Rube Goldberg (funny as h*ll) On Pathé From My Collection

[FellowCollector]

The recent Vicsonia reproducer want ads in the Yankee Trader section as well as the Foolish Questions comments here in the Music section prompted me to share a video on my YouTube channel that I posted years ago. For those who have never heard Rube Goldberg...he was funny as h*ll...well I think so at least, considering this recording.

This was his only recording that I'm aware of and was (and is), unfortunately, a bit noisy in spite of the surface looking like new. I'm guessing the master was worn or noisy. Oh well. Feel free to skip past my intro to the actual recording which begins at the 6 minute mark if you're in a hurry. Enjoy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8thTk_zy_A[/youtube]


Doug

[estott]

Here is one of his "Father was Right" strips. Goldberg was also drawing for Pathé newsreels at the time, which is why they recorded him. They promoted it as "His Own Song - In His Own Way"

[Phonofreak]

Doug,Very interesting history and thanks for sharing. The Vicsonis reproducer is for Edison records, not Pathé. The Vicsonia reproducer has a sharp diamond point, specifically for the Edison DDs.. The Pathé stylus is a round ball. If you play your Pathé record with either a Pathé machine or an adapter, it will sound so much better. There are many adapters available to convert either a Victor or a Columbia machine to play Pathé records. If you continue to play Pathé records using the Vicsonia reproducer, you will ruin them.
Harvey Kravitz

[VintageTechnologies]

Doug, I have noticed that most American Pathés are kind of noisy, even when they are shiny and clean. The noise is masked somewhat by a loud recording, but it is more apparent on the quieter vocals.

The French center-start Pathés have quieter surfaces due to a different and softer shellac composition. Even when visibly worn with gray grooves, their surface noise isn't bad.

[FellowCollector]

The Vicsonis reproducer is for Edison records, not Pathé.

Thanks for your input, Harvey. I've never had a problem with injuring any of my Pathé verticals using my Vicsonia reproducers. This particular recording is noisy (and always has been) even when using my modern turntable. I have many other vertical Pathé's that play very nicely and with little noise using the Vicsonia and with no discernible injury to the grooves under magnification.

Doug, I have noticed that most American Pathés are kind of noisy, even when they are shiny and clean. The noise is masked somewhat by a loud recording, but it is more apparent on the quieter vocals.

The French center-start Pathés have quieter surfaces due to a different and softer shellac composition. Even when visibly worn with gray grooves, their surface noise isn't bad.

I completely agree, Keith. I have also noticed the center start Pathé's seem to play just beautifully.

[Phonofreak]

That's your choice. I know from experience that the Vicsonia has a sharp point for Edison records. I have an adapter on my Victor with the correct ball stylus and it plays both American and center start Pathés loud and clear. The ball stylus fills the grove properly and the Vicsonia fills the groove partially, hence the noise and hash.
Harvey Kravitz

[estott]

I am agreeing with Harvey- if your Vicsonia has a sharp point please stop using it on Pathé records, especially au uncommon one like the Goldberg. Get an adapter with a ball stylus.

You say "I've never had a problem" - well, the person who has your records after you might have different opinions.

[FellowCollector]

That's your choice.

Correct. I stated that I see no injury to my Pathé records using the Vicsonia and I stand by that.

You say "I've never had a problem" - well, the person who has your records after you might have different opinions.

The topic here was about sharing an amusing Rube Goldberg recording on Pathé. Not about whether I should or should not be using a Vicsonia reproducer for my Pathé records.

I stated earlier that the record was a noisy pressing well before it came into my possession.

I also stated that I see no wear from using the Vicsonia reproducer on my Pathé records under magnification.

So we differ on our opinions about using a Vicsonia reproducer on Pathé records.

I appreciate the comments but I won't change my mind or my usage of the Vicsonia reproducer. If I thought I was injuring my Pathé records with the Vicsonia reproducer I would not use it on them.

[Phonofreak]

When I heard the record, that noise and hash sounded really bad. That's how I knew the Vicsonia will not sound right. I guess you are lucky with the other Pathé record. All I can do is give information and advice, not to contradict. If others want to listen and pay attention, that's fine. If not, no skin off of my nose. I for one will use my Vicsonia reproducer on my Edison DDs, and my Pathé adapter on my Pathé records.
Harvey Kravitz

[Lucius1958]

Here is one of his "Father was Right" strips. Goldberg was also drawing for Pathé newsreels at the time, which is why they recorded him. They promoted it as "His Own Song - In His Own Way"

I have read of the animated films: unfortunately, none of them seem to have survived, afaik.

Bill