Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

martinobianco · 11th Oct 2019, 2:12 pm

Hey all,

I picked up this Dansette Diploma a few weeks back and I'm looking to see if anyone has any information on it that could help me?

Summary of what I think I know:
It's a Dansette Diploma from around 1954?
It has a BSR Regent Deck - GU4?
The cartridge (if original) is a BSR TC4 so will play Mono only!
AC Mains

I've attached some images. Looks to be in excellent original cosmetic condition other than needing a bit of a clean, not sure what colour it is supposed to be! I can provide other photos of specific bits if needed.

Things I think I will need:
Do tests from https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=75401

Questions:
Has this been earthed post manufacture? Should it be or is this something I should look at rectifying? The flex looks to be more modern than what you'd expect
Platter Mat will need replacing, any idea where I could obtain one?
Any advice for cleaning the rexine without damaging it?

Any help appreciated.

ms660 · 11th Oct 2019, 3:28 pm

It looks like the mains transformer is an isolating type, the valve could be a UL41.

Lawrence.

Techman · 11th Oct 2019, 3:33 pm

It's a nice old example. I like those early BSR decks. The cartridge could be dud by now due to its crystal absorbing moisture over the years. The metal rectifier could possibly be suspect, but voltage checks may prove otherwise. Platter mats are available on the (new) Dansette website, but they ain't cheap. I would have thought this thread would have been better in the vintage audio section.

Station X · 11th Oct 2019, 3:50 pm

Sorry to question this, but is this not a valved version of the Dansette Diplomat

I've tried blowing up the picture of the lid, but it's unclear.

ms660 · 11th Oct 2019, 4:00 pm

It's a Diploma.

The mains transformer could be the same windings arrangement as this:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...4&d=1394320249

?

Lawrence.

martinobianco · 12th Oct 2019, 11:19 am

Thanks all. The valve is a UL41 you're correct ms660, I'll check out the windings arrangement!

Thanks for the info techman, looks like the platter mat may set me back a bit!!

Some other photos attached

Edward Huggins · 12th Oct 2019, 11:22 am

The DIPLOMA was one of the earliest portable record players from Dansette. It was called "Diploma" as it was initially aimed at the Schools Market, hence it's lack of frills.
In spite of being single-staged, on 78s this could produce a considerable output.
It has no connection with the later "Diplomat". The transformer is mains isolating (a 45v heater tap) and can be safely earthed. The GU4 deck is built like a battlesship and is easily dis-assembled. Platter mats might be found on ebay, but a 10" Pizza tray base, painted brown or black (emulsion) might serve in the meantime. These early Dansettes were built far better than later models. The Rexine can be readily cleaned with a medium toothbrush and detergent or for more deep stains, use Cif (formerly Jif) carefully.
Mine sounded very good for what it was - and was used as a period prop in the "Granchester" TV series!

AC/HL · 12th Oct 2019, 12:44 pm

That UL41 doesn't look to have done many hours, and that looks to be a Parmeko branded mains transformer, well regarded in their day.

Techman · 12th Oct 2019, 1:20 pm

I have to admit that I thought the same as Graham at first in that it was a Diplomat, but then realised that the Diplomat was a much later player and I could just see that it said Diploma on the label. I've seen one of these players somewhere before, but didn't know it was called the Diploma.

I was thinking exactly the same as Bill when I saw the picture of that valve. Those valves always show their age when they've had a hard time and that one doesn't, so looks like the player has possibly had little use during its life.

astro63 · 12th Oct 2019, 10:20 pm

at a ruff guess its had the 2 core flex replaced with 3 core inc earth im not expert but ive seen / read on here you have to be carefull where the earth is connected inside the machine

electrogram · 12th Oct 2019, 10:55 pm

The screened pickup lead appears to be uninsulated, don't like the look of it at all, it's waiting to short something

Techman · 13th Oct 2019, 1:06 pm

That type of uninsulated screened lead is typical of the late 40s early 50s and is normal for that period. It isn't ideal when it's dangling around close to live connections as it seems to be in the pictures. Either make sure it can't come into contact with live parts, insulate it somehow, or replace it.

That three core mains lead could possibly be original to the unit, if not, then it looks like it was done a very long time ago. It looks fine, but check earth continuity from the mains plug earth pin to the exposed metal parts of the unit with an ohm meter (DVM) on the lowest ohms range.

