Pathé tracking issues...

[AmberolaAndy]

Ok I’ve encountered an annoying problem when I try to play some of my Pathé sapphire records. Sometime the record doesn’t track and the tonearm slides across the record to the other side of the machine. Did I buy a bad sapphire? Or is it from groove damage due to someone attempting to play the record with a steel needle? I think I once again wasted my money and bought a stylus in dubious condition.

[phonogfp]

The thing with playing Pathé records is that the machine must be absolutely level.

George P.

[AmberolaAndy]

The thing with playing Pathé records is that the machine must be absolutely level.

George P.

So when it’s not level this happens?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5albuEiUT5E

Guess my dresser isn’t very level...

Learn something new everyday...

At least I know what I’m doing wrong.

[CarlosV]

Ok I’ve encountered an annoying problem when I try to play some of my Pathé sapphire records. Sometime the record doesn’t track and the tonearm slides across the record to the other side of the machine. Did I buy a bad sapphire? Or is it from groove damage due to someone attempting to play the record with a steel needle? I think I once again wasted my money and bought a stylus in dubious condition.

The most important cause of Pathé records slippage is a worn record. A worn record will make the arm slip even when it is perfectly level. A worn stylus can damage the track but normally does not contribute to the slippage. I suggest you check the wear of the records - the ones that look dull will be the ones prone to slippage. If you are playing French Pathé's, the older center-start are more susceptible than the later production, in particular the smallest sized 8-inch records, these were made with a very shallow track and unless in near mint condition will be slippery as a skating ring. The US-made Pathé's in my experience are more resistant to slippage, I rarely have problems in playing even worn records.

[epigramophone]

Ok I’ve encountered an annoying problem when I try to play some of my Pathé sapphire records. Sometime the record doesn’t track and the tonearm slides across the record to the other side of the machine. Did I buy a bad sapphire? Or is it from groove damage due to someone attempting to play the record with a steel needle? I think I once again wasted my money and bought a stylus in dubious condition.

As Carlos says, centre start Pathés are more prone to skating as centrifugal force tries to fling the reproducer outwards, and the smaller the record diameter the more likely it is to skate.

Weight is also a factor. On a Pathé machine designed to play their records this should not be an issue, but if you are using a Pathé reproducer and adapter on a goose-neck tonearm the stylus pressure may be insufficient to prevent skating.