SH Spotlight Ever see an old 1929 electric phonograph with a steel needle in action? Take a look.

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Steve Hoffman, Oct 12, 2017.

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  1. 389 Tripower

    389 Tripower Just a little south of Moline

    Location:
    Moline, IL USA
    Why did the steel needles have to be changed after every play?
    Was the metal that soft?
     
  2. daveidmarx

    daveidmarx Forem Residunt

    Location:
    Astoria, NY USA
    AWESOME reference! :biglaugh:
     
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  3. ArpMoog

    ArpMoog Forum Resident

    Location:
    Detroit
    This thread made me go fire up our Silvertone Victrola and play some Sinatra.
    Looks like this.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. daveidmarx

    daveidmarx Forem Residunt

    Location:
    Astoria, NY USA
    Funny, all this time I thought he looked like THIS:

    [​IMG];)
     
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  5. seed_drill

    seed_drill Senior Member

    Location:
    Tryon, NC, USA
    I think the grooves in a record essentially act like sandpaper, causing the tip to lose it's point. Most people certainly didn't change the needle with every play, especially in the Depression, but it was recommended.
     
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  6. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Most people in the old days just turned the steel needle a bit and played another record. These old 78s you see with white worn out grooves.
     
  7. seed_drill

    seed_drill Senior Member

    Location:
    Tryon, NC, USA
    A little off topic, but the dang chuck on my Victrola won't tighten down enough to hold a needle. I don't know if there is something wrong with it, or if the needles I got from Jerry Raskin are of a smaller guage than what I need.
     
  8. 389 Tripower

    389 Tripower Just a little south of Moline

    Location:
    Moline, IL USA
    ... so the needles are re-popped?
     
  9. Rick Bartlett

    Rick Bartlett Forum Resident

    some 78's I have looked like they used a chain saw as a needle.
    some must have thought, 'oh it'll be alright', and kept using blunt needles.
    without much knowledge, it's hard for me to believe a steel needle would be degraded
    after one shellac record play. (I probably would have done the same back in the day....)
     
  10. Dillydipper

    Dillydipper Space-Age luddite

    Location:
    Central PA
    I thought Adolfe was more of a Sax-man, myself. ;)

    I too am curious about the session specifics. Admittedly I'm not at my desk system, just the Kindle, but saxes not nearly as present as trumpets? And I didn't even notice the strings until the last verse. Perhaps the trumpets should have sat down, and scooted a few feet further back? I'm assuming only one mic?
     
  11. schnulli

    schnulli Forum Resident

    Location:
    Germany
    :righton::righton::righton::righton::righton::righton:
     
  12. Jon_UK

    Jon_UK Forum Resident

    Location:
    Norfolk, England
    I remember we had a little box of single play needles, some gold coloured ones that apparently were good for five plays, and some toughened needles that were good for 50 plays. There was also a needle sharpener with a disc of sandpaper, so I guess people sharpened them several times - I may be wrong.
     
  13. JamieC

    JamieC Senior Member

    Location:
    Detroit Mi USA
    As I noted My first record player used those steel needles. I used them until they were rounded and dull. But then I was 3-4.
     
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  14. Marc Bessette

    Marc Bessette The King of Somewhere Cold

    “Don’t mention the War” (Basil Faulty)
     
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  15. We had a suitcase Victrola like this one that my brother would play Beethoven symphonies on. The speaker was between the turntable and the hinge of the lid. The volume control was a towel stuck into the speaker. Our mother collected cacti so if steel needles were in short supply, we'd use stickers off her cactus plants. They'd be good for a play or two.
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  16. Besides the Beethoven symphonies, this one got a lot of spins on our Victrola. Released 1941. A two disc album.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  17. Jason W

    Jason W Forum Resident

    Location:
    Mill Valley, CA
    I know a guy in NH who might know about the appropriate needles for your Collaro.

    I've collected many victrolas and early 78 players over the years. In terms of wind-up machines, the most dynamic sound reproducer I ever had was a late 1920s Orthophonic, which used an alloy diaphragm. The difference in detail and dynamics between that and my Victor No 2 reproducer was amazing. That said, I never explored electronic phono pickups like the one in the video (and referenced in the above link). Beautiful! I'm using a funky electric player now, but I'd like to someday set up a model with one of these pickups.

    I love old players (and 78 record-era music). I think I'd feel at home at Joe Broussard's (Desperate Man Blues). And if I lived in house, I surely would put antique record players (and cylinder players) in every room :)
     
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  18. Dillydipper

    Dillydipper Space-Age luddite

    Location:
    Central PA
    Yeah, and ya gotta dispose of them properly, or they end up washing up on the Jersey shore. :D

    BTW, Driftwood - nice, lusterous shots of beautiful old wood made musical! :thumbsup:
     
  19. andrewskyDE

    andrewskyDE Island Owner

    Location:
    Europe
    Perfect record! Very surprising. Sounds like it wasn't played that often over the decades.

    Fortunately!!
     
  20. andrewskyDE

    andrewskyDE Island Owner

    Location:
    Europe
    Oh my god! Haha, that really worked!?
     
  21. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Yes. Cactus needles were sold and used. Also wood needles for a mellow tone.
     
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  22. Lord Hawthorne

    Lord Hawthorne Currently Untitled

    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Are you willing to give mastering a disc for this a try?
     
  23. Pelvis Ressley

    Pelvis Ressley Down in the Jungle Room

    Location:
    Capac, Michigan
    Thanks for sharing, Steve.

    Reminds me of this full-range 1932 gem you shared with the forum several years back.

     
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  24. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Yes, amazing sound for being almost 90 years old.
     
  25. formu_la

    formu_la I'm not a robot

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    My parent were born during the nazi era. I glorify them.
     
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