The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So I just bought 5 tungs-tone needles on ebay.

I was watching them even though shipping and import fees were too high IMHO [$27 USD] ... I did set an upper limit based on that and got them a tad lower than my cut off [a very wee, small, tiny, tad lower] ... I posted a want ad in yankee trader [now taken down] just to see if someone had some here I could buy instead [should have done that sooner].

Anyhoo ... with the shipping and import I paid $53 USD in total or $10.60 per

So did I totally rip myself off? or only somewhat rip myself off?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/303439222394

The opened one is pretty rusty, but looks like lots of tip left ... I expect the unopened pack might be better.

I think that's a bit high for the condition and considering they are not in a metal tin. But you have them now and in a few weeks they pleasure of having them will outweigh doubts about what you paid

mick_vt wrote:I think that's a bit high for the condition and considering they are not in a metal tin. But you have them now and in a few weeks they pleasure of having them will outweigh doubts about what you paid

I can live with "a bit high" ... way better than "Buddy you were hosed!"

That's really not bad. You're going to find that most sealed packs will have some rust. I have a full case and then some of these and every pack I've opened has had a little rust or in some cases a lot. I've been meaning to try soaking them in Evaporust, but I've used just 0000 steel wool and a quick dip after in ammonia and they look and perform as new, never had an issue and I've been using them in my 10-50 for 20 years now.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:That's really not bad. You're going to find that most sealed packs will have some rust. I have a full case and then some of these and every pack I've opened has had a little rust or in some cases a lot. I've been meaning to try soaking them in Evaporust, but I've used just 0000 steel wool and a quick dip after in ammonia and they look and perform as new, never had an issue and I've been using them in my 10-50 for 20 years now.

Sean

Thanks Sean

I was just going to clean them off with some sort of abrasive ... but I think now I'll try some CLR instead.

A case! ... I have needle envy.

CLR should work too!

Don't be envious LOL, I got these 25 years ago when nobody seemed to care about them. I'm glad I did, though, because the 10-50 and all those early changers need either these, Tonofone or Everplays to really function without killing your records.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:CLR should work too!

Don't be envious LOL, I got these 25 years ago when nobody seemed to care about them.

You had to have been a young collector then. I was still in kindergarten.

As Sean said to use one of the auto changer victorolas you need either these or an everplay. I've use both and for value for money you really can't beat an everplay. Might cost a bit to buy (about $100 seems to be the going rate - I think some were listed in the yankee trader section of this forum recently) but they will last for years and years and play literally thousands and thousands of records. I did a review when I first bought one years ago the link for which is below. I really like mine and it is still going strong with lots of wire left on it after all these years! Think how many plays you get from a standard tungstone needle with a very short piece of wire and then imagine how many plays you would get out of a 12" length of it - I can well believe the claim of 27,000 records!!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=841&hilit=everplay+review

A member of this forum has some of them for sale, NOS
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=43464&hilit=everplay

burke wrote:with the shipping and import I paid $53 USD in total or $10.60 per

So did I totally rip myself off? or only somewhat rip myself off?

You got what you wanted, when you wanted it, for less than you wanted to pay. Maybe in total "a bit more" than you could have found elsewhere, at some other time. I don't know about costs in your country, but after the Wayne show a buddy of mine and I went for a drink at JFK airport and paid $50 for a scotch and a vodka, one drink each. You've at least got something to use daily and enjoy. All we had was a valet parking charge of $25.

Raphael