Sixties equipment found - help me!

[Darryl]

Hello,

I love audio and all things tech (I'm a programmer), but I have found a bunch of audio equipment in my new house.

This stuff was left in the living room in the same way it was installed in the sixties, it has a bunch of receipts, most of the manuals, even letters to a sixties amateur audio magazine and the stuff seems cool, but I dont know if its worth anything and some of it I'm not sure what it does.

Here is what I can see;

A Garrard 401 Turntable

A Pioneer stereo Receiver SX-550

Pioneer Cassette Tape Deck CT-F2121

Ferrograph Type 634T, Serial No: C/50574 (Reel to Reel?) (Series 6 leather manual is here too?)

Reslosound Ribbon Microphone + Stand RBT/L (30-50 Ohms)

Stax SR-3 Headphones

Sme precision pick up arm series 2

There are loads of old metal tape reels, and lots of old tapes too.

A pair of wooden speakers from pioneer which seem to match the system, the speaker cover has a gold fabric over it.

Everything seems almost unused, but clearly it was but there isn't a scratch, bit of paint or anything I can spot, its in a cherrywood, or rosewood cabinet.


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From what I can tell from everything else in the house, money was never spared on things (Its all ancient mind) and everything seems to be the best thing available at the time...

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Any history, comments or any insight is welcome - I am based in the UK if anyone wants to come look!

 

[Darryl]

Jordan Watts -Gemini speakers not pioneer - there is a pristine manual

There is also a copy of a review of the headphones from August 1968 and another from March 1969.

The pick up arm is either 3009 or 3012 - again manuals are present

 

[BWG707]

Let's see some pics please. I love finding vintage equipment.

 

[Alex2507]

I know that the SX-550 isn't really a prize outside of being a cool piece of vintage gear. I have a 650. That turntable might be worth quite a bit to those that swing that way. The name on the speakers is familiar and TLS ought to be around soon enough. He's been around for a long time and might have invented the electron. Google your equipment to really get an idea of how it is regarded.

 

[tcarcio]

I second the pics. I would love to see them.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello,

I love audio and all things tech (I'm a programmer), but I have found a bunch of audio equipment in my new house.

This stuff was left in the living room in the same way it was installed in the sixties, it has a bunch of receipts, most of the manuals, even letters to a sixties amateur audio magazine and the stuff seems cool, but I dont know if its worth anything and some of it I'm not sure what it does.

Here is what I can see;

A Garrard 401 Turntable

A Pioneer stereo Receiver SX-550

Pioneer Cassette Tape Deck CT-F2121

Ferrograph Type 634T, Serial No: C/50574 (Reel to Reel?) (Series 6 leather manual is here too?)

Reslosound Ribbon Microphone + Stand RBT/L (30-50 Ohms)

Stax SR-3 Headphones

Sme precision pick up arm series 2

There are loads of old metal tape reels, and lots of old tapes too.

A pair of wooden speakers from pioneer which seem to match the system, the speaker cover has a gold fabric over it.

Everything seems almost unused, but clearly it was but there isn't a scratch, bit of paint or anything I can spot, its in a cherrywood, or rosewood cabinet.


---

From what I can tell from everything else in the house, money was never spared on things (Its all ancient mind) and everything seems to be the best thing available at the time...

---

Any history, comments or any insight is welcome - I am based in the UK if anyone wants to come look!

I assume you are in the UK, as that would be a most unusual haul of valuable equipment to find in North America. Am I correct in that assumption?

Your most valuable item is the Garrard 401 turntable. They are highly usable and collectible.

The Garrard 401, and the 301 that proceeded it, were the flagships of the Garrard line in their heyday.

If the turntable can be certified as being in perfect condition and perfect working order by an expert, then the turntable could fetch between $2000 and $3000, otherwise about $1200. Loricraft will purchase your turntable and sell it after refurbishing.

If the Garrard is to be used in a 60 cycle country the motor drive pulley will need changing.

SME series 2 arms are still fairly plentiful as so many were made. Depending on condition it will fetch from $275 to $350. Is the arm on the plinth with the Garrard, and is their a fitted cartridge? If there is a cartridge what is it? It is likely also collectible.

The Ferrograph series 6 is rare and highly collectible.

This is the last of the Ferrograph recorders based on the Wearite deck. It is much more valuable than the series 7 and logic 7 machines which sent the company broke. Your machine is from the Golden Age of British Audio.

