The difference in needles.

I recently aquired a large batch of steel needles and mixed in with them were also some brass colored and some bluish/black colored needles. Are all these needles to be discarded after one record or are any of them made to last longer? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know about your needles, but there were two kinds of replaceable needles for acoustic phonographs:

- Steel needles, which were good for one play each.

- Osmium needles, which worked for several stacks of records on early record changers (about 50 sides).

Osmium is a bluish white or blue-gray metal. But steel needles which are not chrome plated are also blue-gray.

The brass was probably a plating designed to prevent oxidation before the needle was used.

Cactus needles were also used, and didn't wear the records nearly as much as a steel needle. But the reproduction suffered in the treble region.

Thanks record changer. I appreciate the help.

Gents,

Actually, I believe standard steel needles are nickel-plated. The earliest multiplay metal needles were, I think Tungs-Tone (made with a tungsten wire) They are good for about fifty plays. Then you have fibre, thorn & catus needle. I have some original fibre needles and have made my own. They produce a very warm, mellow sound, very nice especially with some early electric recordings. I don't know much about Osmium needles. I do know at least one collector I know warns against using Osmium needles on an acoustic phonograph. As far as Chromium needles, I've heard you have to be careful of chrome flaking off. I wonder if the brass colored needles you have are solid brass or plated? The blue/black ones intrigue me. Could you post a photo of both kinds?

I would just examine the needle after play for any gunk if there's a lot of black fuff on the needle I'd be wary. Play a junk record and listen for wear.

Regards,
J.