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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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21st Sep 2021, 10:01 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Liskeard, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 12
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GEC BC9638 radiogram
Hi I’ve just joined the group and wonder if anyone has come across a GEC BC9638 radiogram. I picked one up today and now realise that is from the mid 50s. Any help or information would be appreciated. Thanks
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21st Sep 2021, 10:36 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,823
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Hi and welcome to the forum.
The service info for this gram is available here : https://www.service-data.com/product...53/3320/m12453 Cheers Mike T
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22nd Sep 2021, 5:40 pm | #3 |
Triode
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Liskeard, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 12
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Thank you that was very quick. It turns out the 9638 makes it a 1953 model so not the easiest to repair and is in a pretty poor condition with the garrard deck very stuck. I’m currently toying with my options. One is the dump of course. But thanks anyway
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22nd Sep 2021, 10:26 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,869
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Can you confirm make of deck, is either a Garrard or Collaro. Thanks.
John |
22nd Sep 2021, 10:34 pm | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Post #3 says Garrard.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
23rd Sep 2021, 8:36 am | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,869
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Yes I did read that, however Service information for a very similar model had a Collaro deck fitted.
John |
23rd Sep 2021, 8:59 am | #7 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,800
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
1953 is a long time ago and many things have happened.... like microgroove records.
There is a fair possibility that the deck has been changed as an update at some time so that newer records can be played. Some photos would clear up any uncertainty, and let models of radiogram and turntable be spotted. David
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23rd Sep 2021, 9:21 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 3,273
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
I suspect that this one has the original deck.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/genera...638bc_963.html Peter |
23rd Sep 2021, 12:37 pm | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,869
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Yes I agree with the comments. If it was a Collaro deck and the RP was going to “dump” it post #3, I would be interested in purchasing the deck, for parts.
John |
23rd Sep 2021, 1:44 pm | #10 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,786
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
If you do give up on it, you should at least save the valves, which although not worth a lot are easy to post. Somebody somewhere will be grateful.
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24th Sep 2021, 10:55 am | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 4,985
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Having looked at a picture of one it's a strange looking thing - like a giant picture frame and not the nicest of designs it has to be said!
It looks like it could have two different decks fitted during manufacture and the one in the OPs gram is a Garrard RC75. It'll need work doing to this deck probably including replacing the two belts with something and dismantling and servicing the mechanism. The pickup cartridge in the head of the tone arm is likely to be completely duff and the rest of the electronics will need servicing with possibly several capacitors being replaced to prevent smoke and a bang! It is a shame to scrap it, but it has to be said that it's not a particularly nice looking thing and especially if it's in poor condition. However, what I would say is that it would be worth saving the record deck and the radio/amplifier chassis and speaker, although I suspect that this may be a step too far for you. At the very least just save the centre record spindle from the record deck turntable platter (they always get lost or broken and folk want them - it just lifts out) and also the pickup head if it's the plug in type - even with a dud cartridge the head is still worth having. As has already been said, save all five of the valves if you can. |
24th Sep 2021, 11:36 am | #12 |
Triode
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Liskeard, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 12
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
I hope I’ve posted a picture of the deck. Thanks for all of your input. I’ve made a decision to break all of the components off the chassis and dump the cabinet. I’m still quite interested in getting the deck got work or at least try. Anyone any ideas?
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24th Sep 2021, 11:48 am | #13 |
Triode
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Liskeard, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 12
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Definitely a Garrard deck
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24th Sep 2021, 12:19 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
It's a Garrard RC110 3 speed from early-mid 1955, sans platter mat.
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Edward. |
24th Sep 2021, 1:49 pm | #15 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 4,985
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
Yes, that's definitely a Garrard deck, but not the one I thought it was, it's something like a 120 or similar and would probably be easier to get going than the earlier RC75 that I thought would be from the available information - it's worth saving, but you may like to have a re-think and try to get the whole gram going. It's a strange looking gram, but probably quite rare - I've never seen another one like it...it's going to need some work, though.
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24th Sep 2021, 2:24 pm | #16 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 4,985
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
That's it Edward - your delayed post had already identified the deck.
A platter mat will need making - easy enough. What I would say is that the deck you have there will be a lot better bet for playing more modern records that the RC75, as these can be a nightmare when playing 7" 45rpm singles if you're not familiar with them and the records themselves are not perfectly flat and balanced, so things are looking better if you decide to restore the radiogram. you'll need to replace the cartridge, but the cheaper Chinese ones that are very good should work just fine with this gram. |
24th Sep 2021, 2:40 pm | #17 |
Triode
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Liskeard, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 12
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
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24th Sep 2021, 5:52 pm | #18 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,906
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
It looks as though the cartridge has been renewed.
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24th Sep 2021, 11:01 pm | #19 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
Posts: 7,219
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Re: GEC BC9638 radiogram
That deck is not easy to service, if you try to remove the arm, you'll find 15 tiny ball bearings fall out.
If you are selling it, i'd be interested. I've sent you a PM |