The idler wheel will be goo by now and need replacing. This happens to all the Wearite decks. There are a number of sources for re manufactured idler wheels for the Wearite decks.

Now tape equipment is not as sort after as disc equipment. However rare machines can sometimes go for a surprising amount of money. I have a very rare Brenell Mk 6 deck with the parabolic tape path. I have only seen one come up for sale and it fetched around $2500.

Here is the Ferrograph site.

I would purchase Terry Martini's History of the Ferrograph company: - Built Like a Battle ship.

The Reslo Ribbon, is a famous microphone and also a collectible item. They were used extensively by the BBC for their announcers. They were also part of the PA system in just about every cathedral in England. They were in Downside abbey where I went to school. Unfortunately they are destroyed by blowing and tapping on them for test, so a lot bit the dust that way. I can not really come up with the value of that item, but if in good working order might surprise you.

The Jordan Watts speakers are rare and highly collectible. I was heavily involved with the Jordan Watts company.

The little full range 4" aluminum coned modular loudspeaker has always had cult status in the Far East. If you put the speakers up for sale you will probably get requests to part out.

Here is a link to my Jordan Watts page on my website.

You can download a brochure and listen to a stream of an interview I did with Leslie Watts, which goes into great detail about the history of the company.

If the speakers are in good condition and working they would be worth somewhere between $400 and $500.

The Stax phones are worth money, depending on the model. They are very high end electrostatic types.

The Pioneer equipment is not worth much, about $300 for the two items may be a little more.

Really think hard before you part with this extraordinary find. If you do, for Heaven's sake seek expert advice.

I own quite a lot of vintage equipment with you can see by clicking on my signature.

Here is a link to my vintage disc gear.

I need to get round to putting an album together about the tape equipment.

Please post pictures, and detailed ones please, as soon as possible.

You have been blessed with extraordinary good fortune. With that comes a big responsibility to history.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have found some good pictures and information on the Reslo ribbon microphones.

Your Stax SR-3 headphones are 1968 vintage. Stax of Switzerland are still very much in business.

This is your SX 550 which is 1978 or so, so newer than the rest. I Suspect the original powering was something older and rather better originally.

Your Cassette deck is 1975 vintage.

Yours was a superior deck of the period.

I have a CT-F9191, but it needs a new record/playback head that I have been unable to locate.

If it is in good shape your deck might fetch around its purchase price of $200 or a little more.

I do not have, and can not find a picture of the Jordan Watts Gemini loudspeaker. This is mentioned in John Borwick's report of the Audio Fair of 1968 at the [URL="http://www.londonrussellhotel.co.uk/"]Hotel Russel in Holborn in Gramophone magazine.[/URL] Jordan Watts were exhibiting on the fourth floor, Room 448, I see. We all gathered there faithfully every April. The place being alive with ideas and enthusiasm with many of the greatest names in the history of Audio available.

The oldest brochure in my possession is 1970. Each Gemini speaker contained two of the Jordan Watts modules in a ported enclosure, about 30" high. By 1970 the Gemini had become the Jodrell, in the same enclosure, but a dome tweeter was added above the modules. The modules were still full range, but the tweeter fed via a 2 mfd cap and a 50 ohm variable L-pad. I have a pair of Jodrells in storage that belonged to my late father in law.

The Geminis sold in 1968 for the princely sum of 80 GBP per pair. That would have been close to $300 USD then, so allowing for inflation quite expensive speakers.

The cabinets of JW speakers have excellent finish. The cabinets were made by the Hackney Coach Works, who did the woodwork for Rolls Royce at the time.

I find it interesting that the older equipment is of much higher quality than the more recent. May be this reflects a change in circumstances of the owner.

The older gear is representative of the very best of the era, and any of those older items would give the best of today a good run for its money if restored to original condition.

I have to feel there was some high end 1960s tube amp and FM tuner in this set up at one time.

 

[yepimonfire]

very cool setup there tls!

 

[Darryl]

Hello,

I will post lots and lots of photographs tonight, I still have receipts and manuals for almost all of them.

Unsure what I would plan to do with these, I am 26 so the items are older than I am - but they do sound very cool.

 

[3db]

This is way cool by any standards. Hurry up with those pics.

 

[Darryl]

This should work for everyone...

flickr.com/photos/52429377@N08/sets/72157624738380926/

Thanks...

