Hacker Serenade Options - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stuart_morgan_64 · 22nd Dec 2018, 7:13 pm

I see that this is available as a floor model and a table top model. The base that I have with this, was it a extra? It has a FM aerial within. Does it just sit under the record player.

Spent a while on this, you can't beat a Hacker.

music-centre · 22nd Dec 2018, 7:35 pm

Nearly all of these that I have seen have had the stand, I thought that they came with it as standard but I don't know for sure.
Steve.

Paul_RK · 22nd Dec 2018, 8:13 pm

I'm not aware of a table-top version having been offered. The 1964 Hacker catalogue features the RG16 Serenade at 75 gns., stand included, in walnut, or 3 gns, more in teak. The GP40 was a version of the Serenade without radio tuner, and with an SP25 turntable in place of the AT6, for 65 or 68 gns.: and the AL16 additional 'speaker for stereo was 30 or 32 gns depending on finish.

I can't easily get to mine (a GP40) at the moment, but memory's telling me that the legs may be attached by bolts with wing nuts. Maybe a past owner of this one just decided he would rather stand the unit on a table?

Paul

music-centre · 22nd Dec 2018, 9:10 pm

Yes, 4 bolts with wing nuts on both the main unit stand and the one for the add on amplifier.
Steve.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 22nd Dec 2018, 9:59 pm

Seeing those prices, which in today's terms would probably equate to at least £1400, serves to illustrate that Hackers were High Quality upmarket stereos, and certainly out of reach of many people, myself included. About 2 years earlier I bought an E.A.R. record player on Hire Purchase, which, IIRC, retailed at over £20, plus interest, so I dread to think what a GP40 would have cost -certainly more than I could contemplate on take-home pay of about £13 a week!

stuart_morgan_64 · 23rd Dec 2018, 5:43 pm

Hya, thanks for the replies, I am missing the outer leg pieces, it all makes sense now. Bit of a shame, but as all Hackers, the best sounding until you get onto separates.

22nd Dec 2018, 7:13 pm	#1
stuart_morgan_64 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 501	Hacker Serenade Options I see that this is available as a floor model and a table top model. The base that I have with this, was it a extra? It has a FM aerial within. Does it just sit under the record player. Spent a while on this, you can't beat a Hacker. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Dec 2018, 7:35 pm	#2
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Hacker Serenade Options Nearly all of these that I have seen have had the stand, I thought that they came with it as standard but I don't know for sure. Steve.

22nd Dec 2018, 8:13 pm	#3
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,257	Re: Hacker Serenade Options I'm not aware of a table-top version having been offered. The 1964 Hacker catalogue features the RG16 Serenade at 75 gns., stand included, in walnut, or 3 gns, more in teak. The GP40 was a version of the Serenade without radio tuner, and with an SP25 turntable in place of the AT6, for 65 or 68 gns.: and the AL16 additional 'speaker for stereo was 30 or 32 gns depending on finish. I can't easily get to mine (a GP40) at the moment, but memory's telling me that the legs may be attached by bolts with wing nuts. Maybe a past owner of this one just decided he would rather stand the unit on a table? Paul Last edited by Paul_RK; 22nd Dec 2018 at 8:24 pm.

22nd Dec 2018, 9:10 pm	#4
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Hacker Serenade Options Yes, 4 bolts with wing nuts on both the main unit stand and the one for the add on amplifier. Steve. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Dec 2018, 9:59 pm	#5
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Hacker Serenade Options Seeing those prices, which in today's terms would probably equate to at least £1400, serves to illustrate that Hackers were High Quality upmarket stereos, and certainly out of reach of many people, myself included. About 2 years earlier I bought an E.A.R. record player on Hire Purchase, which, IIRC, retailed at over £20, plus interest, so I dread to think what a GP40 would have cost -certainly more than I could contemplate on take-home pay of about £13 a week!

23rd Dec 2018, 5:43 pm	#6
stuart_morgan_64 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 501	Re: Hacker Serenade Options Hya, thanks for the replies, I am missing the outer leg pieces, it all makes sense now. Bit of a shame, but as all Hackers, the best sounding until you get onto separates.