The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm trying to collect as many different types of gramophone needle as possible, so was pleased to find this random one in an old tin of normal steel needles.

I made the mistake of trying to use it on a record, and the truly dreadful sound alerted me, a little too late, to the fact that the tip is entirely missing. I always check very carefully before using an old needle now. It looks lovely under very high magnification though. It's a very clean break isn't it? Yet there's an odd wedge-shaped area on the left too. I wonder if this is normal.
Is anyone able to ID the brand or period please? Also, what was the function, if any, for the yellow sheath? The needle is 15mm in length.
Iain

These are HMV Long Playing needles. They were supposed to play up to 60 sides but that is fanciful. Circa 1950. The wedge shaped area looks like the needle has ridden the groove wall.

That’s a good image showing shellac dust on the worn area and pits in the metal not due to corrosion. The chipped paint also shows the needle has been used.

More on this thread.

viewtopic.php?t=57635

jamiegramo wrote: Sat Nov 09, 2024 11:58 am These are HMV Long Playing needles. They were supposed to play up to 60 sides but that is fanciful. Circa 1950. The wedge shaped area looks like the needle has ridden the groove wall.

That’s a good image showing shellac dust on the worn area and pits in the metal not due to corrosion. The chipped paint also shows the needle has been used.

More on this thread.

viewtopic.php?t=57635

That's very interesting, thanks. And I didn't realise that was shellac dust there. I did an earlier focus stack of the top of the needle but thought it was just dirt, so polished most of it off for the above image. Here's the first one, showing a lot more dust, unfortunately not a very sharp image: