The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Several years ago I posted a shout out regarding glass Phonograph needles and if any others had been found. Well, I thought I would try again. They must have been very short lived? Anyone??

Months ago I bought a Decca needle tin (UK) and contents... And it was as in the photo : a bunch of strange and varied needles, among them some glass needles, bamboo needles, half a dozen pathé sapphires, anf other varied needles. Very amusing! I've not yet tried the glass ones. I gave a colleague herein two of the sapphires, which were good, I suppose he's enjoying them!

I guess people tried these in hopes the reproduction would have more clarity? Might be a problem, though, if the music had any shattering climaxes.

Interesting that glass is about 29% harder than steel, on the Moh's Scale. Perhaps glass needles would last a little longer
on 12" records where sometimes the steel needle would wear out before the end of the record.

startgroove wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:14 pm Interesting that glass is about 29% harder than steel, on the Moh's Scale. Perhaps glass needles would last a little longer
on 12" records where sometimes the steel needle would wear out before the end of the record.

That sounds very interesting. I wonder how bamboo needles compare with glass and steel ? Is there something on the Moh's scale about this I wonder ?

I'm not sure that would be possible because bamboo differs in consistency between its bark and pulp, unlike glass and steel which is basically the same inside and out (unless the steel has been electroplated with a different metal).