Hi Andy, APSCO's loud tone needles continue to be a tried and proven item for my personal use and sales from my shop. I am not much of a fan of soft tone needles at all. I would estimate that APSCO's loud tone needles are, as Ron pointed out, virtually identical to early old stock Victor parts. Their soft tone needles are also like original Victor parts. The quality of their manufacturing has been constant in my experience. The only steel needles that I prefer more than the loud tone are the early Victor extra loud tone needles, but to my knowledge, no one is reproducing them. APSCO's needles are made from common carbon steel rod. I suppose that anyone should theoretically be able to manufacture them as long as their processes are consistent. I have never had a defective needle from APSCO. That is, the needles are always uniformly machined and are never characterized by the presence of excess metal or poorly ground ends.
The white gasket material that APSCO supplies (the same as Ron S and a few other folks out there) is like the original Victor material. It is natural white rubber, but I suspect that the modern chemistry now used may be more durable than the original Victor rubber. The dimensions of the tubing (inside and outside diameters) are right on the money. I have also used the tubing that Dwayne Wyatt's Musical Americana sells. I do not know the precise chemical composition of the white gasket material that Dwayne has, but it is definitely synthetic and I am convinced it has a significantly higher durometer. Dimensionally, the two are identical, but the synthetic material is more difficult to compress. But the effect of that difficulty is that once the reproducer's castings are secured, I can achieve much tighter clamping of the diaphragm edges which translates into noticeably better frequency response. It is noticeable to me, but I don't think that most people would really care to discern the difference - both are very good. Although I have not tested nor compared the durometer of either APSCO's or Dwayne's gasket material, I personally prefer the material that Dwayne sells because I can achieve the tighter clamping. I have also used both types on an innumerable variety of reproducers. My opinion is that the larger the diaphragm (say, like a big Pathe Concert reproducer) the stiffer I prefer the gasket, especially when it comes to the types where the front gasket is merely seated against the inner rim of the front casting. On the subject of the No.2 gaskets, without question, I think that APSCO generally supplies the superior part. The durometer of them seems right on the button - not too hard, not too soft, but you do have to deal with two halves unlike the originals (and I do not know of any makers of such a part either). I have not ordered any of these from Dwayne because most of the parts I have received from APSCO are fantastic. Sometimes APSCO will send me a bundle that have become out of round because of how they were stored/shipped, but a pot of boiling water and a quick dip generally gets them back to a nice circle. But, it is rare that I have ever had to mess with doing that. The other variety of gaskets for the No.2 that are out there, are, in my estimation, a bit too flaccid. APSCO's gaskets are again, natural rubber. But one of the other materials that I have seen used is a closed cell sponge rubber product. I do not know for sure if the material is neoprene or blended with nitrile, but I suspect it is pure neoprene polymer. They seal very well, but because their durometer is much lower than the rubber the diaphragm seems to float rather than have a nice tight pinching of its circumference. I might be splitting hairs to try to insist that one is better than the other, but for my money, I like the APSCO material because it is very much like an original part. I don't know if you had a desire to know about any of the black and/or fiber gaskets for other reproducers, but if you do, let me know...For now though, I need to get some shut-eye. Also, be careful if you buy new diaphragms. Walt Gettysburg Antique Phonographs -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andrew Baron Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 9:34 PM To: Antique Phonograph List Subject: [Phono-L] Steel needles, Reproducer gaskets Hi All ~ I'm hoping to tap into your vast collective experience to guide me on my next purchases of restoration supplies. I've bought from a couple of different suppliers over time, but have never made a quality comparison of new steel needles and also gaskets for rebuilding reproducers. Specifically, the white rubber tubing for Victor Exhibitions, Brunswick reproducers with mica diaphragms, etc., and also the red rubber gaskets for the Victor #2 (I need a new mica for this one as well). The red rubber gaskets I've purchased in the past are used in pairs unlike the one piece originals, and look like something available at a plumbing supply, although I've never looked for them outside of phono parts suppliers. I would greatly appreciate any guidance anyone can offer on where to buy the best quality new steel needles as well as these gaskets / gasket materials. Please reply to this at phono-l or off list if preferred, at [email protected] Thanks in advance for any insights. Andy _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list [email protected] Phono-L Archive http://phono-l.oldcrank.org/archive/ Support Phono-L http://www.cafepress.com/oldcrank -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.21/510 - Release Date: 11/1/2006
