Pathé Questions

[jimmantwo]

I have no knowledge of Pathé machines but am interested in a local machine for sale. Are these capable of playing common 78s with a Pathé reproducer? I need a Pathé primer. Thanks and excuse my ignorance.

[Lucius1958]

It depends on what model you're looking at.

The earlier Pathés were set up for vertical discs only, and would require an adaptor for playing lateral records; later models had a reproducer that could be swiveled into either position. The "Actuelle" models, with their paper cone, could also be adjusted for verticals or laterals.

Bill

[De Soto Frank]

I have a Pathéphone VII upright. It has the reproducer that swivels on the arm, as mentioned above by Lucius, and will play regular lateral-cut records, as well as Pathé` verticals.


I will go out on a limb and suggest that if it's an internal-horn Pathé`, or an "Actuelle" machine, it will probably play laterals.

I would think that the external horn Pathé` machines would play only vertical-cut records.


I am not impressed with the rather dinky Heineman "Flyer" motor in my Pathéphone.


Any pictures of what you're considering ?

[52089]

It depends on what model you're looking at.

The earlier Pathés were set up for vertical discs only, and would require an adaptor for playing lateral records; later models had a reproducer that could be swiveled into either position. The "Actuelle" models, with their paper cone, could also be adjusted for verticals or laterals.

Bill

Two things to watch out for on the Pathé machine with the swivel head reproducers. First, make sure that the tonearm is still attached to the base and is rotating freely. The pivot on these breaks easily, allowing you to lift the tonearm out of the socket. It's still useable like this, but may cause some record wear from increased friction.

Second, the tonearm and the reproducer mount are usually pot metal that have swollen up and can be very hard to separate. This alone might be a reason to pass.

[FloridaClay]

. . . I will go out on a limb and suggest that if it's an internal-horn Pathé`, or an "Actuelle" machine, it will probably play laterals.

Alas, you may want to gingerly crawl back off that limb. Several internal-horn Pathé machines did not have the swiveling head -- my Model 75 for instance. Adopters to allow playing laterals on those machines do show up on eBay from time to time and can probably be found at the bigger phono shows.

Clay

[jimmantwo]

Thanks for the replies. Here are some pictures.

[estott]

That machine does have a swiveling reproducer, but I notice what appears to be damage- I'd be very cautious trying to adjust it. Replacement parts are available, but it it's damaged that should mean a discounted selling price.

On the plus side the grille is intact- for some reason a lot of Pathés like this are missing them.

[FloridaClay]

It looks like a WWI era Model 10, selling then at $120.

The cabinet looks rather handsome to my eye, and in pretty good condition. However, the tone arm looks to me as though it has been broken not far behind the reproducer with some sort of crude home-brew repair, which would reduce the value because you would need to find a good replacement. Pathé parts are not nearly as easy to come by as Edison or Victor. Were it me I would check with George Vollema to see if he has one and what the cost would be before making an offer.

Clay

[52089]

Thanks for the replies. Here are some pictures.

The reproducer shown is in the vertical/Pathé position, but there's a steel needle in the chuck, which means there's probably no Pathé stylus included with the machine. You can expect to pay around $35 for one of those.

Also, the swivel joint on the reproducer should have a thumbscrew and a metal collar that hides and protects the joint area. This machine looks to have a regular screw and no collar.

I think George V. quoted me something like $75-$80 for a replacement tonearm and bracket, but I eventually found one on ebay for less.

[De Soto Frank]

. . . I will go out on a limb and suggest that if it's an internal-horn Pathé`, or an "Actuelle" machine, it will probably play laterals.

Alas, you may want to gingerly crawl back off that limb. Several internal-horn Pathé machines did not have the swiveling head -- my Model 75 for instance. Adopters to allow playing laterals on those machines do show up on eBay from time to time and can probably be found at the bigger phono shows.

Clay

Good to know, Clay !

The machine in the pictures looks like it's had some damage / repairs at the swivel-joint. The reproducer head is presently in the vertical-cut position. To play lateral records, it should swivel clock-wise about 90* to 120*, so that the axis through the needle-bar pivots is at right-angles to the record face, and the diaphragm is facing downwards (about 4 o'clock) towards the record, at about 45*. Looks weird when set-up to play lateral-cut discs.

Aside from that, check-out the cabinet for loose glue-joints, loose / damaged veneer, and the usual finish issues with red mahogany furniture (crazing / alligatoring). I think the cabinets for these machines was made by the same company that made the S-19 Sheraton cabinets for Edison (?) ...

Regards,

Frank