Does anyone still supply Edison styli?

[menophanes]

Is it still possible to obtain styli, mounted on bars, for the popular Edison reproducers such as Models C and H? I am looking for both 2-minute and 4-minute types. Thirty or forty years ago these were readily available; today, by contrast, it seems to me that the only options are either to buy a complete reproducer (rebuilt or reproduction) or to send the existing reproducer to somebody in the U.S.A. for rebuilding. Neither a Google search nor one on eBay has produced any sign of a less costly and wasteful method of obtaining what I need.

Oliver Mundy. 

[alang]

Here is a thread with several sources for phonograph parts. One of the should be able to supply what you need. edisonphonos.proboards.com/thread/1675/links-parts-services

Good luck!
Andreas

[wagnerian]

Dear Oliver,

By your phrase "..someone in the USA..." does that mean you are located in Europe somewhere? If so, there are two options based here in the UK for getting replacement stylii and bars:

Expert Stylus and Cartridge Co.,
PO Box 3,
Ashtead,
Surrey,
KT21 2QB.
Tel:[phone]
There is no e-mail.
My price list is now about 10 years old but they would fit a new sapphire stylus in your existing bar for £32.22 for a 2-minute stylus or £36.08 for a 4 minute. They can also supply their own bars with new stylii for a couple of pounds more.

Otherwise you could try Keith Badman who is the acknowledged expert in Edison (and others) reproducers and a thoroughly nice chap to deal with, he is at:
9 Bouchers Hill,
North Tawton,
Devon,
EX20 2DG.

Tel [phone]

Best wishes

Tim W-W

[menophanes]

Thank you both for these suggestions, which are certainly more encouraging than any of the figures I have seen quoted so far (typically USD80.00-85.00).

Meanwhile, however, I have had very encouraging results with a 4-minute stylus, complete with bar, which I have improvised from materials which were lying idle at home. I wish to test this further before giving any details, but at least it has allowed me to hear several of my long-silent Blue Amberols with no outlay at all.

Oliver Mundy.

[edisonphonoworks]

This should work for the Blue Amberols as that is near the size most use to play Blue Amberols when digitizing them. I would Not play any wax Amberols however as that would surely ruin them with that amount of weight.

[nefaurora]

Don't forget about Steve Medved... He rebuilds all Edison Reproducers and sells parts for them as well.

Steve can be contacted at:

Steve Medved
E-mail: [e-mail]

Steve is physically located in the Orlando/Kissimmee Florida area.

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[phono]

Hello Menophanes.
In the UK, your best bet is Expert Stylus Company, P.O. Box 3, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2QD. Tel: [phone]
World-famous for their work and no Customs/Fees!
Best wishes,
Barry S.

[larryh]

I would suggest The Steven Medved source of Bruce Diamond Stylus. I went though many Expert Stylus that caused a lot of grief. Its one reason the Bruce Company was found to produce high quality stylus for Edison Machines.

steven_noreen@ msn.com

[dulcetto]

I agree with  Larry --  I  wouldn't touch Expert Stylus with a barge-pole.   Trust me -- three  times  in  the  past.  I  have had Expert fit new 2 minute sapphire styluses  to
original  Model C reproducer bars  and  each time  there has been issues with the stylus cutting into the record.  The first time was many many years ago and in my ignorance of youth
I assumed that  as this company advertised extensively in the collector's press at  the  time , they  must know what they are doing and consequently there must somehow be a problem
with my reproducer , although I could not really  see what that cause could be.   Around 25 years later , and  a lot  wiser ,  I was in need  of  a new stylus  to  replace an obviously
well- worn one ,  and  again contacted Expert Stylus Co.   You can imagine my disbelief when once again the  stylus  cut into  the  records and  produced  a  very fine  shaving .
 I  could  not believe it   recalled  all  my experiences  with  Expert of 25 years beforehand !   Now I  am  no  fool --  I  know  how  to assemble / dis-assemble  Edison  reproducers 
 and  have  worked  on I  don;t  know how many over the  years ,  as  they  nearly  always  need  new  gaskets  fitted when  they  turn  up " fresh " these days.
 When I  ran my finger over the new Expert sapphire stylus , I  could  actually  feel quite an apparent  edge on  the  button , which  in  my  opinion  was  the  cause of  the  damage  to
 the  cylinders.     This  time  I  took  the  matter  up  with  Expert --  and  they  had  the  AUDACITY  to  suggest  there was nothing  wrong  with  their stylus ,  but  the  trouble  lay  with
 my  cylinders --  the  fine  shaving being  removal  of  oxidization after  100  years  of  more.    I  know  what  oxidization  looks  like  --- funny  how  the  stylus  removed wax from
 previously  perfectly  fine cylinders !     No  doubt  their  stylus  would  be  fine  on  Indestructibles  ,  which  tend  to  wear  the  stylus more  rapidly  ,  but  I  was  actually  quite angry
 that  here was a company ,  father  and  son ,  who  purport  to  be  supplying  finely  manufactured styli.   Well  maybe  they  do  --  but  certainly  not  the  three  I  obtained  from  them.
  What  also  makes  me  suspicious  is that  they did  not  request payment  up  front as  one  would  expect , but  only  after I  was  satisfied  with  the  product.   Well  unless  there was 
  an  issue  with the  product  ,  why  would  I  have  an  issue  with  a product  claiming  to  be  perfect ?    STEER  WELL  CLEAR  !!