GRAMDECK CONVERSION FROM RECORD DECK TO TAPE RECORDER, 1950's

This was placed on the turntable of a standard record player with a 78rpm, a small peg was mounted on the gramophone deck which located into the gramdec base to hold it steady. The cable attached was connected to the pre-amplifier supplied, and this was in turn connected to an audio power amplifier. A microphone was supplied which could be used via the pre-amplifier for recording. Cost 39 gns, RRP when first introduced.

Your comments:

• I have the original flyer, order form, info and return envelope you sent away for via the newspaper also the original "cutting" dated 14/4/59 ......cost £13-12-0 (or easy terms) ...Mike
  .......... mike penny, bristol, 15th of February 2015
  
  
• 2 items of information:
  (A) There are 2 models of deck with different capstans.
  The 'mark 1' has a built-up capstan. It did not record at any of the standard tape speeds. The mark 2 has a solid dural capstan that is slightly smaller in diameter than the mark 1. The mark 2 runs at the standard speed of 7.5ips at 78 rpm.
  (B) The electronics were designed (and built?) by W.H.Sanders (Electronics) Ltd of Stevenage Herts. There are at least 2 marks of circuit. Note the drawing numbers and their titles appear to be out-of-sequence. From their blueprints:
  (i) Drawing B.3555/C is "CIRCUIT DIAGRAM MKII GRAM DECK PRE-AMPLIFIER". In the Modifications box it dates Issue 1 as 6.1.59 and Issue 2/Mod 1 as 30.4.59. The cct diagram also states "UK Patent Applied for - UK19526", Drawn ITG Mardlin, Traced <unsigned>, Checked RxBryant, Approved xVG Lusher (x=indecipherable). It does not identify the transistor types. My copy is date stamped 27 JUN 1963.
  (ii) Drawing B.4100/045 is "CIRCUIT DIAGRAM GRAM DECK PRE-AMPLIFIER MK.I A.M.". In the Modifications box it dates Issue 1 as 27.1.60 and has no subsequent MODs. The cct diagram states "Circuit Patent Applied for UK19526", Drawn DGxxxx, Traced M.O'B <sic>, Checked <unsigned>, Approved <unsigned> (x=indecipherable). It identifies the transistor types: Tr1 = XB102, Tr2 = XB102, Tr3 = OC320/330. My copy is date stamped 30 APR 1963.
  
  .......... john holmes, bishops waltham, 27th of December 2011
  
  
• I had a Gramdeck on trial in 1962 and I'm pretty sure the price was circa £14.
  
  On "pop" music it worked well but but on classical, with its inevitable quiet passages, the hiss on playback due to the permanent magnet erasure was too obtrusive so I returned the unit.
  
  It really was fun though and it did introduce me to - and develop an interest in - tape recording which I still do on a Philips reel-to-reel and three cassette recorders by Memorex, Denon and Technics.
  
  I HAVE heard of Compact Disc!
  
  I found the Lustraphone microphone to be very "plummy" sounding with not very good fidelity which didn't matter as I recorded direct from the radio.
  .......... Bertie, Carmarthenshire, UK., 11th of August 2011
  
  
• Ran at standard 7.5ips if turntable was at 78rpm,no other standard tape speed was available,I see 39Guineas mentioned,never that dear sold for well under £20
  .......... Bob Balser, Great Wakering Essex UK, 15th of July 2010
  
  
• I remember seeing these advertised in the Radio Times. It seemed like a great idea and I tried to persuade my Dad to get one, but 39 guineas was serious money in the early 60's. He later did actually get a proper tape recorder ( a Marconi model) and I still have it. It just about works. That was how I got into electronics engineering.
  
  If I remember correctly, these kits were sold by the firm of ANDREW MERRYFIELD, who also sold kits of parts to make furniture (Furni-Kit). My Dad actually bought one of those, and made a nice book-case.
  .......... Colin Carroll, Langford, Bedfordshire., 31st of October 2009
  
  
• A tape DECK you can add to a GRAMophone. I can remember them being advertised and think they ran at a standard tape speed of 3.75 inches/second provided you used the right speed setting on the Gramophone - you could get other tape speeds but they would not then be standard.
  .......... John Bishop, Bath UK, 1st of September 2009
  
  

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