The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Do Pathé machines only play their type of record or can they also play normal 78s? Is this reproducer meant for regular 78 or the Pathé type?

This is the only picture I have. A guy I repaired a Victrola for bought this. He says it sounds like crap and I think because it is the wrong reproducer for the records he is playing.

That Pathé reproducer is a universal type. The head swivels to lateral and vertical positions. That one looks like it's in the lateral position. Be aware that the arm and connector are pot metal and usually have swollen to the point where you can't turn the reproducer. It may be repairable but it's not usually a quick fix.

Thanks for the advice. I obviously don't know much about Pathé machines.
Dave D

Pathé reproducers usually are designed to be rotated, but that one is in a vertical cut orientation. If the arm were mounted, the reproducer face would be pointing straight ahead. For lateral records, it would point to the side.

This image shows a Pathé reproducer set for vertical cut records. Yours would look like this if it were mounted: https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/364/1404 ... &width=512

Here's one set to play laterals: https://www.letgo.com/en-us/i/phonograp ... 6365cec7cc

Incidentally, I'm not sure your arm was designed for rotating the reproducer; can't really tell from the photo, but it looks as if it may not have been.