ABSTRACT
Replaceable needles were a hallmark of the 78-rpm period. They were made of various materials: steel, chrome, fibers, thorn, cactus, sapphire, and diamond. Some needles were designed for a single play only (e.g., the Beltona), others played as many as 10 records (e.g., the Petmecky), and some went on to 20 or more performances (e.g., the Euphonic). With the popularity of the juke box in the 1930s there was improved needle design: alloy tipped shockproof needles came into use, capable of many plays. The diamond needle was theoretically nonwearable. And some sapphires, such as the one marketed by Neophone in 1905, were also “permanent”—advertised to play from 500-800 times. As early as 1906 there were nine types of needle available: three to play quietly, three to play at medium volume, and three types for loud playback. (These were sold by Universal Talking Machine Co. of New York.) Loud needles had rounded tips, and softer-sound needles had sharper tips. The problem with all metal and jewel needles was that they chewed up the record grooves. Fiber, thorn, and cactus needles were popular with collectors in the 1930s and 1940s because they produced minimal record wear, but of course the needles themselves wore out instead. They could be shaved for replay, and shaving devices something like pencil sharpeners were sold for the purpose. Victor sold a fiber “needle cutter” in 1909 that used a plunger action,“enabling you to use each fiber needle at least 10 times.” Major manufacturers offered a choice of materials; for example in 1924 HMV was advertising steel, fiber, and “tungstyle”—said to be semipermanentvarieties. The Petmecky Co. had the favorite brand-name needles of the acoustic period, made by the W.H. Bagshaw Co., of Lowell, Massachusetts. In the electric era the Recoton brand was among the most popular in America.
