Pam Record Deck - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

GrahamN · 10th Apr 2009, 4:33 pm

Can anyone tell me anything about this record deck?

I picked it up earlier today at an Antiques fair - and was told it was a portable record player from the 1930s. In fact, there is no amp or speakers and it seems far too heavy to be a portable - as well as needing mains power and seperate amp / speaker.

I can't see any model numbers etc. except that it has the Pam name on the metal case, and the turntable is a 78rpm only Garrard.

It does seem a strange thing to do - put a turntable only into a very heavy steel case with a carrying handle - and I wonder what possible use it would have had.

I would like in any case to get it going. Is there a step-by-step guide to refurbishing old record decks anywhere that's worth reading before I jump in?

Thanks

Graham

Brian R Pateman · 10th Apr 2009, 5:04 pm

Pam - or Pamphonic to give them their full title - manufactured Public Address systems among other things.

This looks to me like the add on record deck for a PA system. It is certainly rugged enough.

I recall using something only slightly more sophisticated at various school sports days and village fêtes in the 1960s.

Regards,

GrahamN · 10th Apr 2009, 5:17 pm

Thanks Brian.

That makes sense. I never gave P.A. a thought.

Tractorfan · 10th Apr 2009, 9:31 pm

Hi,
I had a Pamphonic PA amp from our local footy ground many years ago, it was in a 19" hammerite green steel case and worked well. That amp taught a young lad (me) a lot about healthy HT supplies, Ouch!

. Like an idiot, I sold it a few years ago for peanuts not realising (then) the value of the nearly new KT88's living within

!!
I've often wondered if there was any connection betwixt Pamphonic and Pye, 'cos Pam tellies of the fifties & sixties had a distinctly "Pye-ish" look about them didn't they?
Cheers de Pete

Brian R Pateman · 10th Apr 2009, 9:51 pm

Oh yes indeed.

Pam was one of the many offshoots of the Pye empire.

That's why the first British-made transistor radio was badged Pam rather than Pye. If it turned out to be a flop C.O. Stanley wanted nothing to do with it!

(Ref The Radio Man, Frankland & Bussey, Pub IEE, Page 298).

Regards,

ajs37 · 11th Apr 2009, 10:59 am

That's interesting - I never realised Pamphonic was related to Pye, or that it was originally producing PA systems - I have an old Pamphonic tuner (mono of course) and always wondered where the name came from.

As for the original post, just looking at the case, it looks like a 50s player - but with that deck, should it be earlier?
Cheers
Andy

10th Apr 2009, 4:33 pm	#1
GrahamN Hexode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK. Posts: 391	Pam Record Deck Can anyone tell me anything about this record deck? I picked it up earlier today at an Antiques fair - and was told it was a portable record player from the 1930s. In fact, there is no amp or speakers and it seems far too heavy to be a portable - as well as needing mains power and seperate amp / speaker. I can't see any model numbers etc. except that it has the Pam name on the metal case, and the turntable is a 78rpm only Garrard. It does seem a strange thing to do - put a turntable only into a very heavy steel case with a carrying handle - and I wonder what possible use it would have had. I would like in any case to get it going. Is there a step-by-step guide to refurbishing old record decks anywhere that's worth reading before I jump in? Thanks Graham Attached Thumbnails Last edited by GrahamN; 10th Apr 2009 at 4:38 pm. Reason: Added Photos...

10th Apr 2009, 5:04 pm	#2
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: Pam Record Deck Pam - or Pamphonic to give them their full title - manufactured Public Address systems among other things. This looks to me like the add on record deck for a PA system. It is certainly rugged enough. I recall using something only slightly more sophisticated at various school sports days and village fêtes in the 1960s. Regards, __________________ Brian

10th Apr 2009, 5:17 pm	#3
GrahamN Hexode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK. Posts: 391	Re: Pam Record Deck Thanks Brian. That makes sense. I never gave P.A. a thought.

10th Apr 2009, 9:31 pm	#4
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,182	Re: Pam Record Deck Hi, I had a Pamphonic PA amp from our local footy ground many years ago, it was in a 19" hammerite green steel case and worked well. That amp taught a young lad (me) a lot about healthy HT supplies, Ouch! . Like an idiot, I sold it a few years ago for peanuts not realising (then) the value of the nearly new KT88's living within !! I've often wondered if there was any connection betwixt Pamphonic and Pye, 'cos Pam tellies of the fifties & sixties had a distinctly "Pye-ish" look about them didn't they? Cheers de Pete __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

10th Apr 2009, 9:51 pm	#5
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: Pam Record Deck Oh yes indeed. Pam was one of the many offshoots of the Pye empire. That's why the first British-made transistor radio was badged Pam rather than Pye. If it turned out to be a flop C.O. Stanley wanted nothing to do with it! (Ref The Radio Man, Frankland & Bussey, Pub IEE, Page 298). Regards, __________________ Brian

11th Apr 2009, 10:59 am	#6
ajs37 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 900	Re: Pam Record Deck That's interesting - I never realised Pamphonic was related to Pye, or that it was originally producing PA systems - I have an old Pamphonic tuner (mono of course) and always wondered where the name came from. As for the original post, just looking at the case, it looks like a 50s player - but with that deck, should it be earlier? Cheers Andy