Its amazing how skeptical people are!

 

[Darryl]

Just to add;

I would consider keeping them, but as I am 26 and my interest is more the cutting edge rather than the origins of, someone else may have a better home.

Also, this house I bought needs lots of work done, so this money could be better used buying furniture!

But I do want you all to be able to see what I found too.

 

[Pyrrho]

Just to add;

I would consider keeping them, but as I am 26 and my interest is more the cutting edge rather than the origins of, someone else may have a better home.

Also, this house I bought needs lots of work done, so this money could be better used buying furniture!

But I do want you all to be able to see what I found too.

Before you get rid of things, you might want to buy the replacement that is supposedly better first. That way, if you decide that the old stuff is better than whatever new thing you buy, you will still have it. Although that Pioneer receiver is not one of the higher end units, its FM performance, if it is still performing properly, may be better than most tuners made today, as many manufacturers now put garbage in for tuners. In the 1970's, FM was regarded as a serious source for music, and appropriate care was taken in the design of tuners. Newer does not always mean better.

 

[TLS Guy]

This should work for everyone...

flickr.com/photos/52429377@N08/sets/72157624738380926/

Thanks...

Its amazing how skeptical people are!

What a lovely exhibit that Ferrograph is! That is one of the best examples I have seen for a long time.

The Reslo Ribbon, is the type with the impedance matching transformer between the Mic and the base.

The SME arm is a type II and not a type II improved like mine and most are.

Is that the 9.5 inch standard arm or the much rarer 12" arm? I can't be sure from your photographs. Also I can't see if there is a cartridge in the head shell. Can you remove it and turn it upside down and take a photograph.

I think your Geminis, may not be factory, but made from JW plans, which were freely available. A lot of JW speakers are not factory. If it is factory, there should be a Boosey & Hawkes label on the back. I don't see one. They all had a JW label which was foil and often cam off, but the paper Boosey and Hawkes label never does, and if removed there would be evidence.

The other items are as I expected, in fact all are pretty much.

As far as the odds and ends. I can discern some items.

Of interest is a Decca Brush, which was an option to the ffss head and integrated arms, which suggests the owner has an ffss at one time. This item is rare and sought after. The ffss line has a strong following of enthusiasts.

You can see my Decca Brush here.

I can see the 45 rpm adapter that goes with the 401.

I can see what is almost certainly the AC connector plug to a Quad II preamp. The AC went to the preamp and then the power back out of the Quad 22 to the two power amps. The switch being part of the volume control on the 22.

This is further confirmation that there was a high end tube system with this amp at one time, and that is was almost certainly a Quad 22 and a couple of II power amps. There was likely a Quad FM FM tuner with it also.

I see a container for the brush and pad for the Cecil E Watts Dust bug, but I can't see if there are any parts in it.

I also see what I think may well be a transformer for Ortofon moving coil cartridges. I only see one, but there may be another in the box.

There are some assorted cables and some look as if they are DIN, but I can't tell for sure.

I would take photographs of everything in that box, so I can get a better look at it. Some of the items I have identified already are worth significant money.

I'm posting the link to your photo album here.

Since you intend to make these valuable items available for purchase, and since you are 26 with no knowledge of this era or equipment you are going to need the advice of an expert in rare vintage audio sales.

Where are you located? I will arrive in the UK on Sept 2 and leave Sept 15. I will be in the Medway towns, and if you are not way up north or far away, I would be happy to assist you.

 

[TLS Guy]

Before you get rid of things, you might want to buy the replacement that is supposedly better first. That way, if you decide that the old stuff is better than whatever new thing you buy, you will still have it. Although that Pioneer receiver is not one of the higher end units, its FM performance, if it is still performing properly, may be better than most tuners made today, as many manufacturers now put garbage in for tuners. In the 1970's, FM was regarded as a serious source for music, and appropriate care was taken in the design of tuners. Newer does not always mean better.

He will have to give a lot of money to improve on that gear!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Once again i'm simply shocked by the astounding wealth of information TLS shared with us and I think OP owes him a big favor...

 

[Darryl]

Hello again,

My this is all VERY exciting, and thank you to TLS too especially.

I do hope this doesn't sound like some fantastic story but I have done further investigation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52429377@N08/sets/72157624738380926/with/4899100054/

I have taken more photos, and have also found a SD-5 too.

