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So, I have some tins of old Tung-tone stylus and I used on, and it seems to play fine! However, i had someone tell me, he does not use them as the tungsten dries out. Which I never heard of? I think he meant that it will oxidize? Anyway, does any one have any feedback on this?

Tungsten is the main metal used in those needles and it has a very low oxidization factor at normal temperature, similar to chromium. It is a very stable metal and does not change significantly with age, normal temperatures or humidity. Perhaps you could advise your friend to do a little online research?

A word of caution, Tungstone needles are not good for use on acoustic recordings, some late shellac recordings nor any vinyl recordings. Their best application is for playback of early electric recording made before WW2.

Cheers, Russie

Thank you Russie ! Yea, I have only used them on a few of my electrical records from the late 20’s and the 1930’s. Or the Victor Records that say use a tungs-tone needle.


Paul

startgroove wrote:Tungsten is the main metal used in those needles and it has a very low oxidization factor at normal temperature, similar to chromium. It is a very stable metal and does not change significantly with age, normal temperatures or humidity. Perhaps you could advise your friend to do a little online research?

A word of caution, Tungstone needles are not good for use on acoustic recordings, some late shellac recordings nor any vinyl recordings. Their best application is for playback of early electric recording made before WW2.

Cheers, Russie

Yet some late Victor acoustics recommended TT needles on their labels, and frankly, I've never noticed any ill effects on a post Grand Prize Victor. Never tried one on a Columbia, though, and likely won't.

The seem too work best on Victor Records. I did try a Montgomery Ward one, but the record is worn, and doesn’t sound as good, as the Victors.

Now I’ve been told that the tungsten breaks down over time.

I had a Tungs-tone in my Pathé Model 100 for a while back when I was a wet-behind-the-ears collector. (As opposed to being just all wet, as today. ) I abandoned the stylus when it started tearing grit out of a batwing Victor in decent shape that I liked enough to play often. I've seen somewhere that Tungs-tone styli are best avoided except in Victor reproducers; be that true or not, on the strength of my experience with the Pathé machine, I would tread cautiously with them.

Ok! Thank you for the information! I have only played Victor electric records or Orthophonic ones.

I deleted my video on using tungs-tone needles. I don’t want to cause a problem.

I've searched the internet for information about Tungsten breaking down over time. Nothing came up.

One site talked about tungsten being used in jewelry bands and the like. Apparently it is chosen for that due to its resistance to acids, alkalines, body oils and other fluids that would attack other metals.

Nothing about it breaking down over time, unless it would be millions of years. Perhaps someone else knows of this information.

Cheers, Russie