The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here's a bargain! There is a speaker company that is re-coning these now.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/clt/2220881255.html

Do these have the same mediocre motor as the Pathephones ?

I have been wondering what these Actuelles are worth lately. I was contacted a few months ago from someone trying to sell one he inherited from his Grandfather. He didn't know a thing about the "Victrolia" aside from the label that said it was a Pathé Actuelle. I went for a look and was pleasantly surprised at the condition. It looked VERY clean with the only issue being it was in need of a good dusting. He had over 100 Pathé records with it all with sleeves and in good condition. I was honest with him and told him that they weren't common phonographs, but they do show up occasionally for sale. I wasn't sure of the market value and knew little about the Actuelles aside from general knowledge of the speaker, etc. I told him that the value of his records could be all over the board ranging from a dollar or two each, to quite a bit more for any rare selections he may have. Because I didn't know the value of the phonograph aside from a ballpark guess and didn't go through all the records I was reluctant to make an offer for fear of it either being unfair to him or possibly overpaying. He thanked me and decided to ask $500 for everything. I figured that was more than a fair price considering there were so many records, but wasn't in a position to buy it at that time. He said he would hold onto it and if I ever was in the position to pay $500 to give him a call.

Sorry that was so long winded. Long story short, I am still not in the position to buy it. (Kids!) But if anyone else is interested in more pictures and may possibly be interested in buying it, send me a PM and I would be happy to help out. It looks like it would be absolutely beautiful if dusted!

Here is a diagram of the motor. This is out of a Pathé Actuelle instruction manual.

I had a Pathé Actuelle machine with the Lumiere horn a number of years ago and as long as the paper cone hasn't been compromised by tears, they sound quite good. The pillar & plate motors in these machines were well made in my opinion and easy to work on.

Bill

JohnM wrote:Here's a bargain! There is a speaker company that is re-coning these now.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/clt/2220881255.html

If I were still in the NYC area, I would LEAP onto this one. Somebody within driving distance, go get it !! Even though I have officially banned any more mahogany phonos from the house, for $99 you cannot possibly go wrong.

Mine cost $300, over 24 years ago (if I correctly remember so long ago!) . Funny that another one turned-up last Summer, within 2 blocks of where I got mine. Once restored and adjusted, these make for very pleasant listening.

Here in Holland, this would fetch at least 1,000 euros, even with the Lumière diafragm in this condition. HMV's model 461 with the flat Lumière resonator will set you back at least 3,000 Euros, even with a less than perfect diafragm. So, go for it, before some trader finds out and sells it for silly money to the far east.

These late Pathés can sound remarkably well, often outperforming far more 'advanced' gramophones. A friend of mine has a comparable one, but with normal arm and soundbox. It sounds nothing less than amazing, with full range dynamics and a lot less surface noise than most other gramophones of the time. Somehow Pathé must have found a way to extract great sound with seemingly agricultural methods.

ColoradoPhonograf wrote:Here is a diagram of the motor. This is out of a Pathé Actuelle instruction manual.

Is that a Paillard motor?
It actually looks like a Thorens motor, but I've never seen a Thorens with a threaded crank.

These machines were fitted with Otto Heinemann motors. Most Actuelles are found with OkeH (the Motor of Quality) model 33 motors, though I've seen some late consoles with the somewhatimproved model 66.

My Tudor Art model has the 66, as did the Sheraton onsole hat I once owned.