The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I acquired a Pathé Model XII and have two questions. I've attached two pictures that hopefully are viewable.
First, is the reproducer a 'universal' model that will play relevant non-Pathé (such as Victor) records with the right needle? If yes, what needle is proper for use?
Second, the grill work shown (broken) was put in place by a previous owner with non-original frame material. This raises a question: is the grill I have original for this model? And was there a material backing behind the grill? If anyone who owns this model can provide me a picture of an original grill, I'd be most grateful.
Thank you in advance to all help provided.

It is a Pathé soundbox for playing Pathé records , it won't play Pathé records with the steel needle that is in situ just trash them , to play Pathé records it needs a Pathé stylus

Thank you for the prompt reply. Once I know what I have in regards to the grill, I'll happily set to refurbishing my first Pathé. Can't wait!

This is more like the grill it should have

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-1919-Ma ... 1137521435

To play lateral cut records on your Pathé you will need one of these, a 90 degree adapter fitted with a conventional soundbox :

Again, thank you for your generous help. What's interesting is that three old framing pieces were with the grill pictured and it appeared someone intended to replace the framework with new wood but stopped after cutting three sides. If this grill is not original, what machine, make and model, would this grill be from?

epigramophone wrote:To play lateral cut records on your Pathé you will need one of these, a 90 degree adapter fitted with a conventional soundbox :

Possibly not. Most of the US Pathé models had a swivel joint in the tonearm to allow playing laterals.

Could the original poster please post photos of the entire tonearm so we can say for sure?

Here is a picture of the entire tonearm. Thanks.

A Pathé V11 on the forum in 2013 has a similar grill to the Ebay Pathé V11 item above . although not very clear from the pictures

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=11671

Nick Charles wrote:

P9266358 entire tone arm.JPG

Here is a picture of the entire tonearm. Thanks.

Yup, that's a universal tonearm, currently set for vertically recorded discs like early Pathé. To play laterals (i.e., "regular 78s"), you loosen the thumbscrew and rotate the reproducer and its bracket clockwise until it stops, then tighten the thumbscrew again. it looks really weird, but it works. Do be aware that the joints are likely swollen pot metal, so you may not be able to rotate the assembly well and it's best not to try to force it. You can always try heat or cold to get the joint moving again.

And of course, when using the lateral setting, you would usually use steel needles, not the Pathé sapphire ball stylus...