The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all,

This weekend I got my Pathé Actuelle (Sheraton model) up to full speed with all three kinds of styli (steel needles for vertical records; sapphire-typed for Pathé verticals; diamond-tipped for Edison Diamond Discs). I am also the owner of a 1926 Victor orthophonic phonograph (a "Granada) and an Edison Sheraton Diamond Disc player with an Edisonic reproducer. I can now make direct comparisons to see how the Pathé Actuelle cone measures up.

Someone on another Pathé thread (a few months back) gave his opinion that the Pathé Actuelle would not hold up against the Victor orthophonics or an Edison disc player. I find that he was right. The Pathé cone does produce a nice, mellow tone, and for some electrics and acoustical disks it produces a pleasing result. But it can't be denied that the result is rather one-dimensional and flat, whereas the Victor orthophonics (and Edison disc players in playing their own records) break out the various instruments/voices much better and clearer.

Still, the Actuelle is an interesting part of the phonographic story and I'm pleased to have one. Its motor is a dream (cranks so easily and runs so smoothly) and its start/stop mechanisms quite ingenious.

Ralph

Thanks Ralph. I find the Actuelles interesting machines also and hope to add one to my collection some day (if I can find a place to put it )

Clay

Thanks, Clay. I sure do understand your statement that if you bought a Pathé cone machine, where would you put it? The Sheraton I bought was several inches wider than the Victor Granada (4-4) I also own. I didn't mention this above, but the decision I took was to remove the motor box from the Sheraton cabinet (with motor, turntable, and the mount for the cone) and have it stand alone on top of my spinet-sized player piano. After all, the Pathé Actuelle cabinet has several doors that open to let as much of the cone's sound escape--so it's even better (speaking acoustically) to remove the motor box entirely as in this model the cabinet is just so much extra bulk, good only for the record storage on its right side.

Usually I don't "amputate" a phonograph. I just don't have the room for another large 1920s cabinet phonograph--but I DID want to have the Pathé Actuelle mechanism to be able to have its versatility. I've saved the cabinet, and perhaps someday(when the last child moves out) I can reunite the phonographic mechanism with its cabinet and give it some serious floor space.

All best as you search for an "Actuelle!" Talk about an "odd duck" brand. Pathé fans have to support each other.

Ralph