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Hello!
I'm not very familiar with Columbia disc reproducers, and hope someone can offer some advice.
I have a Reginaphone, shipped in 1901, with a spring-loaded reproducer. I'd like to use triangular bamboo needles, and wonder if there's an equivalent diaphragm and needle chuck example that would fit on the tonearm, as shown in the pictures below. I would, of course, keep the original tucked safely away in the machine cabinet. Thanks for any advice!
Bob

First, This is a Columbia Analyzing reproducer from about 1906. The 1901 is the patent date, not the shipping date. There is no replacement reproducer to use bamboo needles for the machine. The later Columbia reproducers will not fit. I would leave this alone. When fiber needles first came out, manufacturers had a fiber needle with shaft to fit in a round hole reproducer. Your best bet is to find and buy these needles. Maybe reproductions are being made.
Harvey Kravitz

First, This is a Columbia Analyzing reproducer from about 1906. The 1901 is the patent date, not the shipping date. There is no replacement reproducer to use bamboo needles for the machine. The later Columbia reproducers will not fit. I would leave this alone. When fiber needles first came out, manufacturers had a fiber needle with shaft to fit in a round hole reproducer. Your best bet is to find and buy these needles. Maybe reproductions are being made.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks Harvey! That takes care of that notion!
Bob

Our colleague Orchorsol (Andy) produces 'fine' thorn needles of circular cross-section which will fit earlier sound-boxes. From Bob's images it looks as if he is already aware of these, but just in case it is needed I shall give Andy's web address: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com/.

Oliver Mundy.

Here is a simple solution: Why don't you just buy a chronograph with a triangular needle bar and keep your Reginaphone original.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:Here is a simple solution: Why don't you just buy a chronograph with a triangular needle bar and keep your Reginaphone original.
Harvey Kravitz

"Chronograph?" Spell-check working overtime, it seems!

Thanks for all the good suggestions!

Bob

Close enough for Government work
Harvey Kravitz

Menophanes wrote:Our colleague Orchorsol (Andy) produces 'fine' thorn needles of circular cross-section which will fit earlier sound-boxes. From Bob's images it looks as if he is already aware of these, but just in case it is needed I shall give Andy's web address: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com/.

Oliver Mundy.

Many thanks for the mention Oliver, much appreciated!
Andy

I probably shouldn't muddy the waters, but here are a couple of pictures of the Analyzing reproducer that came with my Columbia Imperial BJ.

It has a thumbscrew, and a triangular hole in the needle chuck.

I will add that this machine has an unusual mix of front-mount / back-mount features...

As the machine faces you, the crank is on the LEFT side, and turns clockwise (top towards you), and the speed control/brake plunger is on the rear of the machine, to the wind-side of the back-bracket.

There are no extra holes on the cabinet, nor any evidence of modifications, so I am assuming my machine is an early example of the BJ, using-up front-mount parts ?