Ace Record Player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

leslie5555 · 10th Nov 2019, 8:31 pm

Hello I acquired this record player about 2 years ago and it's found its way to the top of the round tuit pile.
I am hoping to find out a bit more about it I have looked on the ww web and there isn't anything to be found.
It has a BSR UA14 deck which makes me think it's from around 1960.
I don't know the valve line up as I have not opened it up yet.
Can anyone shed a little light on the maker's history and whereabouts in the UK was it manufactured?

Many thanks.

michamoo · 10th Nov 2019, 11:09 pm

Ace Radio Ltd, Tower Works, Tower Road, Pound Lane, Willesden, London, NW10 (in 1946 & 57). Established in 1937. Maker of radios and radiograms and (in 1948) an electric floor polisher.

Opened a factory in Rhyl, North Wales circa 1962 (or was it already an STC factory?).

Acquired by Kolster-Brandes Ltd (STC) in 1962. The 1964 “Trader” Year Book shows their address as: Cefndy Road, Rhyl, North Wales.

After KB's parent Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) acquired Ace, Argosy, Regentone and RGD brands in 1962, these brands (with KB) became part of "The Consumer Products Division of STC" (and so were just badge engineered KB designs). There was at least one Ace TV fitted with the STC (KB) VC1 chassis.

The 1964 “Trader” year book shows Argosy Radiovision Ltd at Argosy House, Rhyl, North Wales (same location as Ace Radio Ltd).

In 1971, Cefndy Road, Rhyl, North Wales, was the headquarters of ITT Manufacturing Services:
ITT Components Group Europe, ITT Manufacturing Services, Cefndy Road, Rhyl, North Wales.

In December 2014, a social housing development was started on the former ITT factory site, where televisions were made, but which has been derelict for several years.

Thanks goes to dazzlevision for providing me with this info recently.

emeritus · 11th Nov 2019, 2:01 am

Ace also made TVs. I have a couple of their flyers.

FIXITNOW · 11th Nov 2019, 8:55 am

I have an Ace one but different model

crackle · 11th Nov 2019, 10:03 am

The OP's Ace record player (post #1) looks like it is in a Dansette case.

Mike

vidjoman · 11th Nov 2019, 11:21 am

I’ve seen that “Dansette” style front on other makes as well. Argosy springs to mind. Probably to copy a successful selling style.

leslie5555 · 15th Nov 2019, 4:43 pm

Thanks for all your replies much appreciated.
I have started another thread with regards to the valves fitted to this player.

10th Nov 2019, 11:09 pm	#2
michamoo Hexode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 469	Re: Ace Record Player Ace Radio Ltd, Tower Works, Tower Road, Pound Lane, Willesden, London, NW10 (in 1946 & 57). Established in 1937. Maker of radios and radiograms and (in 1948) an electric floor polisher. Opened a factory in Rhyl, North Wales circa 1962 (or was it already an STC factory?). Acquired by Kolster-Brandes Ltd (STC) in 1962. The 1964 “Trader” Year Book shows their address as: Cefndy Road, Rhyl, North Wales. After KB's parent Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) acquired Ace, Argosy, Regentone and RGD brands in 1962, these brands (with KB) became part of "The Consumer Products Division of STC" (and so were just badge engineered KB designs). There was at least one Ace TV fitted with the STC (KB) VC1 chassis. The 1964 “Trader” year book shows Argosy Radiovision Ltd at Argosy House, Rhyl, North Wales (same location as Ace Radio Ltd). In 1971, Cefndy Road, Rhyl, North Wales, was the headquarters of ITT Manufacturing Services: ITT Components Group Europe, ITT Manufacturing Services, Cefndy Road, Rhyl, North Wales. In December 2014, a social housing development was started on the former ITT factory site, where televisions were made, but which has been derelict for several years. Thanks goes to dazzlevision for providing me with this info recently. __________________ If smoking is so bad for you, how come it cures kippers?

11th Nov 2019, 2:01 am	#3
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,337	Re: Ace Record Player Ace also made TVs. I have a couple of their flyers.

11th Nov 2019, 8:55 am	#4
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,975	Re: Ace Record Player I have an Ace one but different model Attached Thumbnails

11th Nov 2019, 10:03 am	#5
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Ace Record Player The OP's Ace record player (post #1) looks like it is in a Dansette case. Mike

11th Nov 2019, 11:21 am	#6
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Ace Record Player I’ve seen that “Dansette” style front on other makes as well. Argosy springs to mind. Probably to copy a successful selling style.

10th Nov 2019, 8:31 pm	#1
leslie5555 Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 692	Ace Record Player Hello I acquired this record player about 2 years ago and it's found its way to the top of the round tuit pile. I am hoping to find out a bit more about it I have looked on the ww web and there isn't anything to be found. It has a BSR UA14 deck which makes me think it's from around 1960. I don't know the valve line up as I have not opened it up yet. Can anyone shed a little light on the maker's history and whereabouts in the UK was it manufactured? Many thanks. Attached Thumbnails

15th Nov 2019, 4:43 pm	#7
leslie5555 Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 692	Re: Ace Record Player Thanks for all your replies much appreciated. I have started another thread with regards to the valves fitted to this player.