UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Specific Vintage Equipment > Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc)

Notices

Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 26th Jun 2017, 10:16 am   #1
PenelopeCrewcab
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 3
Default Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Hi all,
I have just bought a beautiful Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.
I have tried google to get info on this item but can't seem to find anything, so I thought I would ask you all.
Many Thanks in advance
Michelle
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	19400071_10213846554416881_8891893421202390832_n.jpg
Views:	130
Size:	69.8 KB
ID:	145160   Click image for larger version

Name:	19399140_10213846580657537_5937015853768424883_n.jpg
Views:	166
Size:	52.8 KB
ID:	145161  
PenelopeCrewcab is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 11:20 am   #2
'LIVEWIRE?'
Rest in Peace
 
'LIVEWIRE?''s Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton)
Posts: 7,306
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Monarch is the Brand name of the BSR Autochanger fitted to that Radiogram, not the model name of the complete set. I didn't know that Fidelity made Radiograms, having only ever seen radios and portable record players of that make. However other members may recognise the set and be able to identify it. There should be a label of some sort either inside or on the back of the cabinet with the make & model info., but it may well have dissapeared after possibly 60 years!
'LIVEWIRE?' is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 11:21 am   #3
electrogram
Heptode
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hereford, UK.
Posts: 719
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

It dates from about 1954. A fairly standard five valve radiogram. I have one getting in the way in my kitchen at the moment, chassis repaired but awaiting deck overhaul and cartridge fitting. Mine is the lift up lid version, rather than your bureau version, but the BSR deck is the same as is the tuning scale, probably the same radio chassis, mine has octal valves, but I have seen them with B9A valves, still the same tuning scale and similar chassis.
electrogram is online now  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 11:23 am   #4
Nuvistor
Dekatron
 
Nuvistor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 9,427
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

The cabinet reminds me of those that could be bought in the 1950's ready to put your own record player and radio chassis into. In fact it looks very similar to a cabinet my dad bought and did just that with it.
Where are the words Fidelity written? The record player deck would have been made by one of probably 3 companies, Garrard, BSR or Collaro, someone on the forum will know which one.
A photo of the radio chassis may help identify it.

Frank
Nuvistor is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 11:27 am   #5
electrogram
Heptode
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hereford, UK.
Posts: 719
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Just had a look on the back, mine is an RG16
electrogram is online now  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 12:00 pm   #6
PenelopeCrewcab
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 3
Default

Update on my cabinet:
Found the plate on the back and have taken more photo's {attached!}
Model RG1X Serial No: 1639
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	19495630_10213854188887738_982905018_o.jpg
Views:	120
Size:	41.1 KB
ID:	145162   Click image for larger version

Name:	19549787_10213854189447752_3648743_o.jpg
Views:	120
Size:	44.0 KB
ID:	145163   Click image for larger version

Name:	19549637_10213854189767760_220774287_o.jpg
Views:	126
Size:	47.0 KB
ID:	145164   Click image for larger version

Name:	19495704_10213854186527679_2007031136_o.jpg
Views:	124
Size:	37.6 KB
ID:	145165  
PenelopeCrewcab is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 2:02 pm   #7
Edward Huggins
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Whilst the BSR UA6 dates from 1954 onwards, the AC/DC chassis looks from an even earlier period. Please be careful, this chassis is not isolated from the mains. What are your plans for this?
__________________
Edward.
Edward Huggins is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 5:03 pm   #8
PenelopeCrewcab
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 3
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Hello,
I was thinking of keeping this one but just wanted to know if anyone knows anything about it!
PenelopeCrewcab is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 5:15 pm   #9
paulsherwin
Moderator
 
paulsherwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,786
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

It does have a slight 'man in a shed' construction quality, so I wonder if it has been assembled from subassemblies. The radio chassis looks more late 40s than mid 50s. A closeup photo of the tuning scale may help us date it.

The electronics are likely to be quite simple and easy to restore, but you will need to have some basic work done before using it. Don't just plug it in and hope for the best. Take heed of Edward's warning - these live chassis designs can be dangerous for the inexperienced.

It is very likely that the record deck will need a new cartridge if the original one is still fitted.
paulsherwin is online now  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 7:24 pm   #10
electrogram
Heptode
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hereford, UK.
Posts: 719
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Looks like an AC/DC version of the chassis in mine, IF cans, tuning condenser, smoothing can and valves all in the same positions, but a transformer filling the big hole.
electrogram is online now  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 7:40 pm   #11
Tractorfan
Dekatron
 
Tractorfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.)
Posts: 3,177
Smile Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Hi,
It's not a KB by any chance? It looks very vaguely similar to mine from 1955.
Cheers, Pete.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	KB LG40FM (3).jpg
Views:	99
Size:	73.9 KB
ID:	145178  
__________________
"Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."
Tractorfan is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2017, 7:50 pm   #12
ms660
Dekatron
 
ms660's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

Says Fidelity Radio London on the record deck plinth, then looks like what might be a London district letter and number after the word London, if it's W11 then that should pin it down as one of Dickman's units (Fidelity)

Lawrence.
ms660 is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2017, 3:10 pm   #13
Edward Huggins
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
Default Re: Fidelity Monarch BSR Three Speed Record Changer.

This is definitely a "Fidelity Radio" unit before their Portable Record Player days. I am not sure from her post if the OP just wants this as a non-working retro piece or plans to have it restored to use as a Mono record player?
__________________
Edward.
Edward Huggins is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 3:52 pm.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.