Newbie...Pathe Stylus Question

Greetings,

I am a new member of this forum. I just inherited a 1917 Pathephone Model 75 with about 10 Pathe records. In theory, it should have a sapphire ball stylus. Right? I assumed that was the case with mine until I saw a picture of this stylus on the internet, comparing it to mine. Now I'm doubting it has the sapphire ball. Attached is a picture of my stylus. The machine plays the Pathe records fine...I think, not having anything to compare it with. Any opinions or suggestions to identify what I have?



If the picture isn't clear, I can take another close up.

Thank You In Advance,
Greg

I'm, by no means, an expert on Pathe' phonographs, but I know that there were a number of different styles of Pathe' stylus shanks produced over the years. Most of the ones I've seen resemble the one for sale on this page --

http://www.phonographs.org/store/produc ... cts_id=161



The tip, itself, should fit the record's groove, and have a rounded, blunt "point." That's the important part. There were diamond styli mounted on shanks used to play Edison Diamond Disc records. They were supplied for many of the off brand machines designed to play "all types of records," such as Silvertone Phonographs. The Diamond Disc styli are much smaller/finer than the Pathe' ball tips. Along this line, sapphire tipped styli were also sold for playing 78s on electric phonographs.

If you see any signs of wear, such as black powder on the tip, stop using it.

Joe

Joe,

Thank you for the response. Your response makes sense. The picture of the sapphire ball is what I was seeing too, and I will probably buy one of these to contrast the Pathe record play.

Greg

Yes, as Joe says, the sapphire should have a ball shaped tip and not a sharp angled face! Beware though, there are some dodgy "new old stock" and "newly manufactured" Pathe type sapphires doing the rounds on eBay and elsewhere. These are not sapphires but GLASS and they shred your precious record grooves in seconds!

STEVE wrote:Yes, as Joe says, the sapphire should have a ball shaped tip and not a sharp angled face! Beware though, there are some dodgy "new old stock" and "newly manufactured" Pathe type sapphires doing the rounds on eBay and elsewhere. These are not sapphires but GLASS and they shred your precious record grooves in seconds!

Hi Steve:

It's GREAT to see you back!!! I miss the old gang who used to post here in the Acoustic Gramophone forum -- you, Shane, Neophone, sentjourn, TripleSpring, and all the other gramophiles. It was an eclectic group, if that's the term, and there was always something of interest to discuss. Now, virtually all of this site's activity involves jukeboxes and electrically amplified equipment.

In any event, thanks for the confirmation. As I noted, I don't know very much about Pathe' phonographs, but I'm about the only one left who checks this forum daily now. Along that line, if you spot something of interest, or have something to discuss, etc., PLEASE post.

JDS

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Greg:

I think that's a good idea to purchase a stylus specifically designed for use on Pathe phonographs. As Steve notes, using the wrong one can seriously damage your records. By the way, I couldn't quite tell from the photo, but it looks like there are fine cracks running through the rubber gaskets holding the mica diaphragm in place, indicating that the rubber has turned hard. If this is the case, you should replace the gaskets with a soft, fresh pair before playing too many records. In addition to reducing record wear, fresh gaskets will make a tremendous difference in the sound quality of your phonograph.

JDS

Hi Joe!

Thanks for the enthusiastic welcome. Yes, I AM back with a certain certainty. I stopped posting on here some years ago when it became obvious that none of the regular posters were "gramophone" or "disc phonograph" collectors or people who appeared to have much interest in the same. I would like to help "promote" Phonoland to collectors with a similar interest and would be interested in hearing any ideas you have as, apart from the Talking Machine Forum, there is not any other civilised forum where the participants' first language is English, apart from this one. I agree it would be good to get the old gang back on here! I have sent you a PM with some more details about this. Regards, Steve

Hello Greg,

Welcome to the forum and I will leave you in the capable hands of JDS and Steve, by the way welcome back to the forum.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Thank you for the welcome and the responses. I am looking to buy a replacement Pathe sapphire ball stylus, I see one website (old phonograph parts/services site) that sells them in the US. Not sure if it is "kosher" in this forum to call out the name of this site. Any suggestions how to identify legit sellers and products of this type?

Thanks, Greg

Greg,
Since the purpose of this forum is to help, I have no problems with you and others starting a list of "Kosher" suppliers, in this, or any other section. In fact, I have done just that in the "jukebox section".
Ron Rich

The best source is probably Phillipe LeRay in France as he sells genuine "new old stock" sapphires. He is on eBay: "ple-ray"