Ordering Gramophone Needles
Using a clean sharp gramophone needle is important when playing your valued 78s. The needle controls the volume and can affect the working of the motor. Changing to a new needle frequently is essential. It is best to change the needle for each new side played, but you may get away with two or three playings before real damage is done. The point of the needle goes to the bottom of the groove and the polished side of the needle comes into contact with the recording as vibrations on the groove side. If the needle is old it becomes “chisel ended” and that can cause damage to the groove and hence ruin the record.
Some gramophone needles are becoming difficult to source, these include “extra soft tone” needles and both types of fibre needles, bamboo and thorn. Modern versions of the fibre needles are often not hard enough to play through a regular 78 and supplies of original, unused stock are running out fast.
The NEW prices for new steel needles are as follows:
- £7 for 100
- £20 for 300
- £30 for 500
- £55 for 1000
These prices include the increased cost of postage WITHIN THE UK
Customers from outside the UK, please send me an email with your order and I will send you a PayPal invoice for the total cost including postage. The cost of sending as small package to the US is now £5 and for Europe £4.
UK customers can use this method too if preferred. Steel needles are supplied only in packets of 100 needles (I can’t supply split packets).
Please note that the prices quoted are for new steel needles only. Fibre needles are harder to source and prices are outlined below.
Steel Gramophone Needles can be supplied in FOUR “tones” which allows you to control the volume produced.
- Extra Soft Tone, the quietest needle to play your records. (Diameter 0.8mm)
- Soft tone for reduced volume (recommended as it cuts down damage to the record and drag for the motor). (Diameter 1.07mm)
- Medium Tone (usually requested) for normal use. (Diameter 1.34mm)
- Loud Tone for increased volume. (but also increased drag) (Diameter 1.6mm)
“Fibre” needles can be either from bamboo or thorn wood. Bamboo needles are triangular in section and need a suitable sound-box with triangular hole to accept them. Thorn needles are round in section like steel needles. Fibre needles can re-sharpened several times whereas steel needles cannot. Fibre needles are used to reduce surface noise and wear when played.
Bamboo needles are £8 for ten needles
Standard “medium” modern thorn needles are also £8 for 10
Prices include postage.
Payment methods
PayPal – The safer and easier way to pay online, just use my email address, or you can pay by cheque if you prefer
Please make cheques payable to “Martin J.Sleep” and Not “John Sleep Gramophones”
Or you can pay by direct transfer: To; Martin Sleep. Sort: 07-02-46 Acct.: 26117391 (Personal account)
For customers outside UK: IBAN : GB23 NAIA 0702 4626 117391 CODE: NAIA GB 21
My postal address is:
Martin J Sleep, Stoke House, West Pentire, Crantock, Cornwall. UK TR8 5SE
Telephone number: 01637 830 415
Mobile number: 07979 097 389
e-mail address is: mjpsleep@btinternet.com