The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The 'tone arm' contains a connecting tube which runs between a conical metal stiffener plate that sits in the apex of the diffusor cone and the stylus bar which is held in place by a pair of stout coil springs, so the diffusor and the tube within is under compression. The connecting tube within is, as I said in a previous post, hollow and made from extremely thin material that could easily collapse or bend if not under compression. The ends that make contact with the diffusor and the needle chuck assembly are formed into thinner solid rods. I haven't closely examined one in 8 or 9 years except for where it exits the arm to make the contact with the diffusor cone, but it is probably about 3/16" diameter along the hollow part, the solid ends perhaps ⅛" diameter. I suppose the arm could still be called a 'tone arm' as it is serving the practical functions of one, and is technically transmitting sound vibrations albeit through a solid rather than a fluid (air).

John M

Thanks John M.

I think I can grasp what you're saying here (although a few pictures would certainly help ) and it is indeed, similar to the Lumiere albeit on the latter the "bar" is parallel to the diaphragm and not perpendicular to it as in the Actuelle.

I think it would be really great for someone to do a 5 minute instructional video of how to properly position all of the parts in order play a record correctly, and then offer up a selection so we can hear how it sounds. I have been fascinated reading about these recorded sound oddities for years but have never seen or heard one play. If someone does complete a video for Youtube demonstrating a Pathé Actuelle, please report back here under a separate thread so we can all enjoy seeing it.

solophoneman wrote:If someone does complete a video for Youtube demonstrating a Pathé Actuelle, please report back here under a separate thread so we can all enjoy seeing it.

John and I have discussed making instructional videos a couple of times, and while we do not have access to one of these Pathé Actuelle machines, I think this is a great idea, and I’ll have to encourage him doing at least one with one of his phonographs, as well.

If someone is interested in taking this suggestion and putting it in a new thread, I’ll start a section in the archives to link to the video thread(s), like I did with the directions and manuals.

I think that this type of content would be a valuable addition to the other useful information already found on this forum.

— MordEth

Here is a Pathé Actuelle that Don IV is holding for me in Dallas that I bought off craigslist. He sent me this video and although it has a little work to go... sounds pretty good. Don said the brake arm is tapping under the platter. Don is tops! Don, if you are out there I'm coming in April!

You can find it at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx0dmWXLcsM

There is a stud under the turntable that kicks the brake when the trip arm drops at the set position. That is probably what is tapping . . . something is not in the correct position.

John M

Since there seems to be interest in the mechanics of these machines I scanned one sheet that came with the machine and was included with the Instruction book.

Here are some points of interests in the tone arm and cone as illustrated in the Instruction book.

Wonderful! Thanks for posting this! And I always thought that the "transmission rod" was under compression. Shows what I know!
John M

John M,

Thanks for all your observations and experiences shared about these machines. I've seen a few here or there but have never had a chance to do any "hands on" play time with such an odd machine. I have learned a lot and have enjoyed reading about your machines as well as the others who have made comments about them. Just for fun I also scanned the Packing list that came with the machine, I thought I would share that as well.
Happy collecting everyone,
ColoradoPhonograf