Pathé help

[McIntus]

New guy here. I wonder if anyone can tell me where I can find information on later Pathé models. I found a Model X in a junk shop, and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the project. The spring and motor need work and it needs a grill. Should I run the other way? Any suggestions will the taken in the spirit given.

[estott]

American Pathé phonographs are pretty common and the plain ones often go begging. If it's absolutely dirt cheap and the arm and reproducer are in good shape it could be worth tinkering with- otherwise I wouldn't. If you have Pathé vertical cut discs it can be useful, though you'll need a sapphire ball stylus. If you just have regular lateral cut records look for another machine- in my experience the american Pathephones aren't particularly good sounding.

Missing grilles seem to be a frequent hazard with these.

[MordEth]

McIntus,

Will the junk shop let you take a few photos of it? This might help you get a better opinion (from someone more informed than me) if you can post image(s) of it here (and the forum’s attachment feature should make that easy).

If you have any questions about posting pictures, please let me know.

— MordEth

[McIntus]

Thanks. The tone arm and reproducer appear to be in good shape. I'll try to get some photos and follow up.

[Shane]

See if the reproducer can rotate where it connects to the tonearm. There will be an elbow-shaped piece coming right off the reproducer, as opposed to a straight mount if this is the case. The later models have this "universal" head that can play standard 78s as well as the special Pathé vertical cut records.

I have a Pathé model 25, which is a boxy-looking table model. Its rather plain, and doesn't sound particularly fantastic, but I think its my favorite machine. There's something about it that I just really like.

[McIntus]

Here are some images of the Model X. It appears to have the Universal reproducer, but it won't turn and I'm not prepared to force it at this time. The grille is missing - can such things be found or made? The shop is asking $95 which I think is too high, but I haven't opened any negotiations yet. Is it worth restoring? I have no experience with Pathé, having always been a Victor man myself. Would it be able to play my Edison DD's (which I have never heard)? Lot's of questions, I know, and I appreciate your help.

[estott]

I'd leave it alone. That would be an OK price if it were a little better, but with a frozen tone arm, broken motor, missing grille, and the veneer missing on the motor board I don't think it's a good one. As I recall the grilles on these were pretty plain being mostly vertical bars. The Model X was one of the more ornate cabinets in the upright line which indicates that the cheaper ones were pretty plain indeed.

It would play Diamond Discs but you'll need a jeweled point stylus, and that's going to cost you around $30.00 if you can find one- to play Pathé verticals you'll need a sapphire ball. You can find good working Diamond Disc machines for less than it will cost to buy this one and fix it.

[Shane]

Well, I still think its neat. Yes, that is the universal head on this machine. A few things to keep in mind: the tonearm on these is actually made of brass, so getting it un-frozen will probably be successful (i.e. without the tonearm crumbling in your hand). I found that the only part of this setup that is made of pot metal is the ring on the reproducer that holds the gaskets and mica in.

I've never heard of using a jeweled point stylus for playing DDs on these... that's a new one on me. Interesting.

I have the sapphire ball for use with Pathé vertical discs. I tried playing a junked up DD with that stylus once, and it did work, but I was afraid to do it again for fear of damaging the stylus.

This phonograph is definitely for those up for the challenge of a "project"... no doubt about that.

[gramophoneshane]

You can buy a conical diamond stylus for these to play DD's, but they're more expensive than the machine.

[Steve]

Yes, that is the universal head on this machine.

I have the sapphire ball for use with Pathé vertical discs. I tried playing a junked up DD with that stylus once, and it did work, but I was afraid to do it again for fear of damaging the stylus.

Can someone please explain to me how the universal head works as it appears to me that the stylus bar is kinked out at 45 degrees for playing vertically cut records. If the head swivels around to allow lateral play, surely the needle will still be at 45 degrees to the record groove and not sitting dead vertical to it as it should be?

Regarding the sapphires, it is perhaps worth considering that they are one of the hardest materials known to man (apart from my head )so it is almost impossible to damage the tip by playing the "wrong" record with it. More likely that you might damage the record, although it would probably take a few hundred plays to have much effect.