The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

FBM had a Fullotone listing here recently.

This is an interesting detail from one of the listing photos.

Although it is well known that not fully inserting the needle reduces the volume, I have never before seen any reference to this practice from a gramophone manufacturer. Rather than telling their customers about this trick, Fullotone should have been selling them their needles in a range of volume. Here is their sample tin :

The problem I found with inserting the needle partly up the shaft is that if you don't tighten the set screw properly, the needle can come loose.

This happened to me twice, and in both cases a scratchy hole was left in the groove.

In order for this to work, the thumb screw has to be in very good condition, and press against the needle firmly, locking it in place.

Agreed. Much better to select the right grade of needle for the record to be played.

Thank you for the interesting commentary.

The Fullotone machine, a complete rarity here, was being sold as a project item (motor/spring?), if I remember correctly. It is interesting that it disappeared quickly in what is increasingly here a sluggish market.

Is there something special about Fullotone machines?