.
Bob

[JohnM]

It doesn't matter if the needle is centered, as long as it is tight in the chuck. I have seen needles with the base of the shaft larger diameter than the pointed half of the shaft, but I believe those date to the late1930's-1940's. It is worth mentioning that the earliest bamboo needles were half-triangular/half-round to fit into the round chuck reproducers. These are very transitional and didn't last long.

[TonyJ]

Is your needle opening triangular-shaped?

Yes it is. I have no alignment problems with the thumbscrew as the thinner needles tighten without any issue. Thanks for the replies!

[Henry]

Steel needles, whether soft, medium, or loud, do not center in my Exhibition sound box's triangular needle hole, either. I just chuck 'em in and tighten down the needle screw, letting the needle shaft position itself where it will. It always parks in the same position, in the far corner of the triangle. I do believe this to be "normal" behavior for the species!