The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all...I need some help. I have a line on a Pathé upright that looks from the pics similar to a 20's Brunswick or Columbia type with the cloth covered wood grill, etc. My question is this... will this machine play regular shellac 78's or only those 90rpm Pathé records than I know nothing about? Any general info on these machines as well as specific things to look out for would be greatly appreciated! Machine itself looks pretty clean from the pics and is tempting me...

Glenn

Late model Pathé machines play regular records. Pathé was then, in the USA only making conventional records, just like Victor and Columbia.

By 1926-1927 Pathé was only making records in the US. "Pathephonic" machines were on the market but despite being marked Brooklyn NY these were made in Plymouth Wisconsin. I've only seen them in pictures but they look like a typical Credenza Clone of the era.

"PLYMOUTH RADIO & PHONOGRAPH CO.

One of the most important manufacturing industries in Plymouth is that of the Plymouth Radio & Phonograph company, which started in business in 1919, in the building originally occupied by the veneer company and later Mr. KADE.

The company specializes in manufacturing and selling the Plymouth Super-single radio set and the Pathephonic phonograph. The former is a seven-tube, single dial control radio set, which, by reason of its simple construction and superior workmanship, produces excellent results and has given general satisfaction to all purchasers. The Pathephonic is an unusual instrument, the company holding its own patent of special devices which make this equal to any high class phonograph on the market.

The officers of the company are as follows:

President and general manager - W. H. THOMMEN
Vice-president - H. W. BOLENS
Secretary-Treasurer - F. D. McINTYRE"

I'll probably catch some flak for this, but here goes anyway...

I have a Pathéphone VII upright that is nearly identical to an Edison S-19 Sheraton, in terms of cabinet appearance.

The later ones do have a swivel reproducer that will play traditional lateral-cut records as well as Pathé vertical cut ( provided you have the correct sapphire stylus ).

Mechanically, they are not as robust a machine as a Victrola or Edison... the sound is okay for a small machine, but I could never get the single-spring motor to run evenly or pull through even a 10" record.

They are an interesting machine, but personally I would not spend big bucks on one for a regular playing machine. A Victor or Brunswick are better machines, in my opinion.

Check that the veneer and cabinet joints are tight, and that there is no missing hardware.

Yep, I agree. I have seen a number of Pathés locally and never was impressed by the rather primitive cabinets and size of the horn. A good brunswick will give you many more advantages as playing all types of records, a well made silent motor, quality horn and cabinet. Plus Pathé records can be difficult to purchase since evidently there are a few aggressive buyers out there for the few records to be found.

Larry

larryh wrote:Yep, I agree. I have seen a number of Pathés locally and never was impressed by the rather primitive cabinets and size of the horn. A good brunswick will give you many more advantages as playing all types of records, a well made silent motor, quality horn and cabinet. Plus Pathé records can be difficult to purchase since evidently there are a few aggressive buyers out there for the few records to be found.

Larry

I suppose you are talking of Pathé products of the 1920s about which I know nothing. Pathé machines from earlier in the century are well made, and discs are still plentiful available for little money.

I was speaking of the American production Pathéphone of the 1920's...

Can't imagine mine trying to pull a 12" center-start Pathé record all the way through at 80-90 RPM...

I would hope that the pre-War exposed horn machines were of more substantial quality and performance.

I would like to investigate an Actuelle paper-cone machine someday...

I think you'll find there's a huge quality difference between American & French Pathé's.
Still, I dont think your motor sounds typical of the few US made Pathés I've seen Frank, so I'd say there's a serious problem with your motor.
Apart from the obvious governor adjustments, I'd start by checking your spindle bearing,then other bearings & gears for wear. The spring may have also broken in the past & been shortened too much.

I own an american made Pathéphone #29 (thanks to Brianu). I will post pictures soon. Even though mine only has a noisy little one spring motor I've been able to play my only 12 inch center start record with it no problem.
Andeas

gramophoneshane wrote:I think you'll find there's a huge quality difference between American & French Pathé's.
Still, I dont think your motor sounds typical of the few US made Pathés I've seen Frank, so I'd say there's a serious problem with your motor.
Apart from the obvious governor adjustments, I'd start by checking your spindle bearing,then other bearings & gears for wear. The spring may have also broken in the past & been shortened too much.

When I got the machine ( a friend gave it to me), the motor was all in pieces in the bottom of the upper cabinet... I managed to piece it back together... one or more of the governor springs was broken, so I shipped them off to Wyatts for replacement.

The cabinet is missing all its little "Beaux-Arts" dripping vine appliques, and has some other issues, so I held back on investing any significant sums of money on the little beast.

I think my example has a Heineman motor ( It's a pillar & plate job), I'll see if I can grab some pics of the motor and post them.

I put new rubber in the reproducer, and the machine sounded decent enough, but I was so discouraged by the dodgy performance of the motor, that I just put it aside...