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tangential tonearm

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 2:04 pm
by snallast
There aren't a lot of tangential tonearm models out there / I'm intrigued by this one, how does the arm move, is it simply moved by the record grooves? That would cause a lot of wear on the records no? And why the two options of horns? Interesting machine!

Any ideas? It's up for auction in i bit.

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 2:08 pm
by alang
That is cool, even converts from internal to external horn. Very interesting. If you decide to get it, please make it a featured phonograph.

Andreas

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 5:12 pm
by snallast
I won't be able to get this one... if anyone is interested below a link to the auction house.

The only other tangiental tone arm I've seen is that experimental model of the Lumiere 460 with a built in radio, it has the smartest tangiental system I've seen so far. There's a youtube video of it playing, too bad they never produced it in numbers, what a machine!

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/ ... d8b4f6fb3b

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 10:02 pm
by OrthoFan
I'm wondering if that detachable horn might have been for making home recordings, considering all those levers, etc. and what looks to be a feed-screw.

I know that there were a few acoustic disc recorders produced during this era such as the "Pathepost" and the "Acoustograph" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUR8NnYmIbI

Others are mentioned here: https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=333


OrthoFan

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 5:07 am
by Marco Gilardetti
I am also of the opinion that this machine is not intended to play back industrial records, but to record and playback its own specific records.

Quite obviously, as you have already devised, a generic record that doesn't have the same exact thread of the arm's feedscrew would be severely damaged.

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:01 am
by Orchorsol
I don't think there is a feed screw, just guide rails to maintain parallelism. Unless I'm missing something? Can anyone see a drive system from the motor?

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:27 am
by CarlosV
I would not call it an arm, but I have a Pathé diffusor (the one with a paper cone and the needle in its center) in which the cone moves tangentially. It is attached to a rod that allows it to move linearly, pushed by the disc grooves.

I also remember seeing a you tube video of an English portable with a system similar to the one shown above, with a telescopic arm that stretches and contracts.

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:19 am
by estott
CarlosV wrote:I would not call it an arm, but I have a Pathé diffusor (the one with a paper cone and the needle in its center) in which the cone moves tangentially. It is attached to a rod that allows it to move linearly, pushed by the disc grooves.

I also remember seeing a you tube video of an English portable with a system similar to the one shown above, with a telescopic arm that stretches and contracts.
The so-called "Fixed Tone Arm" gramophone - it was a rubber tube that slid in and out of a metal tube. Ridiculous gimmick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNH_UU6-Q4

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 10:48 am
by JerryVan
Orchorsol wrote:I don't think there is a feed screw, just guide rails to maintain parallelism. Unless I'm missing something? Can anyone see a drive system from the motor?

I agree with you. I see neither a feed screw, nor a means to drive one.

Re: tangential tonearm

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 10:56 am
by emgcr
snallast wrote:

The only other tangiental tone arm I've seen is that experimental model of the Lumiere 460 with a built in radio, it has the smartest tangiental system I've seen so far. There's a youtube video of it playing, too bad they never produced it in numbers, what a machine!
Here is that clever machine in action : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qASnGZzwbZM

The one under review seems to be a little questionable in design although the full details are rather indistinct from the photos. As Orchorsol says, there does not appear to be a feed screw. Similarly, the HMV/Lumière relies on the record grooves alone for progressive linear motion. The Ecuator appears to have a trip working an auto-stop but quite what the inverted hook on the front of the tonearm rest (if it is indeed such) is for is anyone's guess. Sound quality is unlikely to be very good as it must be nearly impossible to keep the tonearm airtight whilst still allowing unrestricted concertina motion. The seals for the guide rod passing through the tonearm would also further impair performance.

It is always fascinating to see lateral thinking and this must be an extremely rare item.