The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm always on the lookout for so-called "long life" needles, as I have several late 1920s/early 1930s changers. I prefer not to use tungsten-tip needles for various reasons, but I do have a couple that were rated by their manufacturers for 1,000 or more plays. I have never used any for nearly that many plays, but I have used some -- NOS bought from the late, lamented Ed Crockett -- and have been pleased with their quality.

I recently came across this in a box of old needle packs (including a lot of Recoton chromium, which I have never tried for fear of damaging discs), and am considering using it on a changer. Does anyone have any experience with this particular needle? Any opinions? And does anyone know what the "precious metal" on the point is?

Based on what I've been able to spot, the RCA Victor "Long Life Needle" dates from about 1938.

https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... 94&dpr=1.4

I'm thinking that the horseshoe magnet pickups used in the late 1920s/early 1930s may be too heavy.

OrthoFan