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Post by walrus on Aug 7, 2008 20:48:10 GMT -5
I recently purchased an HMV 109 on something of a whim, as I'm really much more familiar with Edison machines. As such, I'm having a bit of a hard time getting used to the disposable needles. Too my great surprise, four tins of NOS needles fell out of the horn when I got the machine home, so I have so far been spared the need to purchase any. However, I don't know what to make of the results the different needles are giving me. Two of the tins are Mis Master's Voice "soft tone" needles, one is Columbia "soft tone", and the final is Zon-O-Phone. The HMV needles are much thinner than the Columbias, even though both are soft. The Zon-O-Phone tin is still sealed and I have yet to open it. What confuses me is that the HMV needles don't merely sound soft, they sound bad--lousy sound quality and lots of needle scratch. The Columbias give much better results, and have a lot less scratch as well. Is this normal? Both are name-brand, vintage needles. Is it possible that I'm using the needles incorrectly somehow?
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wolfe
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by wolfe on Aug 7, 2008 21:49:59 GMT -5
Since you describe the needles as being very thin, perhaps they are too thin to effect any sufficient action on the diaphragm to get a good tone. Beware "NOS" needles as well, if they've been used, it may be hard to tell by eyesight alone. If you've inserted the needle all the way and tightened the screw, there isn't any other way to use them "correctly."
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Post by maroongem on Aug 8, 2008 7:03:50 GMT -5
Walrus,
The thinner the needle, the softer the tone as you already have found out. Those can be great when you are playing your loudest opera and don't want to cheese off the neighbors!! The HMV 109 is very similar in appearance to the Victor VV-IX which has a smaller horn than their uprights. Your soundbox is probably due for a rebuild and adjustment. I believe they came with a No. 4 soundbox and aren't too difficult to rebuild.
Bill
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