The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A year or so back when I was looking, those Pathé tonearms were appearing on eBay with fair regularity. I bought a complete unit for $20 with base, good swivel, nice nickeled tonearm and the head sans stylus. I installed new gaskets and it plays good as new. They usually cost more and invariably need new gaskets. Just be sure the potmetal swivel is intact before you buy one.

One thing you have to remember about the Pathé is that it is a machine of the 'teens and is meant for playing acoustic, pre-1925 records. I tried playing electric records on my Pathé Actuelle and the paper cone can't handle the loud sounds. It is probably the same for the Pathés with reproducers and horns.