What can I do with this old EAP Elizabethan reel to reel recorder? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

carlgardner · 6th Jan 2026, 4:34 pm

Hi! I'm clearing my parents' house, and have found this EAP Elizabethan tape recorder. I guess it must be from around 1960-61, can't have been used for many years, and I don't know whether it's restorable at all. The lid and back panel are no longer attached to their hinges.

I have no knowledge of this kind of thing, but didn't want to just junk a vintage piece of kit without consulting an enthusiast, so decided to search for somewhere where I could get some advice, and found your forums.

What can or should I do with this? I assume it's of little to no monetary value. Are there people out there who'd like to restore something like this?

paulsherwin · 6th Jan 2026, 6:37 pm

This is actually quite a nice recorder of the period and is certainly restorable. The tape deck is autoreverse which is unusual. As you've guessed, it's not worth a great deal though, and it may struggle to find a good home even if you offer it FOC.

You could put it on eBay with a 99p start collection only, or offer it here on the forum FOC. Outlets like Facebook Marketplace are another option, as is Freecycle/Freegle as a last resort.

Thanks for not just dumping it. I know dealing with these things is distressing and hard work.

Richardgr · 7th Jan 2026, 8:45 am

Some details here:
Eliazabethan De Luxe

Quote:

Valve complement: 6X4, EF86, ECC83, EL84, EM34 (magic eye) / Audio output power: 2½ watts / Inputs: microphone and phono / radio / Outputs: external speaker / Speaker(s): 7? x 4? hi-flux / Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 9? (432 x 356 x 229 mm) / Weight: 43 lbs (19.5 kg) / half-track mono

Since tape recorders of that vintage often had a good internal loudspeaker, have a microphone input, can work in 'public address' mode, and there is a valve amplifier, then they often appeal to the electric guitar fraternity looking for a practice amp, or something that will create a certain sound.

An EL84 is a good output valve, so once it has had some sympathetic electronic repairs (probably very straightforward with good access and a few known components to be checked and replaced) then it would be an asset for a future axe hero. I would be inclined to list it under electric instrument amplification (requiring renovation) rather than as an old reel-to-reel.

wd40addict · 7th Jan 2026, 9:07 am

The difficulty here also applies to much vintage gear - the valves installed inside are worth far more than the item they're installed in. Guitarists and Hi-fi types will pay good money for EF86, ECC83 & EL84. Radio and test gear collectors would want the EM34.

Vintage Engr · 7th Jan 2026, 11:08 am

It really would be a shame if it were broken up for parts. It's a good example of the technology of the time, and a quality tape deck that is fitted.

I remember these new... I always fancied the Collaro Transcriptor deck (with its complex switching), but ended up with the later version, which wasn't as good in many ways.

Much better that it is restored to its former glory!

David.

6th Jan 2026, 4:34 pm	#1
carlgardner Diode Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 1	What can I do with this old EAP Elizabethan reel to reel recorder? Hi! I'm clearing my parents' house, and have found this EAP Elizabethan tape recorder. I guess it must be from around 1960-61, can't have been used for many years, and I don't know whether it's restorable at all. The lid and back panel are no longer attached to their hinges. I have no knowledge of this kind of thing, but didn't want to just junk a vintage piece of kit without consulting an enthusiast, so decided to search for somewhere where I could get some advice, and found your forums. What can or should I do with this? I assume it's of little to no monetary value. Are there people out there who'd like to restore something like this? Attached Thumbnails

6th Jan 2026, 6:37 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 30,573	Re: What can I do with this old EAP Elizabethan reel to reel recorder? This is actually quite a nice recorder of the period and is certainly restorable. The tape deck is autoreverse which is unusual. As you've guessed, it's not worth a great deal though, and it may struggle to find a good home even if you offer it FOC. You could put it on eBay with a 99p start collection only, or offer it here on the forum FOC. Outlets like Facebook Marketplace are another option, as is Freecycle/Freegle as a last resort. Thanks for not just dumping it. I know dealing with these things is distressing and hard work.

7th Jan 2026, 9:07 am	#4
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,701	Re: What can I do with this old EAP Elizabethan reel to reel recorder? The difficulty here also applies to much vintage gear - the valves installed inside are worth far more than the item they're installed in. Guitarists and Hi-fi types will pay good money for EF86, ECC83 & EL84. Radio and test gear collectors would want the EM34.

7th Jan 2026, 11:08 am	#5
Vintage Engr Octode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 1,152	Re: What can I do with this old EAP Elizabethan reel to reel recorder? It really would be a shame if it were broken up for parts. It's a good example of the technology of the time, and a quality tape deck that is fitted. I remember these new... I always fancied the Collaro Transcriptor deck (with its complex switching), but ended up with the later version, which wasn't as good in many ways. Much better that it is restored to its former glory! David.