My Music Copying Pens

An old box of pens and one new Jinhao flex nib pen took me back on a long stroll form 1975 to about 1987 to gaze at the tools that I have gathered to record the symbols of music before the dawn of good and inexpensive versions of music writing software.
Starting with the simple pencil to my favorite mechanical pencil. Then came the age of the rollerball ballpoint pen that gave way to the dip pen and custom nibs. From there I fell for the curves of the rOtring Artpen fountain pen until I discovered the vintage flex nib Pilot fountain pen.Finally, after that long journey, I came to rest on the rOtring Isograph needle tip pens and ink. Still, I could not forget my first pen love and the India ink she left permanently shading on my soul. I needed to find another ground carbon ink with that deep sheen and opaque disposition. Now I have found it. my Platinum brunette: Carbon Black ink.
Platinum Carbon Black is as close to my beloved India ink as I have ever found in a water fast ink that won't destroy my fountain pens forever.
If you have time, let us share the journey.
I have tried many different types of pens and inks. I have challenged many different combinations to impress me and these are the ones in this video that I feel best suit my needs.
I started writing music with a pencil in 1975
I went to mechanical in 1977. I've been using Pentel Graphgear 1000 drafting pencils since 2007. I have 3 or four.
Ball point pens were the first copy pens I tried in 1977. If I ever use a ballpoint anymore it is a liquid ink rollerball from Pentel. I get the best ink
placement and line from them. I like sketching in blue or purple,
I've used dip pens since I was very young.Perhaps the late 60's maybe?. I started using fountain
pens in 1981.
The Music nibs are by Speedball from the 70's.
I use a Mont Blanc fine F 146 with MB Permanent blue (This pen is finicky about ink).
Or my Jinhao X450 F nib with Carbon ink. This pen will use anything I put in it.
rOtring Artpen with Carbon ink from a Piston adapter or syringe filled cartridge. Started using the Artpen from rOtring in 1999 or 2000.
rOtring Isograph Technical drafting pens were discovered in 1985 (they've been around for
decades). The Bauhaus Styling and the functionality are a delight. These are the best tech pens I have used. I have other needle tip pens but rOtring is the best. I use the rOtring black ink which dries fast and is permanent. I have about 10 of these. Expensive to buy, expensive to run but they are great pens.
Jinhao Flex nib 450 is a great entry level flex fountain pen but it has flow issues and ink preferences that make me want to move on to a better pen so I have ordered an Ultra Flex and feed from Fountain Pen Revolution. We shall see what the future holds.
I use a sonic jewelry cleaner to clear dried feeds and nibs. Turn it on and go for a walk or you'll have ringing in your ears for days.

[@stardust6999]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience in such detail!

[@fundukh6522]

Just to mention: there are fountain pens with a music-nib.

[@DNKG669]

(if only all these great pens were erasable)