Beau Decca radiogram. Found one at last.

[FIXITNOW]

Picked up one of these at the weekend, fortunately it's complete. It has some worm on both sides and some veneer damage. Also one speaker has been replaced with a Celestion type.

I have the 4 sheet basic service info sheets dated December 1948 from the site DVD. Has anyone a copy of the manufacturer's service data (pdf) etc they could email me? If so please send me PM.

[FIXITNOW]

More pics.

[SeanStevens]

I had the amp and radio many years back. Ian certainly had a copy of the service sheet. I'll ask him if he remembers where he got it.

SEAN

[FIXITNOW]

Thanks Sean that would be of great help.

[mark pirate]

That was a lucky find, complete with output valves intact as well
I would definitely replace the crucial capacitors before attempting to power it up, as replacement valves will be a tad expensive!

I hope the dreaded woodworm has not caused too much damage, at least they have not eaten the front panel.
I would be inclined to treat the cabinet ASAP.

Mark

[FIXITNOW]

Treated cabinet as soon as it was out of the back of the car and will do a few more times just to be sure.

It's not been run for at least 30 years so will be removing amp and tuner and recapping before it gets any power as new o/p valves are beyond my budget!

[PaulR]

I hope you will give us a blow by blow account of its restoration.

[Techman]

Really looking forward to seeing you getting this one up and running - I'll be following it with interest.

I've got the Dynatron version!

[FIXITNOW]

I'm waiting on another web site for full maker's manual.

Cabinet undergoing worm treatment at present.

[FIXITNOW]

just a little update amp has now had its wax caps replaced and electrolytics reformed got it up and running yesterday via a lamp limiter with my record deck (plus a gram ) feeding it

[Edward Huggins]

A great project. The Celestion speaker that's been fitted has a larger magnet than the Lectronas, so it may be a good substitute. Is the Garrard autochanger a very early 2 speed type - can't quite see? Edward

[FIXITNOW]

the speaker and record deck are just for bench test the original 3 speakers and single speed (78) deck are still in the cabinet

the turntable will need service and still need to recap the tuner next on my list to do

[Edward Huggins]

OK, understand. But you said "original" speakers, meaning as you bought it - but not as first made. Edward

[thejazzageuk]

Hi FIXITNOW. I like the photos- how is the restoration coming along?

I've been restoring a beau decca -up to now with a non-standard amp, but have just located an original one and wondered if you have any advice. First step to get it out of the cabinet- (do the amp knobs just pull off or are they screwed down?). Once I've completed I should have a spare cabinet- not in great condition but without woodworm!- which you are welcome to if it is any good to you. Family would like to get rid of it I'm sure.

[FIXITNOW]

Cabinet is now sorted amp is up and running not had much time lately
need to do the radio next its, I guess going to be in the Autumn before I get back to this
got a couple of Bakelite radios to do as and when as these only need waxies doing

on the beau Decca the knobs should just pull off good luck with it

[RojDW48]

A thing of beauty and wonder! Did Decca make their own deck for this (I think they machined up a very few) or is it Collaro or Garrard?

Roger

[FIXITNOW]

Garrard in mine

[Edward Huggins]

I don't think Decca used Collaro decks until 1958 in their first generation of Stereograms and Deccalians. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Edward

[Hartley118]

AFAIK the first post-war 78 only Deccalian used a Garrard governor motor but with a rather slim Decca arm and a wide range bayonet plugin Decca magnetic head for their new FFRR discs (type D I think it was called) - the predecessor of the XMS head. When LPs were introduced - again pioneered by Decca, the Deccalian was built with a rather good 2- speed transcription style heavy idler drive turntable which I think was specified by Decca and built by BSR. Only around 1953 did the Deccalian change from BSR to use the Garrard TB 3-speed player (similar to the TA but with a longer arm to take the short 'club head' XMS heads.

I believe that the Decola always used Garrard autochangers in its original mono incarnation.

Martin

[RojDW48]

Thanks Martin - I think I have one of those 'transcription' style decks still in my round tuit section - nice to know who manufactured it. Yes, those old bayonet fit D type cartridges were probably fine fifty-odd years ago - they are a bit wobbly now! Roger