Info on the Vortexion needed - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

reel-to-reel-man · 16th Dec 2005, 8:20 am

Now I have a few Vortexions, also I have a few ferrographs inc the 100YD, I got this machine and think it may be a very early vortexion, its the vortexion layout, the case is similar, but its uding the 100 series wearite deck which I have never seen in a vortexion, does anyone know of this machine?

http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/SE...ion/b8_1_b.jpg
http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/SE...ion/29_1_b.jpg
http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/SE...ion/34_1_b.jpg
Pics from the Ebay auction as I have not yet got the mahcine and do not know whats inside it yet

terry123 · 17th Dec 2005, 12:26 pm

hello there

Vortexion produced a version of their well known WVA/B series as early as 1951/52. these differed in that the cabinet although similar in size, were covered in a maroon coloured, covered rexene case (the same colour that was used on Simon Sp1's). The speaker was housed in the base of the cabinet and was a circular full sized Goodmans type unlike the later elliptical monitor, fitted on the front. (the base of the cabinet shown in your pictures show similar cut outs,although you also appear to have the later monitor speaker fitted as well). In effect the speaker output was muffled when the machine was laid down for normal use. Valve line up was all octal IE: EF37as etc. There does not appear to be any period advertising for these (or certainly none that I have uncovered) and this model appears to have been superceded fairly quickly. The machine you are showing appears to follow the same design of cabinet albeit in a deluxe polished wood version, with the underside identical to the early series as above. I am not convinced though that the amplifier top face plate is right and it would appear that various indicator lamps and belling coax sockets have been added much later. The knobs and function bezels appear to be original. It is possible that the face plate is not original at all and that it has been butchered. In the early machine I have in the collection, the amplifier panel is of steel mesh construction throughout, to allow the heat generated to disperse, this design was changed on the later machines to the more familar louvered pressing above the transformer and output stage. Like most firms of the period, machines to special order were produced. Ferrograph for instance could supply a Model D in a highly polished wood case. I suspect therefore Vortextion did the same and is probably what you have along with a few (added later) features. The earlist circuit I have on any of these machines is dated 1953 and is for the B series. The valve line up in this is differant. The wearite deck fitted on your machine looks right for the period in question and is an "A" deck with slightly later production mods. The cabinet definetely looks to be of production quality.

I would be interested to know what you actually find inside!

Finally just to show that vortextion carried out oddball requests I have attached a picture of a late 50's WVA (series 4 wearite) that has been returned at some stage to Vortextion (probably in the mid 1960's)to have a third stereo head fitted, 1/4 track, along with tranny preamp stages and remote stop start! All mods carried out in the factory in Wimbledon. Again though it does not appear to be an advertised service. (The factory fitted Painton connectors have at some later stage been changed to jack plugs as seen on the power connector/aux panel). The din socket supplies the remote stop/start feature (via a vortexion fitted selenoid and small pcb fitted to underside of deck) the control knob is for channel balance.

Terry Martini

reel-to-reel-man · 17th Dec 2005, 5:30 pm

Thank you for the help, the audio connectors however do not look to be coax, have a close look at the pic below, though poor quality you can see what looks like an off centre connector, possibly 2-3 pins inside that shell, there is also a pic of the mains input with no extra connection for adding a stereo head at later date, there is no picture of the other side so I don't know if there are jack plugs there. The case defiantly looks to be Vortexion however all the Vortexion I have ever had have only one hole grill in the bottom, this machine has more, does this get hotter than normal? The feet defiantly look out of please, they mist have been added at a later date, probably should be metal instead of rubber.

Do you have any other info on the first Vortexion you speak of, something like a photo?

http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...xion/input.jpg
http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...on/unusual.jpg

terry123 · 17th Dec 2005, 7:53 pm

The connectors are "Plessey" manufactered types from a range produced and occasionally found on tape recorders, but more often on test gear and military equipment. The Simon SP4 for example uses one on the low imp input. This would make sense for balanced line working with the two centre pins used for the signal, with the metal shell as the screen. I also have these fitted to prototype EMI machine from the mid 50's with a similar arrangement. The connectors themselves are extremly hard to find so unless you get a couple with the machine you may have to do a careful bit of surgury. The machine will definetly run hot with the amp panel as is. Look carefully though and it does look as if the output or rectifier valve has it's own little circular heat grill. Returning to the plessey connectors, this is definetely not standard Vortexion issue, unless the specifer asked for this my best guess is that these have been added later. Without a picture of the input connector panel that is as I say, a guess at the moment. I am pretty sure the plessey connectors did not appear until the mid fifties, later then the machine.

The mains input panel is probably correct as the third head position was not available on the standard issue early wearite decks from this period I am pretty sure my early machine has an identical panel.

