Pathe Vertical Discs

[walrus]

Never having encountered a working Pathe disc machine, I was wondering what kind of sound quality they put out. How does it compare to contemporary Edison and Victor records? Why would your average American phonograph purchaser eighty years ago have opted for Pathe over more established domestic formats?

[neophone]

Pathe over more established domestic formats?

Walrus,

I've heard people say they sound great, however I've heard clips over the internet that sound a bit "thin" in comparison to similar clips of laterals or Edisons. I have one 12" Pathé that some friends and I were unable to play on modern equipment. The U-shaped grooves are very shallow! taht being said I don't think I'd pass up a nice Pathé offered for a reasonable price if it came my way.

Regards,
J.

[ultona]

Well, a nice, properly rebuilt reproducer designed for playing Pathes et al and a good sapphire point stylus and you'd be pretty surprised with how good and, in fact, LOUD they can sound as well. They do have a sound of their own, though, it's a unique sound, and hard to put into words!

Sean

[steve432]

hard to put into words

Try: "better than a Victor/HMV or Edison or Columbia" ;D

I have Columbia and HMV machines as well as a contemporary Pathe horn machine. In all honesty, the Pathe is way better than anything from its contemporary time. As a well-known author has pointed out on numerous occasions, the Pathe Freres concern produced an astonishing range of products for all markets and all budgets. From "Billy Basic" to distinct "bourgeois". Check out the Pathephone No. 16 for the latter!

No other company in the Talking Machine business had such a wonderfully diverse range of products. The Pathe vertical system sounds vastly superior to the Victor / Edison / Columbia systems that I've heard / got. And all my machines have rebuilt soundboxes done by me so the test is a fair one, I believe.

I trust this answers the original question?

Steve