I do try to change mine fairly often. I just inherited my DSIL,s 1985 Pfaff. She has never used. Her hubby did once in a while, and when he passed away she gave it to me. In a beautiful cabinet. We had it services and I was trying it out - sounded really bad for a just serviced machine. So I decided to change the needle. purred like a kitten. She said she didn't think the needle have ever been changed since 1985!! Maybe some kind of record! The needle will definately been changed more than once every 28 years!