We moved house up to scotland (from London) in July this year. The whole collection came up in a seperate lorry and is currently in store until the house is sorted. I will not be able to get to the machine at the moment but intend sorting out the Vortexion page for the website over xmas and early new year. Hopefully it will appear then once I can get at it!

regards

Terry

reel-to-reel-man · 17th Dec 2005, 9:11 pm

This could well be a military one as the meter does have the crow's foot, thought it would be very unusual for a military machine to have a wooden case.

Bob955i · 17th Dec 2005, 10:27 pm

reelguy: About MOD tape recorders having wooden cases - there used to be a large army surplus place up in Perth (UK

) that had 4-track mono recorders in varnished wooden cases. Unfortunately, I can't recall exactly what the make was, but it definitely wasn't Wearite based. What I do remember though is that they all had the sort of facilities that you would find in a language lab machine.

terry123 · 18th Dec 2005, 1:42 pm

The only other machines I have come across using this type of cabinet are Clarke and Smith and I think they had military contracts. Possibly also Tandberg who specilised in language tape machines.

Regards, Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob955i

reelguy: About MOD tape recorders having wooden cases - there used to be a large army surplus place up in Perth (UK

) that had 4-track mono recorders in varnished wooden cases. Unfortunately, I can't recall exactly what the make was, but it definitely wasn't Wearite based. What I do remember though is that they all had the sort of facilities that you would find in a language lab machine.

reel-to-reel-man · 18th Dec 2005, 3:47 pm

Thank you all for your help on this machine, when I get it (Probably after Christmas), I shall find out a bit more about the internals, take some better pictures and see if I can find any dates or labels.

reel-to-reel-man · 31st Jan 2006, 8:10 pm

The Vortexion arrived today but in a bit of a state, on first looks this machine does not look too early as it has only one large valve (Rectifier like all Vortexion) and the rest are miniature valves. The meter is military, it has the crows foot and has a date of 1950 on it, though this is not the most accurate way of getting its age, its the only date found so far.
I will post more pic's soon.

reel-to-reel-man · 5th Feb 2006, 12:05 am

reel-to-reel-man · 8th Feb 2006, 9:30 am

Still looking for info on this one, I have powered the machine up using a variac, oiled all motors and mechanical parts, after 30 minuets of slow powering up I applied full power, the machine was very sluggish to do anything, it did make some musical noise before belching out smoke.

Onwards and upwards, will have it working soon

16th Dec 2005, 8:20 am	#1
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Info on the Vortexion needed Now I have a few Vortexions, also I have a few ferrographs inc the 100YD, I got this machine and think it may be a very early vortexion, its the vortexion layout, the case is similar, but its uding the 100 series wearite deck which I have never seen in a vortexion, does anyone know of this machine? http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/SE...ion/b8_1_b.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/SE...ion/29_1_b.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/SE...ion/34_1_b.jpg Pics from the Ebay auction as I have not yet got the mahcine and do not know whats inside it yet __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

17th Dec 2005, 12:26 pm	#2
terry123 Pentode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rosyth, Fife, UK. Posts: 204	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed hello there Vortexion produced a version of their well known WVA/B series as early as 1951/52. these differed in that the cabinet although similar in size, were covered in a maroon coloured, covered rexene case (the same colour that was used on Simon Sp1's). The speaker was housed in the base of the cabinet and was a circular full sized Goodmans type unlike the later elliptical monitor, fitted on the front. (the base of the cabinet shown in your pictures show similar cut outs,although you also appear to have the later monitor speaker fitted as well). In effect the speaker output was muffled when the machine was laid down for normal use. Valve line up was all octal IE: EF37as etc. There does not appear to be any period advertising for these (or certainly none that I have uncovered) and this model appears to have been superceded fairly quickly. The machine you are showing appears to follow the same design of cabinet albeit in a deluxe polished wood version, with the underside identical to the early series as above. I am not convinced though that the amplifier top face plate is right and it would appear that various indicator lamps and belling coax sockets have been added much later. The knobs and function bezels appear to be original. It is possible that the face plate is not original at all and that it has been butchered. In the early machine I have in the collection, the amplifier panel is of steel mesh construction throughout, to allow the heat generated to disperse, this design was changed on the later machines to the more familar louvered pressing above the transformer and output stage. Like most firms of the period, machines to special order were produced. Ferrograph for instance could supply a Model D in a highly polished wood case. I suspect therefore Vortextion did the same and is probably what you have along with a few (added later) features. The earlist circuit I have on any of these machines is dated 1953 and is for the B series. The valve line up in this is differant. The wearite deck fitted on your machine looks right for the period in question and is an "A" deck with slightly later production mods. The cabinet definetely looks to be of production quality. I would be interested to know what you actually find inside! Finally just to show that vortextion carried out oddball requests I have attached a picture of a late 50's WVA (series 4 wearite) that has been returned at some stage to Vortextion (probably in the mid 1960's)to have a third stereo head fitted, 1/4 track, along with tranny preamp stages and remote stop start! All mods carried out in the factory in Wimbledon. Again though it does not appear to be an advertised service. (The factory fitted Painton connectors have at some later stage been changed to jack plugs as seen on the power connector/aux panel). The din socket supplies the remote stop/start feature (via a vortexion fitted selenoid and small pcb fitted to underside of deck) the control knob is for channel balance. Terry Martini Attached Thumbnails __________________ Terry Martini-Yates BVWS Committee Vice Chair Last edited by terry123; 17th Dec 2005 at 12:55 pm.

