Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > August 1998 > 1998.08.28 > 15Prev  Next


Making Cactus Phonograph Needles
By Bill Finch

During the war (W.W.II) we lived in a rented house and the landlady's
daughter, Vivian, had a wind-up acoustic phonograph.  Vivian told me
that I could play her records but that I had to supply my own needle.
Vivian was 16 and had to buy her needles with her allowance.  I was 10
and had no allowance.

To make a long story short I experimented with cactus needles.  The
sound was fairly mellow and they lasted for about two plays.  I found
that I could extend the life to about five plays if I soaked them in
shellac for about a week and then baked them in my mother's oven for
about 15 minutes.  The sound from these treated needles was fairly
bright.

I ended up giving a batch to Vivian in trade for her copy of "Der
Fuhrer's Face" by Spike Jones.  (You really had to be there at that
time to appreciate it).  I still have the record and an aspirin tin
full of treated cactus needles.

Bill Finch


(Message sent Fri 28 Aug 1998, 20:35:31 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cactus, Making, Needles, Phonograph

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page