The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

For simple listening purposes (not from a collecting standpoint), is there any benefit to using one type of needle over another for my IX?

Thank you!

Personally I prefer the sound of a soft tone steel needle the best for everyday listening. I find if I have any electrically recorded records, the thinner soft tone needles seem to play better without as much background white noise. I have tried a number of different needle choices, including Tungstone, Fibre, natural thorn, as well as steel. At the end of the day, I always go back to the basic steel needles. Having said all of that, what sounds better is very subjective. You really should try a few different types to determine which you prefer. As I am sure you have already heard, if you do go with a steel needle it is for one play only. If you use them beyond that you will damage your records and the sound quality will quickly degenerate.

Some steel needles are better quality than others, and inflict less wear on the records. I have had excellent results from needles I've purchased from ebay seller soundgen (UK) and zwarteschijf_holland (Netherlands).

If you play newer electrically recorded records on your IX, you should use soft tone needles due to the softness of the records and the volume characteristics.

Take a look at the following article for some technical details:

http://www.victor-victrola.com/Needle%20Article.htm

There are of course, bamboo and thorn needles also.

What Boyle6 said. I use only Bry-o-phonic steel needles, almost always soft tone (medium tone for some acoustics). My supplier is Martin Bryan, 37 Caledonia St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 (802-748-9264). I'm not sure this contact info is up to date; my last order was 3/17/05. The needles come in packets of 100; I order them by the thousands (5,000 soft tone cost $89.50). If you order from Martin, call or write first to make sure he is still in business. I have never had a problem with Bry-o-phonic needles, although opinion varies on their quality. IMO it is money well spent.

Henry wrote:What Boyle6 said. I use only Bry-o-phonic steel needles, almost always soft tone (medium tone for some acoustics). My supplier is Martin Bryan, 37 Caledonia St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 (802-748-9264). I'm not sure this contact info is up to date; my last order was 3/17/05. The needles come in packets of 100; I order them by the thousands (5,000 soft tone cost $89.50). If you order from Martin, call or write first to make sure he is still in business. I have never had a problem with Bry-o-phonic needles, although opinion varies on their quality. IMO it is money well spent.

I spoke to a dealer in Texas a couple of months ago who told me that the last time he tried to order needles from Martin in 2009, he never received a response, and his check was never cashed.

I've used Martin's needles, and while they are OK, I believe there are better needles available.

I three prefer soft tone needles. I will only use a loud needle just to show someone the difference. I buy by the thousand from Wyatts Musical Americana.

I buy mine from Walt Sommers, I believe he is cyber_tigger on eBay. They work quite well.

Thank you, everyone, for your insights. I think I will try a few different needles and see which will best serve my purposes... although first I will be trying my hands (but hopefully not my patience)at my inaugural reproducer rebuild project. (Fortunately the instructions are clearly spelled out both in the Eric Reiss book and online.)

Tinkerbell wrote:... although first I will be trying my hands (but hopefully not my patience)at my inaugural reproducer rebuild project. (Fortunately the instructions are clearly spelled out both in the Eric Reiss book and online.)

You've probably spotted this by now, but just in case you haven't, here are some step by step instructions -- http://www.nipperhead.com/old/reproducers.htm

Tinkerbell wrote:Thank you, everyone, for your insights. I think I will try a few different needles and see which will best serve my purposes... although first I will be trying my hands (but hopefully not my patience)at my inaugural reproducer rebuild project. (Fortunately the instructions are clearly spelled out both in the Eric Reiss book and online.)

The hardest part for me on No. 2 reproducers (assuming thats what you have) is getting those little black screws out in one piece. If you can get those out without tearing them up (try liquid wrench and soak for a day or so) than that is 99 percent of the battle.