17th Dec 2005, 5:30 pm	#3
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed Thank you for the help, the audio connectors however do not look to be coax, have a close look at the pic below, though poor quality you can see what looks like an off centre connector, possibly 2-3 pins inside that shell, there is also a pic of the mains input with no extra connection for adding a stereo head at later date, there is no picture of the other side so I don't know if there are jack plugs there. The case defiantly looks to be Vortexion however all the Vortexion I have ever had have only one hole grill in the bottom, this machine has more, does this get hotter than normal? The feet defiantly look out of please, they mist have been added at a later date, probably should be metal instead of rubber. Do you have any other info on the first Vortexion you speak of, something like a photo? http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...xion/input.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...on/unusual.jpg __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

17th Dec 2005, 7:53 pm	#4
terry123 Pentode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rosyth, Fife, UK. Posts: 204	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed The connectors are "Plessey" manufactered types from a range produced and occasionally found on tape recorders, but more often on test gear and military equipment. The Simon SP4 for example uses one on the low imp input. This would make sense for balanced line working with the two centre pins used for the signal, with the metal shell as the screen. I also have these fitted to prototype EMI machine from the mid 50's with a similar arrangement. The connectors themselves are extremly hard to find so unless you get a couple with the machine you may have to do a careful bit of surgury. The machine will definetly run hot with the amp panel as is. Look carefully though and it does look as if the output or rectifier valve has it's own little circular heat grill. Returning to the plessey connectors, this is definetely not standard Vortexion issue, unless the specifer asked for this my best guess is that these have been added later. Without a picture of the input connector panel that is as I say, a guess at the moment. I am pretty sure the plessey connectors did not appear until the mid fifties, later then the machine. The mains input panel is probably correct as the third head position was not available on the standard issue early wearite decks from this period I am pretty sure my early machine has an identical panel. We moved house up to scotland (from London) in July this year. The whole collection came up in a seperate lorry and is currently in store until the house is sorted. I will not be able to get to the machine at the moment but intend sorting out the Vortexion page for the website over xmas and early new year. Hopefully it will appear then once I can get at it! regards Terry __________________ Terry Martini-Yates BVWS Committee Vice Chair Last edited by terry123; 17th Dec 2005 at 8:06 pm.

17th Dec 2005, 9:11 pm	#5
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed This could well be a military one as the meter does have the crow's foot, thought it would be very unusual for a military machine to have a wooden case. __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

17th Dec 2005, 10:27 pm	#6
Bob955i Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Leven Posts: 38	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed reelguy: About MOD tape recorders having wooden cases - there used to be a large army surplus place up in Perth (UK) that had 4-track mono recorders in varnished wooden cases. Unfortunately, I can't recall exactly what the make was, but it definitely wasn't Wearite based. What I do remember though is that they all had the sort of facilities that you would find in a language lab machine.

18th Dec 2005, 3:47 pm	#8
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed Thank you all for your help on this machine, when I get it (Probably after Christmas), I shall find out a bit more about the internals, take some better pictures and see if I can find any dates or labels. __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

31st Jan 2006, 8:10 pm	#9
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed The Vortexion arrived today but in a bit of a state, on first looks this machine does not look too early as it has only one large valve (Rectifier like all Vortexion) and the rest are miniature valves. The meter is military, it has the crows foot and has a date of 1950 on it, though this is not the most accurate way of getting its age, its the only date found so far. I will post more pic's soon. __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

5th Feb 2006, 12:05 am	#10
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed Here are some pics, the recorder has been repaired and normal restoration can continue, some pics of before when I got the mahcine, the recorder restoration has not been completed but it would be interesting on what age people think it is. Before http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se.../before 01.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se.../before 02.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se.../before 03.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se.../before 04.jpg And now for after including pics of amp and internals http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...xion/amp 1.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...xion/amp 2.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...ion/deck 1.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...ion/deck 2.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...ion/repair.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/se...ase repair.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/seb/vortexion/01.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/seb/vortexion/02.jpg http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/seb/vortexion/03.jpg So what do you think? what age is this machine? __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

8th Feb 2006, 9:30 am	#11
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Info on the Vortexion needed Still looking for info on this one, I have powered the machine up using a variac, oiled all motors and mechanical parts, after 30 minuets of slow powering up I applied full power, the machine was very sluggish to do anything, it did make some musical noise before belching out smoke. Onwards and upwards, will have it working soon __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk