Decca Stereogram Decola

[Dj Picasso]

Good afternoon, my late father kept a few antiques including a Decca Decola Stereogram (pictures supplied). I’m in the West Midlands area and wanted to know if there is anyone in the forum who is local and would be able to have look at the condition of it.

[Edward Huggins]

Lucky to have this! I'm sure you are aware it's not complete as the (Decca London) tone arm is missing. What is the wooden panel to the right of the turntable covering? You'll soon have a few Decca enthusiasts knocking at your door to take a peek at this.....

[ben]

Just by studying the pictures it seems the tonearm is missing! Pity, as that platter looks nice and heavy.
What are you planning to do with this, as our advice will depend in this factor.
If you want to keep and use it, a replacement tonearm of same or similar type can be sourced and fitted without too much hassle I imagine. Then there will be electronic restoration work on the amplifier that may or may not be complicated.
If you want to sell it as-is, you may have more of a job on your hands due to the bulk and current unusable state. I am sure other members will add their thoughts.

[Cobaltblue]

You need to check it for completeness.

Other than the tone arm is anything else missing.

The pre-amp and tuner should be behind the curved sections above the speakers.

I have owned two of these both sold in the mid 1990's and they were expensive then.

Cheers

Mike T

[snowman_al]

Access the rear of the unit and take some more pictures of the internal parts.
All the Decca Decolas have value, but that is mostly in the amplifiers. The tone arm and cartridge might be nearby?

[Hartley118]

Good to see that it still has its original Collaro 4TR200 transcription turntable - an excellent unit comparable with the legendary Garrard 301.

Martin

[RojDW48]

I restored one of these a few years ago with much help from another forum member - really superb piece of kit. The missing tonearm is Decca's FFSS type with the clip in FFSS cartridge. I can help with those if anyone takes it on.

Please open it up and take more pics. There should be 2 X EL34 amps and a power supply in the back, pre-amp behind the R/H door, Tuner behind the L/H door and 14 drivers behind the grille panels.

[Robint 47]

Looks like speakers might be missing. Compartment on side of deck not standard wonder what's underneath, grille missing won't find one of these with any ease. Speaker cloth should be green.

Robin

[Audio1950]

I had one of these a few years ago, and the amp and tuner were inside the cabinet, to the right of the Garrard AT6 deck, which incorporated a Decca magnetic cartridge. The double doors in the front concealed a television, and the curved pieces over the speakers were, as far as I remember, dummy drawers. It looks likely that the one featured here may be a version of that. Alas, the sheer size of the beast made it impossible to accommodate when I moved to a smaller house.

Barry

[RojDW48]

Originally Posted by Audio1950

I had one of these a few years ago, and the amp and tuner were inside the cabinet, to the right of the Garrard AT6 deck, which incorporated a Decca magnetic cartridge. The double doors in the front concealed a television, and the curved pieces over the speakers were, as far as I remember, dummy drawers. It looks likely that the one featured here may be a version of that. Alas, the sheer size of the beast made it impossible to accommodate when I moved to a smaller house.

Barry

Well I have never seen that arrangement, but I would love to! Do you have any pics of it, Barry?

[Audio1950]

Originally Posted by RojDW48

Well I have never seen that arrangement, but I would love to! Do you have any pics of it, Barry?

No, sorry, I gave it away when we moved, and never thought to take pictures. I would imagine though that as the Garrard AT6 was original, mine dated from C1963, whereas the one featured would have been earlier going by the Collaro turntable?

Barry

[Heatercathodeshort]

Scanned from the 1st edition of the Decca 'Blue Book'. It is not dated but the television receivers listed date it to around 1966. Any chance of some internal pictures? John.

[RojDW48]

Good to see that, John. Yes - the one in the thread was developed for the advent of stereo records in 1958, but, IIRC, didn't make it to market until '59.

[Edward Huggins]

We've not heard more from the OP. Nor has anyone offer to take a Peek at it. I think he was more looking for an inspection? Maybe after our comments here, his interest in it may have waned as it's value/condition is not what we all might have expected....

[Robint 47]

From my copy of the Decca dealer catalogue of September 1964 cost of a Stereo Decola was 348 gns an auto model was 361 gns and with a 23 inch TV a modest 500gns.I still hold an amount of Decca advertising material for these models.
Robin

[Audio1950]

Originally Posted by Robint 47

From my copy of the Decca dealer catalogue of September 1964 cost of a Stereo Decola was 348 gns an auto model was 361 gns and with a 23 inch TV a modest 500gns.I still hold an amount of Decca advertising material for these models.
Robin

I paid the princely sum of £12 for mine from the local auction!

Barry

[RojDW48]

Mine is now in Japan, where I am told listeners gather, burn incense and bow down to it before switching it on !!

[jayellis]

I've started a Collaro Heavies group on Facebook and one of the members restored a Decca Decola. I'm sure he would help you with yours.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/279242193540748

[Edward Huggins]

In this Group of TTs do you include the Collaro RP594 from 1959 - the version with the 12" die-cast platter, not the 10" steel platter?

[Radio Wrangler]

With just a single post, three months back, I fear recent posts are talking to no-one.

David