The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

hillndalefan wrote:My Pathé Modele D has a very heavy reproducer and doesn't damage the discs--one of the advantages of the large stylus that came with them.
What I DO know about the Ultona soundbox is that the tone arm telescopes and is pushed back, the Pathé stylus turned straight forward to play Pathé discs. For Edison and lateral discs, the tone arm is extended to its full length. There is also a sliding weight, that I believe is pulled forward for
the Pathé discs, and shoved back for the others. Having the machine level is of great importance for this to work without sending the soundbox skittering across the grooves [the large stylus keeps this from damaging the record as well in this situation].

When playing lateral records with the Ultona, is not the tone arm to be pushed "back" into the elbow (and the balance weight forward)?

The only time the tone arm is "extended" is for Edison discs. It should be pushed back for Pathés and laterals.

As far as the sliding weight goes, Brunswick suggested having it all the way forward (heaviest) for Pathés and Edisons. I haven't found that necessary usually. I leave it about halfway for verticals and almost all the way back (lightest) for laterals. Works fine like that and probably is easier on records, I'd imagine.

Sean

The reason I was asking about correct placement is because of the following, taken from the original instructions (although I realize, in practice, that sometimes experience with equipment can trump manufacturer guidance).

With little experience in this area myself, that is why I was deferring to the rest of you...

Yeah, as long as you don't hear distortion (which you can if you're playing a really loud disc) with the weight set lighter, I never saw any advantage to having it all the way forward, except excess record wear. I have had to keep it forward for tracking some Pathés though.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:I never saw any advantage to having it all the way forward, except excess record wear.

Sean

I can see that... they are really heavy!

OrthoSean wrote: The only time the tone arm is "extended" is for Edison discs. It should be pushed back for Pathés and laterals.

As far as the sliding weight goes, Brunswick suggested having it all the way forward (heaviest) for Pathés and Edisons.

Sean

My instructions say all the BACK for Edisons. Also to be seen online: http://www.nipperhead.com/old/brult06.htm or here: http://home.comcast.net/~phonofilia/pho ... nswick.htm

ps- The patent shows a "liquid seal" for the tone-arm ... must check my Ultona arms to see if they used that! Maybe fill with 90/140 gear oil ?

pps - Should this be under "Machines" ?

I love my brunswicks and find them to be among the finest for producing a full sound that has a bit more depth than say victor of the period. I think the size of the diaphragm is most likely the reason.
I have a limited collection of Pathé records and have also experienced the skidding effects. There are some records that evidently develop some sort of damaged groove issue that causes them to skip no matter what. Oddly I have a number where only one side does that and the other plays fine. I always find that if the machine is very level and the weight is in the front position Pathé records in good shape will play well. I have used it for over 50 years and have some victor records that were found in the original sealed cartons back in the 50's. All are classical red seals. I have not noticed any difference in sound from playing them for that length of time.

I don't think the Edison side comes up to the sound quality of the Edison reproducer however. Its good, but not as good. But the Pathé machines I had didn't hold a candle to the quality of horn or sound that Brunswicks have.

Larry

I disagree
I have the Sapphire disks from Pathé , However there are 2 Types one that you can Play steel needle and some you can only use the sapphire ball stylus because of the way the were cutting the records. this is how those types were was made. one for example says Sappire cut record records meaning use only the sapphire ball stylus and the other says steel needle cut.


see this very informitive link
Pathé' records


http://www.capsnews.org/apn2011-3.htm