Decca MS1511 'Gypsy Super 15' - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dr-Watts · 17th Mar 2007, 6:27 pm

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"Do us a favour love" I asked Faith,
"can you take that old freezer and dead Grundig down the tip for us ?"
She's got a week off between starting a new job, so I thought it'd give her something to do...
"I couldn't lift the telly or that fridge" was the answer after a week, so I took them down there myself today...

First thing out, that Grundig that met a rather dramatic end when the Focus unit passed away, took the LOPT & Line Oscillator chip with it, as I was sticking it on the pile I saw this smallish wood cabinet.
I turned it round and saw this great little B&W set.
I thought it was quite pretty and just had to take it, you all know what it's like

So, it's a Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15'
It's in fairly good condition and I took the back off as soon as it got through the front door.
A blackened fuse and 4 X 1N4007's later and the set performs very well thankyou, even the dreaded Decca channel selector all works OK !

What's that, What did Faith say ?
I won't say because it was a bit rude, but as I said to her...
"It's your fault anyway, if you'd taken that stuff to the tip, I wouldn't have had to go and rescue the little set"
Can you believe it, she agreed.

Maybe you should try my new strategy ?

Hope you like the pics ...

Colourstar · 17th Mar 2007, 7:00 pm

Well liberated, Dr! My Decca Gypsy also came from the dump. Seems to be the natural habitat these days of b&w portables.

Presumably that's a 14" tube? I like the look of these wooden portables. Rather like shrunken early 70s colour sets in presentation.

You need to watch some more suitable programming on it- an episode of The Good Life, or Man About The House perhaps.

It seems to be a fact of some of our lives that we come back from the tip with more than we were taking in the first place! Re-cycling at it's finest!

Steve J

Dr-Watts · 17th Mar 2007, 8:50 pm

Actually, the cabinet looks quite good under all the grime.
Oh well, when I find the time I'll give it a good clean up and I reckon it'll look like new

Mikey405 · 18th Mar 2007, 12:17 am

That's a nice and unusual-looking set Doctor Watts. Dumps are excellent places for finding old stuff if you can sneak it past the guards on duty there. And any on duty at home too.

From Mike.

Dr-Watts · 18th Mar 2007, 10:25 am

Only problem around here is...
The guys at the tips think everything's worth a massive amount !

Sometimes their eyes are bigger than their pockets, if you know what I mean.

Heatercathodeshort · 18th Mar 2007, 10:44 am

The DECCA Gypsy and its smaller 12" version were one of the stranger portables of its day. They never sold in large numbers and reminded me of a home constructed kit set. They worked well and few were seen in my service dept. J.

17th Mar 2007, 6:27 pm	#1
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Decca MS1511 'Gypsy Super 15' "Do us a favour love" I asked Faith, "can you take that old freezer and dead Grundig down the tip for us ?" She's got a week off between starting a new job, so I thought it'd give her something to do... "I couldn't lift the telly or that fridge" was the answer after a week, so I took them down there myself today... First thing out, that Grundig that met a rather dramatic end when the Focus unit passed away, took the LOPT & Line Oscillator chip with it, as I was sticking it on the pile I saw this smallish wood cabinet. I turned it round and saw this great little B&W set. I thought it was quite pretty and just had to take it, you all know what it's like So, it's a Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15' It's in fairly good condition and I took the back off as soon as it got through the front door. A blackened fuse and 4 X 1N4007's later and the set performs very well thankyou, even the dreaded Decca channel selector all works OK ! What's that, What did Faith say ? I won't say because it was a bit rude, but as I said to her... "It's your fault anyway, if you'd taken that stuff to the tip, I wouldn't have had to go and rescue the little set" Can you believe it, she agreed. Maybe you should try my new strategy ? Hope you like the pics ... __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man Last edited by Mike Phelan; 17th Dec 2007 at 3:45 pm. Reason: S&P

17th Mar 2007, 7:00 pm	#2
Colourstar Octode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,398	Re: Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15' Well liberated, Dr! My Decca Gypsy also came from the dump. Seems to be the natural habitat these days of b&w portables. Presumably that's a 14" tube? I like the look of these wooden portables. Rather like shrunken early 70s colour sets in presentation. You need to watch some more suitable programming on it- an episode of The Good Life, or Man About The House perhaps. It seems to be a fact of some of our lives that we come back from the tip with more than we were taking in the first place! Re-cycling at it's finest! Steve J

17th Mar 2007, 8:50 pm	#3
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Re: Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15' Actually, the cabinet looks quite good under all the grime. Oh well, when I find the time I'll give it a good clean up and I reckon it'll look like new __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man

18th Mar 2007, 12:17 am	#4
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15' That's a nice and unusual-looking set Doctor Watts. Dumps are excellent places for finding old stuff if you can sneak it past the guards on duty there. And any on duty at home too. From Mike.

18th Mar 2007, 10:25 am	#5
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Re: Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15' Only problem around here is... The guys at the tips think everything's worth a massive amount ! Sometimes their eyes are bigger than their pockets, if you know what I mean. __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man Last edited by Mike Phelan; 17th Dec 2007 at 3:47 pm. Reason: Removed unnecessary market traders' apostrophes

18th Mar 2007, 10:44 am	#6
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Decca MS1511 'Gypsie Super 15' The DECCA Gypsy and its smaller 12" version were one of the stranger portables of its day. They never sold in large numbers and reminded me of a home constructed kit set. They worked well and few were seen in my service dept. J.