The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Has anyone ever seen a sapphire ball stylus with an odd shape like this to the shaft? It came with my Pathé VII. Most others are cyllinder shaped and not cut as this one. Any clues? Is this correct for a Pathé concert soundbox?
Thanks

Looks to me just like a regular Pathé stylus that someone filed half of its length. A Concert soundbox will take the fully cylindrical stylus (as this one probably was originally). This one might fit if the screw reaches to the filed surface.

CarlosV wrote:Looks to me just like a regular Pathé stylus that someone filed half of its length. A Concert soundbox will take the fully cylindrical stylus (as this one probably was originally). This one might fit if the screw reaches to the filed surface.

Ok I see the ridges now. Why on earth would someone do this?

pellicano1 wrote:

CarlosV wrote:Looks to me just like a regular Pathé stylus that someone filed half of its length. A Concert soundbox will take the fully cylindrical stylus (as this one probably was originally). This one might fit if the screw reaches to the filed surface.

Ok I see the ridges now. Why on earth would someone do this?

Hard to understand, unless someone had a machine with a needle fragment (or something like that) partially obstructing the chuck...

Bill

pellicano1 wrote:Why on earth would someone do this?

To reduce volume?
If they had a need to remove and replace the stylus, to ensure it was fitted in the same orientation each time?

Orchorsol wrote:

pellicano1 wrote:Why on earth would someone do this?

To reduce volume?
If they had a need to remove and replace the stylus, to ensure it was fitted in the same orientation each time?

I inserted it into my Pathé Concert Reproducer and tried it on a Pathé disc. It sounds bad!