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 16th Jan 2008, 9:06 pm   #21
ianj
Heptode
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 525
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Im tempted to get a grundig or telefunken monster, just for occasional use, with a cd plugged into it...............................but then again, I have a Hacker 600 music centre with a cd plugged into it, so--its about the same, isnt it?? ianj
ianj is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 9:29 pm   #22
Nickthedentist
Dekatron
 
Nickthedentist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Quote:
Originally Posted by paulsherwin View Post
...if somebody gave me a radiogram I'd have to get rid of the dining room sideboard just to make somewhere to put it.
Then, put your crockery in the record storage cupboards and you've got a sideboard that plays music
Nickthedentist is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 9:37 pm   #23
Heatercathodeshort
Dekatron
 
Heatercathodeshort's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING.
Posts: 9,145
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

I have too many radiograms but love them and play mine often. Its the size that is the problem with collecting grams. Most were very little used from new, particularly the 'lift up lid' type due to the fact that ornaments were always put on top and it was simply too much hassle to clear the clutter off to play a few records. I suppose the golden era was before television, the 30's. radio and records were King and the radio gram was the centre of entertainment and sounded fabulous. Every colector should have at least ten of them...... Regards, John.
Heatercathodeshort is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 10:16 pm   #24
Tom_I
Heptode
 
Tom_I's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Herts. UK.
Posts: 549
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Back in the late 1960s, the husband of one of my mother's friends worked for a company importing radiograms called Clairtone, made in Canada. They were big, with masses of pushbutton or rocker type controls. Smart, mostly contemporary-styled cabinets. Very expensive, but generally using fairly ordinary Garrard record decks. I was only a kid at the time, but I particularly remember a control to reverse the stereo channels so you could sit with your back to the unit, and the left and right channels would still be in the correct orientation.

Anybody ever heard of this manufacturer?

Tom
Tom_I is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 10:34 pm   #25
Nickthedentist
Dekatron
 
Nickthedentist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom_I View Post
Anybody ever heard of this manufacturer?
No, but Google has: http://www.tvhistory.tv/CLAIRTONE-CANADA.htm
Nickthedentist is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 10:37 pm   #26
Tom_I
Heptode
 
Tom_I's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Herts. UK.
Posts: 549
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Thanks Nick. Since posting I have refined my search terms a bit, and more information about Clairtone has suddenly appeared:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clairto...ration_Limited

http://www.clairtone.ca/

I should have looked a bit more carefully first, but at least I wasn't making it all up.

Tom
Tom_I is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 10:59 pm   #27
Steve_P
Dekatron
 
Steve_P's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 6,644
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Well, here's my latest acquisition, for your viewing pleasure....

Cheers,

Steve P.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF0017.JPG
Views:	343
Size:	108.0 KB
ID:	14561  
__________________
If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?
Steve_P is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 11:06 pm   #28
dave walsh
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex.
Posts: 5,814
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

If that's the Hungarian one Steve, it looks a lot better than the picture I saw. How did you get it "up north" in the end and what are the electrics like? In the mid sixties I only knew two families who could afford contemporary ie brand new Radiograms [as opposed to much older imodels] and albums like Beatles For Sale sounded amazing-all that bass. [One even had a Tandberg tape recorder added in by the dealer].
We'd trek round with our records just for the privilege There was no RG/Dansette young /old clash, as I remember, it was just that a really good stereo RG was [even then] a desirable but fairly unobtainable item.
Dave

Last edited by dave walsh; 16th Jan 2008 at 11:17 pm.
dave walsh is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 11:11 pm   #29
Steve_P
Dekatron
 
Steve_P's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 6,644
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Got your message Dave. Now I've got it I will answer you! I rang round the Man + Van people and one was taking some stuff to Kent. So I asked him to pick something up while he was there.

Not tried the Electronics yet, but there won't be much wrong. I've got the Radio version here (under Success Stories) and there was nothing much wrong with that!

Cheers,

Steve P
__________________
If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?
Steve_P is offline  
Old 17th Jan 2008, 9:34 am   #30
chipp1968
Rest in Peace
 
chipp1968's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somerset, UK.
Posts: 2,356
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

I wonder If moreintersting postings showing Radiograms and restorations with inspire more of us to make some space for one . I certainly would like to see some pics of more interesting rareties.
chipp1968 is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2008, 1:09 pm   #31
cavemuscle
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
Posts: 41
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chipp1968 View Post
I wonder If moreintersting postings showing Radiograms and restorations with inspire more of us to make some space for one . I certainly would like to see some pics of more interesting rareties.
Agreed. I'd love to see pics of that big RGD 1015, the bigger HMVs, etc.


B
cavemuscle is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2008, 2:10 pm   #32
smeagoluk
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK.
Posts: 39
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Yes they will be wanted ,i want a great big one pre war with the changer record thrower thingy and the record dustbin at the side.like havin a juke box without the jukebox,If i can get one real cheap i will have it then just get Gerry to do it up at the museum as he always seems to be looking for stuff to restore.................Paul
smeagoluk is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2008, 5:00 pm   #33
cavemuscle
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
Posts: 41
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Here are a few to lust over from the States.

