The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

phonogal wrote: PS If there is something else you think I need to add to the questionaire, please let me know

Another item you might add: Spring motor or electric. My Actuelle has an A/C- only (induction) motor.
-bill

Thank you to members Pathé Logical and Schweg for adding their machines and to WJW. I now have 3 more questions/differences to add. 1)Tonearm end and needle chuck design type A or B. 2) Bell Flower design Type A or Type B. 3) Motor Electric or Wind up.

Tone arm and needle chuck Type A and Type B

Column flower design Type A or Type B

There are several differences in just the 4 machines on this page. I was thinking that maybe the side door and the speaker holes were changed from 5 to 6 after the first machines were made but that doesn't seem to be the case as Bobs machine has a lower serial number then mine and his has the side door and 6 speaker holes. It will be interesting to see how this model changed over the years it was produced.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Pathé Actuelle phonograph was not in production very long. It was announced in November of 1918 and lasted maybe into 1922 before the company went into bankruptcy. It emerged from bankruptcy and produced more phonographs in the 20s, but these do not have the cone speakers and are rarely found. Pathé first came out in 1923 with the New Pathé's, which had an oval spruce horn like Brunswick. In 1926, Pathé came out with four models of the Pathephonics to compete with Victrola's Orthophonics. They are rarely found. (Pathé Records and Phonographs in America. Copeland and Dethlefson, Mullholland Press, 1999).

marcapra wrote:One thing to keep in mind is that the Pathé Actuelle phonograph was not in production very long. It was announced in November of 1918 and lasted maybe into 1922 before the company went into bankruptcy. It emerged from bankruptcy and produced more phonographs in the 20s, but these do not have the cone speakers and are rarely found. Pathé first came out in 1923 with the New Pathé's, which had an oval spruce horn like Brunswick. In 1926, Pathé came out with four models of the Pathephonics to compete with Victrola's Orthophonics. They are rarely found. (Pathé Records and Phonographs in America. Copeland and Dethlefson, Mullholland Press, 1999).

Thank you for the information. I read somewhere that although it was announced in 1918, it was not available until 1920. It really wasn't available very long.

Are there no more Pathé Actuelle Model H phonographs in this group?

I have just acquired a model J Actuelle and will be working on its mechanics. I have ordered a new speaker cone (original one was repaired a few times) and will clean the motor, BUT . . . I have just discovered that the 0-80 screw that connects the tone to the sound transmission rod is missing. That is not a problem as I have others, but the rod itself has "turtled" inside the large arm that protects it on its way to the needle holder. Has anyone else had this happen? What I can see of it shows rust and nothing for the 0-80 screw to screw to. Does anyone have photographs of what should be there? I have done a lot of sleuthing on the internet but have not yet found any photo essays on this. It would save so much work to know what I am missing and whether the part I am seeing is replaceable or repairable. I do have a metal lathe and can fashion some parts as needed, but guidance would be such a leg up. Thanks for considering.
Oh yes, is the database that caused this thread available for viewing? The other things is that I can see none of the attachments that were once part of this discussion. That is disappointing.
Thanks very much,
Don