[Jukebox-list] Why the saphire needles?

[Jimmy Day]

Frank -

Good question; here's a long-winded answer ;-)

I would imagine there are still a lot of the sapphire needles out there, and 
theoretically they are cheaper to buy than diamond needles, although these 
are "man-made" gems.  I can't see how sound would differ.  Yes, the diamond 
needles last longer, but the sapphire needles are still a good choice for 
home use.

My Seeburg J book has the following info - for sapphire needles -

"Approximate Weekly Gross Receipts vs. Time to change BOTH needles : 
$25/week = 4 months.  $50/week = 2 months  $75/week = 6 weeks.  $100/week = 
4 weeks.  $150/week = 3 weeks."

This jukebox is set up for nickel play, six plays for a quarter.  According 
to the list, it's about $450. worth of plays will require needle change, so 
the math says about 10,000 plays. Does this assume both needles are played 
the same?  Usually, the "A" sides of records get the most plays.

It goes on to say that diamond needles will give many more times the life of 
sapphire, and the long-term cost is lower, but no specifics on number of 
plays.

I have diamond needles in the AY160, I have owned it for 14 years and still 
have the same needles, NOS diamond needles I installed when I bought it.  I 
check them every few months with a microscope, and rotate them side A to B. 
They will be due for replacement soon.