Pre-BD1 Sugden-Connoisseur Deck identification please. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Serthish · 29th May 2020, 8:07 pm

Hello all,

Just looking for some info on the below deck that I was kindly gifted by a local member on here.

Prepare yourselves, it's in a bad way. And that's an understatement!

All I can make out is that it has a LEAK arm and is a Connoisseur manufactured by A.R. Sugden and Co Ltd.

Many thanks in advance.

ajgriff · 29th May 2020, 8:29 pm

I think it's the remains of one of these (see attached photo). Not sure whether or not it actually had a model number.

Alan

Ted Kendall · 29th May 2020, 8:40 pm

I think this was just known as the Three Speed - idler driven, and very good in its time. This was part of a decent mono setup once - the arm is for the Leak moving coil mono pickup (a stereo version was announced but never appeared because Leak sold out to Rank) and there is also the rather fine Auriol pickup control. Worth some time and trouble. A careful clean is first on the agenda, methinks...

Serthish · 29th May 2020, 10:03 pm

Thanks for your responses gents. Unfortunately I don't have the time or knowledge to refurb so I'd rather leave any and all cleaning etc to someone else who knows what they are doing.
A bit of further research has thrown up a couple more questions however.

A lot of the pictures and threads I can find on the 3 speed have the Connoisseur label writing on a diagonal whereas mine is flat. There also appears to be a difference in the knob at the bottom left of the deck, others I've seen have had more switch type knobs. Is it likely that this has been modified? Or a early/later version?

Appreciate that it is a lovely piece of audio history, and once fully restored, could make someone very happy again. Believe it or not, this and 2 Thorens were salvaged by a friend from the tip one day!

Edit: Additional further research suggests that its a Connoisseur Type B 3 speed turntable - https://www.beykirch.net/Thorens/Thorensbuch_k.pdf page 155

29th May 2020, 8:07 pm	#1
Serthish Triode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Pentraeth, Anglesey, North Wales, UK. Posts: 16	Pre-BD1 Sugden-Connoisseur Deck identification please. Hello all, Just looking for some info on the below deck that I was kindly gifted by a local member on here. Prepare yourselves, it's in a bad way. And that's an understatement! All I can make out is that it has a LEAK arm and is a Connoisseur manufactured by A.R. Sugden and Co Ltd. Many thanks in advance. Attached Thumbnails

29th May 2020, 8:29 pm	#2
ajgriff Nonode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,587	Re: Pre-BD1 Sugden-Connoisseur Deck identification please. I think it's the remains of one of these (see attached photo). Not sure whether or not it actually had a model number. Alan Attached Thumbnails

29th May 2020, 8:40 pm	#3
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Pre-BD1 Sugden-Connoisseur Deck identification please. I think this was just known as the Three Speed - idler driven, and very good in its time. This was part of a decent mono setup once - the arm is for the Leak moving coil mono pickup (a stereo version was announced but never appeared because Leak sold out to Rank) and there is also the rather fine Auriol pickup control. Worth some time and trouble. A careful clean is first on the agenda, methinks...

29th May 2020, 10:03 pm	#4
Serthish Triode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Pentraeth, Anglesey, North Wales, UK. Posts: 16	Re: Pre-BD1 Sugden-Connoisseur Deck identification please. Thanks for your responses gents. Unfortunately I don't have the time or knowledge to refurb so I'd rather leave any and all cleaning etc to someone else who knows what they are doing. A bit of further research has thrown up a couple more questions however. A lot of the pictures and threads I can find on the 3 speed have the Connoisseur label writing on a diagonal whereas mine is flat. There also appears to be a difference in the knob at the bottom left of the deck, others I've seen have had more switch type knobs. Is it likely that this has been modified? Or a early/later version? Appreciate that it is a lovely piece of audio history, and once fully restored, could make someone very happy again. Believe it or not, this and 2 Thorens were salvaged by a friend from the tip one day! Edit: Additional further research suggests that its a Connoisseur Type B 3 speed turntable - https://www.beykirch.net/Thorens/Thorensbuch_k.pdf page 155 Last edited by Serthish; 29th May 2020 at 10:22 pm.