The speaker boxes have no labels on BUT

This amplifier system you mentioned (Forgive me here!) I thought was junk! its still in place but it was built into the old fireplace which I am yet to figure out how to open, I can confirm there are two large speaker type units in the bottom with space for various other things should that be the place for them.

I have a photo of the amp/speaker unit in the fireplace in the gallery now too. Forgive the fact once of the bronze coloured plates is damaged - I took a hammer to this when I bought the house, and never meant to cause damage but the wafer thin separate bronze plate is buckled a tad but the big heavy look cylinders behind are untouched.

One thing to explain the mans interest/wealth - he had served in the British Secret Service - I have found his briefcase in the attic...

A big thank you to everyone, and any other information is welcome!

Anyone who wants to come and look is most welcome too, but it would need to be an evening or a weekend!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello again,

My this is all VERY exciting, and thank you to TLS too especially.

I do hope this doesn't sound like some fantastic story but I have done further investigation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52429377@N08/sets/72157624738380926/with/4899100054/

I have taken more photos, and have also found a SD-5 too.

The speaker boxes have no labels on BUT

This amplifier system you mentioned (Forgive me here!) I thought was junk! its still in place but it was built into the old fireplace which I am yet to figure out how to open, I can confirm there are two large speaker type units in the bottom with space for various other things should that be the place for them.

I have a photo of the amp/speaker unit in the fireplace in the gallery now too. Forgive the fact once of the bronze coloured plates is damaged - I took a hammer to this when I bought the house, and never meant to cause damage but the wafer thin separate bronze plate is buckled a tad but the big heavy look cylinders behind are untouched.

One thing to explain the mans interest/wealth - he had served in the British Secret Service - I have found his briefcase in the attic...

A big thank you to everyone, and any other information is welcome!

Anyone who wants to come and look is most welcome too, but it would need to be an evening or a weekend!

The speakers in the fireplace are two Jordan Watts modules Mk II. You have ruined one. I do have a few spare cones, and the factory jigs for building the module. I have built a huge number in my time. However I have about 14 chassis that need rebuilding and probably about 100 modules. The world's last stash. So I don't really need another chassis. Someone else just might have some cones but I doubt it. I was out of cones until about three years ago, when I obtained a some cones, voice coils and the beryllium cantilevers from the former JW Swiss agent. I had quite a few voice coils in any event.

There must be some odd enclosure behind those modules. I would rescue the remaining good module ASAP before it is damaged.

I would be almost certain your Gemini cabinets are not factory.

The Decca Brush is missing the mounting base unfortunately.

You have an assortment of cables.

The colored tapes are leader tape, and you have some foil for putting on the tapes to activate the auto stop of the Ferrograph. There is an editing pencil, so the owner must have been able to edit tape, although I don't see an editing block. Most British editors used the EMI Block, which is what I have used all my life. There may be one there someplace.

The is a Wearite demagnetizer, to demagnetize the head and tape path of the Ferrograph. I have one of those from the Ferrograph we used to have at home while I was growing up. I can't use it here because the voltage is wrong, but it carries memories.

You have the bottle of lubricating oil for the turntable spindle of the 401. They have oil cups that you remove and fill, and gradually screw down over time. Just like the system on the bearings of antique steam engines and some early gas engines that had exposed crankshafts and valve gear.

The flat plug certainly looks as if it belonged to a Quad 22.

The rest I can not really tell what it is without closer examination.

I can tell from your last pictures the SME arm is the rare 12" version for which collectors will play a premium. Those arms are among the few that can play the old WW II Victory discs.

If you tell me your location I can decide if it is worth my while to pop over one evening. I will be at Frindsbury Kent, right opposite Chatham dockyard, in full view of the building where Nelson's flagship the HMS Victory was built. Certainly going to some trouble to view these items is certainly worthwhile.

If you don't want to post your location on a public forum, please send me a PM.

 

[Darryl]

Hi,

I feel terrible for damaging the speaker now!

I am quite far from Kent! It's probably an eight hour drive sadly! I am in newcastle upon Tyne!

Not quite sure where to go from here? Do I visit an auction house? eBay? Should I keep it for years more, my financial situation is fine but the house needs decorated so I don't have a safe haven just now!

 

[tcarcio]

I am sure TLS would agree that if you auction these you need to find a specialised auction where people that know what you have will be bidding. Very nice find and thanks for the pics.