First two are a Capehart 400N from 46/7 with custom case by Steinway.

Next two are a Capehart 500, Dubbed the Rogers Capehart as the story is that Buddy Rogers had it installed in Pickfair for his wife, Mary Pickford.

Last is the RCA Berksire Regency Radio/TV. It was RCA's attempt to cash in on the ultra high end. Military style wiring, multi bandspread tuning with motor drive, rear projection television, and two changers, one for 78's and one for 45's. Cabinet styles by Edward Wormly, Baker Furniture, and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.

RCA subcontracted out everything and failed to make a profit. John Vassos' front panel design was impossible to service without complete disassembly.

Finally, the market was shifting to more flexible component systems that fit in the smaller houses and apartments and were easier to service. RCA's refusal to support the LP meant consumers had to buy a third changer and have an input wired in by a service tech.

The line was quietly dropped by 1951, the same time Farnsworth ceased production of the big Capeharts and Scott Radio Labs folded. Only Fisher Radio and Stromberg-Carlson survived by offering their goods as either consoles OR seperate components. Magnavoxes could be purchased without cabinets for custom installations. Everyone else plunged into TV, leaving radio and audio to the "hi-fi nuts"

I have tons more if you want them.

Brock
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	capehart400Nchinese.jpg
Views:	275
Size:	58.5 KB
ID:	14658   Click image for larger version

Name:	capehart400NChineseOpen.jpg
Views:	283
Size:	40.6 KB
ID:	14659   Click image for larger version

Name:	Capehart500RogerBack.jpg
Views:	337
Size:	58.4 KB
ID:	14660   Click image for larger version

Name:	Capehart500Rogerfront.jpg
Views:	334
Size:	62.6 KB
ID:	14661   Click image for larger version

Name:	regencyopen.jpg
Views:	301
Size:	33.3 KB
ID:	14662  

cavemuscle is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2008, 5:16 pm   #34
Steve_P
Dekatron
 
Steve_P's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 6,644
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Yes please!!

Cheers,

Steve P.
__________________
If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?
Steve_P is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2008, 6:45 pm   #35
JoshWard
Octode
 
JoshWard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 1,962
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

I'm really starting to like radiograms now! The condition of the cabinets really amazes me- my Grundig is mint! Not all radiograms are large, I have a HMV 2011 record player with a radio in the front but for me it's not a 'real' radiogram. I'm soon getting a McMichael one () and my great grandmother has one, a Decca, with no insides! Josh.
JoshWard is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2008, 9:23 pm   #36
cavemuscle
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
Posts: 41
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_P View Post
Yes please!!

Cheers,

Steve P.

Ok, 5 more

This is the second most collectible Magnavox, the early 60's Concert Grand.

5 feet long, with two horn tweeters and two 15 inch woofers, 4 chassis, AM fm radio, remote control, 4 speed Collaro changer. It could serve as the control center for a whole house system, much like the old Capeharts. Input and outputs of tv and tape, remote speakers. The owner of this one used it as the front section to his home cinema as well as for audio only.

It is second only to the post war Magnavox Windsor in collectability.

Cheers

Brock
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	5de9.jpg
Views:	278
Size:	63.0 KB
ID:	14672   Click image for larger version

Name:	a3ca.jpg
Views:	265
Size:	76.3 KB
ID:	14673   Click image for larger version

Name:	ef46.jpg
Views:	340
Size:	72.9 KB
ID:	14674   Click image for larger version

Name:	772f.jpg
Views:	265
Size:	89.0 KB
ID:	14675   Click image for larger version

Name:	d38c.jpg
Views:	215
Size:	76.8 KB
ID:	14676  

cavemuscle is offline  
Old 21st Jan 2008, 9:37 am   #37
Mike Phelan
Dekatron
 
Mike Phelan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Wow! I'm impressed, Brock - a veritable valve factory!
__________________
Mike.
Mike Phelan is offline  
Old 21st Jan 2008, 10:25 am   #38
Sean Williams
Dekatron
 
Sean Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW
Posts: 3,517
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

I counted at least 26 tubes!

I want one of these beasties - must be a goodun with all the gubbins in that one!
__________________
Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished
Sean Williams is offline  
Old 21st Jan 2008, 1:29 pm   #39
Brian R Pateman
Nonode
 
Brian R Pateman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK
Posts: 2,136
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

Me too - even if I have to move all the furniture out of the dining room to fit it into the house!

Regards,
__________________
Brian
Brian R Pateman is offline  
Old 21st Jan 2008, 2:41 pm   #40
ianj
Heptode
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 525
Default Re: Radiograms. Will they ever be wanted?

VERY nice! I want one! ianj
ianj is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:17 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.