BSR record player deck identification. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

af024 · 27th Jun 2009, 3:48 pm

For some time now I've been trying to work out how many record player decks BSR actually made and what the model numbers were. In terms of the number of units sold, to me, it seems like they pretty much cornered the market both here in the UK and abroad. That's pretty amazing.

So, I thought I'd start the ball rolling with a few photos of my own specimens. Regrettably, most of the labels on the underside of the decks are missing, so I only have a handful of model numbers (assuming I've written down the correct numbers you inderstand). If anyone can fill in the gaps and/or verify the numbers that I've quoted in the file names, that would be great.

Hopefully others will have other examples that can be posted.

For the record (pardon the terrible pun), all of my examples are 240Va.c. 50Hz mains powered, but I am aware that some battery models exist.

af024 · 27th Jun 2009, 3:49 pm

Some more ...

af024 · 27th Jun 2009, 3:57 pm

By the way, I've also seen the last deck 010A with an S-shaped arm. Not sure if it would have a different model number - I guess so.

Nickthedentist · 27th Jun 2009, 5:15 pm

Here are 3 drawings taken from Paul's data, illustrating three "Monarch" decks. One from 1953, and two later ones, the UA6 and UA8.

Thus the 2nd and 3rd ones in post #2 seem to be model UA8.

Nick.

Nickthedentist · 27th Jun 2009, 5:19 pm

And a UA16:

af024 · 27th Jun 2009, 6:17 pm

Thank you Nick, yes it certainly does look like the second and third photos are of UA8s. I wonder if the finish (ie gold or silver) was described in the model/part number in some way.

Anyhow, a good start methinks - thank you Nick.

Let's hope that there are lots more to come.

Regards,

Andy

harvestgold · 27th Jun 2009, 6:56 pm

Superb thread! BSR turntables have always been my favourite.

Anyway, here's a few more:

1) Model AA47A1. Unusually, this uses a peg which raises up from the deck to measure the record size.

2) Unsure what model no. "Monarch". In cream.

3) TU9 arm and turntable.

4) UA15 SS6H. A special UA15 made for Philips with Philips plug in cartridge.

Cheers! Neil.

geofy · 27th Jun 2009, 7:47 pm

Another picture from the brochure I still have, from a Regentone Multi99 which we had but no longer, it was given to a neighbour many years ago and they eventually scraped it before I could reclaim it, so now I only have the brochures for it, and instructions for use and care.

mickjjo · 27th Jun 2009, 7:57 pm

Another "Monarch", a small 4 speed 9 volt operated deck as fitted in my "Perdiogram" portable radiogram.

Regards, Mick.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 27th Jun 2009, 8:32 pm

That is a GU7 deck, which was also fitted to a 'Standard' Battery/Mains Player made in the '60s by Waltham Electronics in Ireland. There was also a battery operated version of one of the Autochanger decks(UA14?) used by EAR in their 'Autobat' player produced in the early 1960s.

Nickthedentist · 27th Jun 2009, 9:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvestgold

2) Unsure what model no. "Monarch". In cream.

UA6

As found in early Pye Black Boxes.

Nickthedentist · 27th Jun 2009, 10:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickjjo

Another "Monarch", a small 4 speed 9 volt operated deck as fitted in my "Perdiogram" portable radiogram.

There was also a version of this with a conventional AC mains motor with tap for powering an amp... I had one in a little Fidelity portable.

Audio1950 · 27th Jun 2009, 10:14 pm

The cream one in #4 is the UA6. One drawback with these is that once the overarm has been lifted from it's rest position, if you happen to nudge the pickup arm for any reason, it flies inwards to the 7" position. Don't do the stylii a lot of good! Problem obviously overcome with the UA8. Personally, my favourite would be the UA16, if only for that space-age styling, (or the UA15, same mechanism, but shorter spindle, and lower pickup mounting). However, I hated the AA47A1, (First pic. #7) cos that little peg that shot up to measure the record size left nasty marks on the underside of LPs.

Barry

Jimmyhaflinger · 28th Jun 2009, 12:16 am

I have an UA14 just like the one in the first picture of this thread, but with a large gold plastic decorative panel.

Also, i'm restoring an "audiophile" variant of the popular black 70s BSR changer, it's fitted with a 4-pole motor, a metal turntable, a better arm with a real adjustable counterweight and better bearings, antiskating control, and a Shure MM cartridge, i'm planning to use this changer in my stereo system in place of a 70s Marantz, at least as long as it's able to track at 1.5 grams and the rumble from the BSR idler drive system is within acceptable levels

I'll post some pictures when i'll be able to put it back together.

