The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have the opportunity to purchase this machine for, well, let's just say, under $100.00. It plays, the motor works but the cabinet is not that great and there is a tear in the cone. It's within driving distance of my house.

What do you think it will take to get it back in nice shape with a good cone? Is anyone make new cones? Do you think it's worth it?

Thanks.

Marty

Personally I’d be all over it, because the Actuelle is on my “most wanted” list next to a Credenza.

The Actuelles are interesting machines, but the more I look at this the less I like it. It's great that the mechanics are there, but that's not unusual. The cabinet is mostly OK, but the stain around the decal inside the lid makes me think it's probably been refinished. The veneer on that one side will be a challenge too. Inside the cabinet, it looks to me like those are regular office filing trays, not real record storage, but I could be wrong.

There's a guy in the radio world named Buford Chidester who made cones for these in the past. (Mostly he makes replacement cones for old radio speakers.) I'm not sure if he's still making them. You could try to repair the cone as well; there are various techniques for this.

You would also have to decide whether or not you wanted to bother getting a Pathé stylus for this.

52089 wrote:The Actuelles are interesting machines, but the more I look at this the less I like it. It's great that the mechanics are there, but that's not unusual. The cabinet is mostly OK, but the stain around the decal inside the lid makes me think it's probably been refinished. The veneer on that one side will be a challenge too. Inside the cabinet, it looks to me like those are regular office filing trays, not real record storage, but I could be wrong.

There's a guy in the radio world named Buford Chidester who made cones for these in the past. (Mostly he makes replacement cones for old radio speakers.) I'm not sure if he's still making them. You could try to repair the cone as well; there are various techniques for this.

You would also have to decide whether or not you wanted to bother getting a Pathé stylus for this.

It appears to be stripped, rather than refinished.

Stripped? Doesn't matter at this point. Needs veneer anyway.

I'd say go for it. It's a nice-playing machine when restored and is a lot more 1920s-looking than the usual Victrola & Grafonola machines.

If you have a bunch of clean Pathé discs, and a jeweled stylus, then no more changing needles!

I would agree...go for it. These machines sound great.

Even with the problems that is still worth the $100.

When I got my Actuelle a few years ago, the cone was in similar condition. Mr. Chidester made a new one, and it's played beautifully ever since.

I'd advise grabbing this. They're uncommon machines, and though it would take some work to restore this, it would be very much worth the trouble. Whether you'll want a sapphire stylus for vertical discs is up to you. I've never bothered getting one. It plays lateral records very well with ordinary steel needles.

Marty Bufalini wrote:I have the opportunity to purchase this machine for, well, let's just say, under $100.00. It plays, the motor works but the cabinet is not that great and there is a tear in the cone. It's within driving distance of my house.

What do you think it will take to get it back in nice shape with a good cone? Is anyone make new cones? Do you think it's worth it?

Thanks.

Marty

Worth varies. If you want this type of machine, have the space and are capable and willing to do the cabinet restoration, then it is probably well worth the money. If it is just a good deal that you hate to pass up but not something that you truly want, have the space for and will restore, then passing may be the best thing. If you decide to pass, you might consider posting the contact information so that someone that truly wants it can get a chance to have it. Just my opinion. The only Pathé that I seek is an Elf and space being in short supply, I wouldn't buy a machine that I didn't really want.

these horns even if damaged often sound really good , they are also remarkably easy to repair virtually unnoticeable