The PHILCO Phorum

Does anyone know where I can find a needle for the Philco 1947 D-10A dynamic phono cartridge? Or does anyone have a picture of the needle or a part number? One site (everythingradio) asks for what the needle looks like, but I dont have an original so I am not sure. Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi Warren, The needles in the Dynamic Reproducer cartridge are not made to be removed and replaced like conventional phonographs of the era, where steel needles would be taken out and replaced via a thumbscrew at the front side of the tone arm. If your cartridge is missing the needle, the whole cartridge will most likely need to be replaced, as the DR uses a special Philco only needle, and the mounting end has a different shape than conventional steel needles. Here is a picture of the underside of an original Dynamic Reproducer cartridge: http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread...reproducer

To quote our esteemed host Ron Ramirez in the same thread: "The bad thing about those cartridges is that the vast majority of them were ruined by people removing the original stylus and forcing a steel needle into the cone, ruining the cartridge. The stylus just pushes into the hole in the cone. The hole is made just for the special Philco stylus; a steel needle has a larger diameter. Once the cone is ruined in this fashion, the cartridge itself still has good continuity but it will no longer hold the proper stylus once the hole gets enlarged by a steel needle."

I am fortunate to have a 47-1230 console radio / phono with an original working Dynamic Reproducer tone arm. It does produce a much richer, more vibrant sound than the common steel needles of the era. You might want to check out http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/ where they have a vast selection of suitable replacement cartridges available.

Thanks for the info Greg. I will check that out. By looking at my phono's ( I have 2 for the 47-1230, D-10A) I didnt see a needle in them. I will have to take my time and look real well if they arent suppossed to come out maybe at least one of them has it in there. If not I will try to find a new cartridge. Thanks again, Warren

It looks like my 47-1230 phono has a Dynamic pickup cartridge and a needle in it. Does anyone know if this is the original needle that came with it ? It seeems to fit perfectly , only problem is it looks worn out. I also need to find another if there are any suggestions. Thanks for any answers I can get. Sorry for the out of focus pics... Warren

Hi
I think this is the needle you need
Joe




http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-NOS-Philco-D...0899675089

Yup, that's the one.

Whatever you do, do not - repeat - do not stick a conventional steel needle or one of those sapphire needles into that cartridge! Doing so will destroy the cartridge...and they cannot be fixed once the hole for the stylus has been enlarged by use of the wrong needle.

Wow, ask and you shall recieve...to bad the auction is over, I will send him a note and see if I can still buy it. Thanks, both of you for your help..Warren

I want to thank w4rtc and ron again...I was able to contact the seller of that needle and he posted it back on ebay for me to buy. it looks like the right one so hopefiully when I recieve it , it will turn out to be the right diameter, etc. Without you guys I probably wouldnt have found it. Thanks, Again, Warren

Hi Warren
No problem, glad to be of service. Let us know how it works out. Be sure to be gentle putting the needle in, be sure and go straight up with it and do not force it to hard.
Joe

Warren,
This stylus' shank is TAPERED. It slips in easily. Watch the 'front' of it... The rake (angle of attack relative to the record) must be toward the FRONT of the cartidge. If it doesn't seem to want to go in, find out why. Don't force it! If it seems to strike something hard, there is something in the socket. When they are right, these things sound GOOD!

Thanks Randy, I have the old one and the new looks the same. I will put it in just like the old came out. I just havent put it in yet as I havent finished the radio rebuilding yet and was waiting until it is ready to try the phonograph. I will let everyone know how it works out.

I wanted to let everyone know here that this needle was the right one. I cleaned up the record player and installed it in the cartridge and now the record player is playing 78's like a champ. I do need to adjust it so the tone arm will lift and go back when it gets to the end of the record though...Looks like this radio is coming along, slowly but surely. Wish I had more time from work to work on it but at least its getting there. Thanks everyone for their help. Warren

Excellent!

Hey Warren
Glad you got it working

Joe