Tom_I · 28th Jun 2009, 10:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyhaflinger

I have an UA14 just like the one in the first picture of this thread, but with a large gold plastic decorative panel.

That will be the UA12, introduced before the UA14, and intended as a 'de luxe' alternative to the UA8 for use in more expensive items like radiograms. I can't find a decent picture anywhere.

Another one not yet mentioned is the UA25, very common in cheaper record players in the mid 60s. Maybe someone has a better picture?

Tom

jjl · 28th Jun 2009, 2:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyhaflinger

Also, i'm restoring an "audiophile" variant of the popular black 70s BSR changer, it's fitted with a 4-pole motor, a metal turntable, a better arm with a real adjustable counterweight and better bearings, antiskating control, and a Shure MM cartridge, i'm planning to use this changer in my stereo system in place of a 70s Marantz, at least as long as it's able to track at 1.5 grams and the rumble from the BSR idler drive system is within acceptable levels

That sounds like a BSR McDonald MP60. I had one of these that I picked up for a tenner when I was 16. The rim drive and autochanger mechanism are the same as contemporary BSR changers fitted to the likes of Fidelity stereos. They do rumble a bit and would probably struggle with a 1.5 gram tracking weight.

John

ben · 28th Jun 2009, 10:07 pm

I have a music centre with a C142R with some small cosmetic differences from the image shown (4).
attached are a couple more, the P157, small C114 and the C141R1 , my favourite BSR arm; a lightweight type with small head, which is like BSR's equivalent of the Garrard 2025TC.

this site has loads more pics. I'd like to one day get a copy of the story of BSR book, seems essential if you're interested in these decks.

As concerns that model with the stud which senses the disc size from below, that was common in the Argentinian Wincos.

harvestgold · 29th Jun 2009, 12:35 pm

I have (in the loft) what I reckon must have been one of the last BSR changers. It is fitted to an early '80s Fidelity stereo. It is very plasticky and only plays at 33 and 45, but still works well. I must get it down and take a picture.

Neil.

ben · 29th Jun 2009, 1:15 pm

Is it this one? I have never seen one 'in the flesh'

harvestgold · 29th Jun 2009, 2:21 pm

No, It's more "modern" looking than that. I think it has two left<>right sliding switches, one each side on the front edge of the turntable. One selects 33/45, the other operates the auto changer. Will definitely dig it out for a look!

Neil.

27th Jun 2009, 3:48 pm	#1
af024 Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea) Posts: 1,242	BSR record player deck identification. For some time now I've been trying to work out how many record player decks BSR actually made and what the model numbers were. In terms of the number of units sold, to me, it seems like they pretty much cornered the market both here in the UK and abroad. That's pretty amazing. So, I thought I'd start the ball rolling with a few photos of my own specimens. Regrettably, most of the labels on the underside of the decks are missing, so I only have a handful of model numbers (assuming I've written down the correct numbers you inderstand). If anyone can fill in the gaps and/or verify the numbers that I've quoted in the file names, that would be great. Hopefully others will have other examples that can be posted. For the record (pardon the terrible pun), all of my examples are 240Va.c. 50Hz mains powered, but I am aware that some battery models exist. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Now where on earth did I remove that from?

27th Jun 2009, 3:57 pm	#3
af024 Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea) Posts: 1,242	Re: BSR Record Player Decks By the way, I've also seen the last deck 010A with an S-shaped arm. Not sure if it would have a different model number - I guess so. __________________ Now where on earth did I remove that from?

27th Jun 2009, 5:19 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,559	Re: BSR Record Player Decks And a UA16: Attached Thumbnails

27th Jun 2009, 6:17 pm	#6
af024 Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea) Posts: 1,242	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Thank you Nick, yes it certainly does look like the second and third photos are of UA8s. I wonder if the finish (ie gold or silver) was described in the model/part number in some way. Anyhow, a good start methinks - thank you Nick. Let's hope that there are lots more to come. Regards, Andy __________________ Now where on earth did I remove that from?