11th Oct 2019, 2:12 pm	#1
martinobianco Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2	Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required Hey all, I picked up this Dansette Diploma a few weeks back and I'm looking to see if anyone has any information on it that could help me? Summary of what I think I know: It's a Dansette Diploma from around 1954? It has a BSR Regent Deck - GU4? The cartridge (if original) is a BSR TC4 so will play Mono only! AC Mains I've attached some images. Looks to be in excellent original cosmetic condition other than needing a bit of a clean, not sure what colour it is supposed to be! I can provide other photos of specific bits if needed. Things I think I will need: Do tests from https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=75401 Questions: Has this been earthed post manufacture? Should it be or is this something I should look at rectifying? The flex looks to be more modern than what you'd expect Platter Mat will need replacing, any idea where I could obtain one? Any advice for cleaning the rexine without damaging it? Any help appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

11th Oct 2019, 3:28 pm	#2
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required It looks like the mains transformer is an isolating type, the valve could be a UL41. Lawrence.

11th Oct 2019, 3:33 pm	#3
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required It's a nice old example. I like those early BSR decks. The cartridge could be dud by now due to its crystal absorbing moisture over the years. The metal rectifier could possibly be suspect, but voltage checks may prove otherwise. Platter mats are available on the (new) Dansette website, but they ain't cheap. I would have thought this thread would have been better in the vintage audio section.

11th Oct 2019, 3:50 pm	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required Sorry to question this, but is this not a valved version of the Dansette Diplomat I've tried blowing up the picture of the lid, but it's unclear. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

11th Oct 2019, 4:00 pm	#5
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required It's a Diploma. The mains transformer could be the same windings arrangement as this: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...4&d=1394320249 ? Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 11th Oct 2019 at 4:07 pm.

12th Oct 2019, 11:19 am	#6
martinobianco Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required Thanks all. The valve is a UL41 you're correct ms660, I'll check out the windings arrangement! Thanks for the info techman, looks like the platter mat may set me back a bit!! Some other photos attached Attached Thumbnails

12th Oct 2019, 11:22 am	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,330	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required The DIPLOMA was one of the earliest portable record players from Dansette. It was called "Diploma" as it was initially aimed at the Schools Market, hence it's lack of frills. In spite of being single-staged, on 78s this could produce a considerable output. It has no connection with the later "Diplomat". The transformer is mains isolating (a 45v heater tap) and can be safely earthed. The GU4 deck is built like a battlesship and is easily dis-assembled. Platter mats might be found on ebay, but a 10" Pizza tray base, painted brown or black (emulsion) might serve in the meantime. These early Dansettes were built far better than later models. The Rexine can be readily cleaned with a medium toothbrush and detergent or for more deep stains, use Cif (formerly Jif) carefully. Mine sounded very good for what it was - and was used as a period prop in the "Granchester" TV series! __________________ Edward.

12th Oct 2019, 12:44 pm	#8
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required That UL41 doesn't look to have done many hours, and that looks to be a Parmeko branded mains transformer, well regarded in their day.

12th Oct 2019, 1:20 pm	#9
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required I have to admit that I thought the same as Graham at first in that it was a Diplomat, but then realised that the Diplomat was a much later player and I could just see that it said Diploma on the label. I've seen one of these players somewhere before, but didn't know it was called the Diploma. I was thinking exactly the same as Bill when I saw the picture of that valve. Those valves always show their age when they've had a hard time and that one doesn't, so looks like the player has possibly had little use during its life.

12th Oct 2019, 10:20 pm	#10
astro63 Pentode Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Norfolk, UK. Posts: 248	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required at a ruff guess its had the 2 core flex replaced with 3 core inc earth im not expert but ive seen / read on here you have to be carefull where the earth is connected inside the machine

12th Oct 2019, 10:55 pm	#11
electrogram Heptode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hereford, UK. Posts: 719	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required The screened pickup lead appears to be uninsulated, don't like the look of it at all, it's waiting to short something

13th Oct 2019, 1:06 pm	#12
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Dansette Diploma - BSR Regent Service Information Required That type of uninsulated screened lead is typical of the late 40s early 50s and is normal for that period. It isn't ideal when it's dangling around close to live connections as it seems to be in the pictures. Either make sure it can't come into contact with live parts, insulate it somehow, or replace it. That three core mains lead could possibly be original to the unit, if not, then it looks like it was done a very long time ago. It looks fine, but check earth continuity from the mains plug earth pin to the exposed metal parts of the unit with an ohm meter (DVM) on the lowest ohms range.