The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

i recently got a columbia q, and i have a question about the stylus. should i be able to see the saphire sticking out if i look at it from the side? also when i play gold molded cylinders that havent been played in ( probably a few decades) small white things come off and and the records get a little shinier- is that normal? thanks

Hi- Looks like you are missing the stylus-- Yes- You should see a rounded "ball" sapphire stylus.. I don't see it in your picture. Sometimes (seldom), the stylus has slipped down into the tube that holds it and can be retrieved by heating the tube and extracting the stylus-- But that is uncommon-- Yours may have slipped out over the years or have been broken off.
Wyatt Marcus (Mica Monster) can install a new stylus for you-

Brad Abell

If you want to fix this yourself... I have Columbia 2-minute sapphire ball styli in stock for $42 each + $5 shipping per order.
These are mfg. by Expert Stylus in England - I currently have 7 available.

Bill Meyer
[email protected]
https://ascobill.wixsite.com/edisonphono

I’ve purchased and fixed one myself with the sapphire styli Bill sells they work great
Dan

on the end where the stylus could be, there was a lot of dust so i got the dust off. this led to me finding i can see a small black lump ( just barely) when i turn the stylus to the side, and i can see a little black circle when i look at it from the top.