|
Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
|
Thread Tools |
18th May 2021, 3:51 pm | #1 |
Diode
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2
|
Decca Stereogram Decola
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.
|
18th May 2021, 6:08 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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.....
__________________
Edward. |
18th May 2021, 6:08 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK
Posts: 7,484
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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.
__________________
Regards, Ben. |
18th May 2021, 6:24 pm | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,824
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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
__________________
Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk |
18th May 2021, 6:27 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Llandeilo, West Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,092
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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?
__________________
Never Leave Well Enough Alone... |
18th May 2021, 7:07 pm | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK.
Posts: 2,196
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
Good to see that it still has its original Collaro 4TR200 transcription turntable - an excellent unit comparable with the legendary Garrard 301.
Martin
__________________
BVWS Member |
19th May 2021, 3:28 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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.
__________________
'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |
20th May 2021, 2:05 pm | #8 |
Tetrode
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 51
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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 |
20th May 2021, 10:17 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 3,758
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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 |
21st May 2021, 12:01 am | #10 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
Quote:
__________________
'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |
|
21st May 2021, 9:33 am | #11 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 3,758
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
Quote:
Barry |
|
21st May 2021, 9:38 am | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING.
Posts: 9,145
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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.
|
21st May 2021, 11:46 am | #13 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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.
__________________
'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |
21st May 2021, 12:11 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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....
__________________
Edward. |
21st May 2021, 4:17 pm | #15 |
Tetrode
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 51
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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 |
21st May 2021, 6:12 pm | #16 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 3,758
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
Quote:
Barry |
|
22nd May 2021, 12:10 am | #17 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
Mine is now in Japan, where I am told listeners gather, burn incense and bow down to it before switching it on !!
__________________
'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |
28th Aug 2021, 10:12 am | #18 |
Triode
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Hastings, East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 20
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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 |
28th Aug 2021, 2:43 pm | #19 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
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?
__________________
Edward. |
28th Aug 2021, 4:33 pm | #20 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,801
|
Re: Decca Stereogram Decola
With just a single post, three months back, I fear recent posts are talking to no-one.
David
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |