Strange! Pathé Columbia AT knockoff with strange reproducer?

[USlakeside]

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Phonographe-a-roulea ... 500wt_1182

[gramophoneshane]

It's the "I sing loudly" (je chante haut et fort) according to Google translate

Most Pathés were close copies of Columbia machines, but I cant say it's a model I've come across before, nor have I seen that type of reproducer on a Pathé before either, but I guess it has to be some sort of amplification reproducer that...sings loudly lol.
Thanks for posting, it's an interesting machine.

[estott]

That's a Bettini Microphonograph reproducer:
http://www.worldofgramophones.com/bettini.html
or one of the pot metal copies.

[SonnyPhono]

Wouldn't mind having that Bettini reproducer someday.

[Sidewinder]

These first Pathé's had a type AT casting that were boxed by Pathé. Sometimes on the casting was still the Graphophone logo, and sometimes not.

The reproducer that is turning to dust is not Bettini but a Bettini inspired (ie copy / in the style of) item. As one can see, it is of very inferior quality.

I'll try post catalog excerpts of both

[Guest]

Maybe not really a poor copy but if it is a Bettini (fallen on hard times)it is not that bad of a buy. Bettini contracted with Pathé (and some other firms on the side) to produce a less expensive reproducer which would incorporate his theory of the "spider" needle assembly with multiple attachment points on the diaphragm. The sound quality is not too bad and it still provides more volume. Too bad the reproducer is broken but a good repair would at least allow the sound to flow again. The case holding the reproducer is original and these cases are rare to find. In all the price is not too bad. It is unfortutnate the fellow did not have the reproducer repaired first, clean up the case with minor wood oil, display the cylinders even if moldy as boxes are interesting, then do a few minutes of research so the Ebay site could allow a better presentation. Oh well, the purchaser will enjoy. Hawes