27th Jun 2009, 7:47 pm	#8
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Another picture from the brochure I still have, from a Regentone Multi99 which we had but no longer, it was given to a neighbour many years ago and they eventually scraped it before I could reclaim it, so now I only have the brochures for it, and instructions for use and care. Attached Thumbnails

27th Jun 2009, 3:49 pm	#2
af024 Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea) Posts: 1,242	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Some more ... Attached Thumbnails __________________ Now where on earth did I remove that from?

27th Jun 2009, 5:15 pm	#4
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,559	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Here are 3 drawings taken from Paul's data, illustrating three "Monarch" decks. One from 1953, and two later ones, the UA6 and UA8. Thus the 2nd and 3rd ones in post #2 seem to be model UA8. Nick. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Nickthedentist; 27th Jun 2009 at 5:20 pm.

27th Jun 2009, 6:56 pm	#7
harvestgold Hexode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 279	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Superb thread! BSR turntables have always been my favourite. Anyway, here's a few more: 1) Model AA47A1. Unusually, this uses a peg which raises up from the deck to measure the record size. 2) Unsure what model no. "Monarch". In cream. 3) TU9 arm and turntable. 4) UA15 SS6H. A special UA15 made for Philips with Philips plug in cartridge. Cheers! Neil. Attached Thumbnails

27th Jun 2009, 7:57 pm	#9
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Another "Monarch", a small 4 speed 9 volt operated deck as fitted in my "Perdiogram" portable radiogram. Regards, Mick. Attached Thumbnails

27th Jun 2009, 8:32 pm	#10
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: BSR Record Player Decks That is a GU7 deck, which was also fitted to a 'Standard' Battery/Mains Player made in the '60s by Waltham Electronics in Ireland. There was also a battery operated version of one of the Autochanger decks(UA14?) used by EAR in their 'Autobat' player produced in the early 1960s.

27th Jun 2009, 10:14 pm	#13
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,735	Re: BSR Record Player Decks The cream one in #4 is the UA6. One drawback with these is that once the overarm has been lifted from it's rest position, if you happen to nudge the pickup arm for any reason, it flies inwards to the 7" position. Don't do the stylii a lot of good! Problem obviously overcome with the UA8. Personally, my favourite would be the UA16, if only for that space-age styling, (or the UA15, same mechanism, but shorter spindle, and lower pickup mounting). However, I hated the AA47A1, (First pic. #7) cos that little peg that shot up to measure the record size left nasty marks on the underside of LPs. Barry

28th Jun 2009, 12:16 am	#14
Jimmyhaflinger Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Spezia, Italy Posts: 834	Re: BSR Record Player Decks I have an UA14 just like the one in the first picture of this thread, but with a large gold plastic decorative panel. Also, i'm restoring an "audiophile" variant of the popular black 70s BSR changer, it's fitted with a 4-pole motor, a metal turntable, a better arm with a real adjustable counterweight and better bearings, antiskating control, and a Shure MM cartridge, i'm planning to use this changer in my stereo system in place of a 70s Marantz, at least as long as it's able to track at 1.5 grams and the rumble from the BSR idler drive system is within acceptable levels I'll post some pictures when i'll be able to put it back together.

28th Jun 2009, 10:07 pm	#17
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,326	Re: BSR Record Player Decks I have a music centre with a C142R with some small cosmetic differences from the image shown (4). attached are a couple more, the P157, small C114 and the C141R1 , my favourite BSR arm; a lightweight type with small head, which is like BSR's equivalent of the Garrard 2025TC. this site has loads more pics. I'd like to one day get a copy of the story of BSR book, seems essential if you're interested in these decks. As concerns that model with the stud which senses the disc size from below, that was common in the Argentinian Wincos. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ben. Last edited by ben; 28th Jun 2009 at 10:21 pm.

29th Jun 2009, 12:35 pm	#18
harvestgold Hexode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 279	Re: BSR Record Player Decks I have (in the loft) what I reckon must have been one of the last BSR changers. It is fitted to an early '80s Fidelity stereo. It is very plasticky and only plays at 33 and 45, but still works well. I must get it down and take a picture. Neil.

29th Jun 2009, 1:15 pm	#19
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,326	Re: BSR Record Player Decks Is it this one? I have never seen one 'in the flesh' Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ben.

29th Jun 2009, 2:21 pm	#20
harvestgold Hexode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 279	Re: BSR Record Player Decks No, It's more "modern" looking than that. I think it has two left<>right sliding switches, one each side on the front edge of the turntable. One selects 33/45, the other operates the auto changer. Will definitely dig it out for a look! Neil.