Phonoland

I have recently got a Seeburg AY160. I was curious about the T diamond Red Head cartridge needle condition since their age is unknown. I got out the old microscope to take a look. Here is what I found. Sorry for the blurry photo, I couldn't seem to keep the camera from focusing on the reticules instead of the needle.






Apparently the left side has been taking most of the use. It looks like my jukebox is "grounded" for a while.

Some of the records in my phono are obviously worn due to their fuzzy sound, even when played on another tabletop phono with known good needle. I've recently bought a box of about 550 45's. Some are like new while some have worn.
We all know worn needles damage records.

Question:
Will playing cleaned, but worn records damage new needles? I don't mean scratched records, just worn to sound fuzzy.

Thanks in advance.

Short answer: Yes.

The problem is that when a record is pressed the molding process leaves a smooth, polished surface that lets the stylus glide with relatively low friction.

When a record gets torn up or dredged this not only ruins the polished surface but leaves abrasive dust in the grooves. The worst are the styrene and reground plastic disks.

Washing with an emulsifying agent such as dishwashing soap or the diluted floor stripper I often use, then blasting with water while rinsing will remove the grit, but is can't replace the polish.

If you are using good, polished whole diamond styli and moderate tracking pressures (2 g-or less) the problem will be minimized.

For a little entertainment, here is a file from a Joe Bataan record that was found in a box of parts from an Op on Tenth Ave. Totally scratched and doubtlessly played with s--t needles, On a standard pickups even after washing it was pretty bad. However with good equipment, in this case an Empire 598 TT/ Stanton 680-EEE the stylus is able to track slightly below the bulk of the torn-scratched level of the grooves:

http://www.fileconvoy.com/dfl.php?id=g2 ... d3b6cdb034

Rob/NYC

Steve,
You bring up an interesting subject here---
There was a time when records were purposely made to ware-out needles. The thinking then was that a needle, be it "steel", pork-u-pine, quale, bamboo --- was much less expensive then a record.
I think this thinking changed somewhere during WWII, or, whenever the "sapphire" needle was developed.
When the 45's were introduced, the "claim" was that they would not destroy a needle, and that the needle would not destroy the record ! Well, after awhile, someone figured out the laws of friction, and came up with the "diamond" tip. At first, these were extremely expensive, but the tech got better and better, so that by the early 60's, the (man made) diamond was less expensive then the sapphires. IMHO, GEN-U-WHINE, "Seeburg/Pickering" diamonds last, almost "forever"--even longer in "home use" !
Ron Rich

Hi Steve, Very interesting pictures. I would not recommend the playing of worn/used/scratched, warped, etc records. I am lucky to have lived (20 miles) near a place called The Record Connection. When I look for a particular recording they usually have from 3 to 10 copies of it ranging in condition from well worn to new/old stock. The price ranges too but I always buy the new/old stock one. The "T" needles are no longer being manufactured for our 160's so be careful what you play. I saw one guy asking $200.00 for two new in a pack.
I was lucky to think and buy a few new pairs years ago, but as Ron said, they last a long time in private use and the new ones are still in the package.

I saw your 160 over on U-Tube, nice machine. I'm over there too with Billy Ward and his Dominoes.

Tom

Thanks for the comments.

"There was a time when records were purposely made to ware-out needles."

I have a 1916 Victor Victrola and it's 1 needle per play. I have a magnified view somewhere of a "thick" steel needle, a before-after playing of a single 10" acoustic record. The results are dramatic, the soft rounded tip turns into something like a cold chisel shape.

People who don't know any better believe I am excessive for my 1 needle 1 play on an acoustic record on my Victrola... Until I show them the photo of a played needle.

Good thing the acoustic steel needs are fairly cheap.

Has anyone be able to locate replacement needles for a Seeburg DS?

If so, from who?

Best
Darrell

Darrell,
I have both OEM, in original "Seeburg packaging", sapphire, and diamonds, for sale--limited quantity, very expensive--
PM me, if you wish--
Ron Rich