Decca gramophone value advice - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

amaybury · 1st Jul 2020, 12:18 pm

A Deccalian gramophone (installation number 318434, if that narrows it down), emerged from a recent shed clear-out, and I've been asked to dispose of it on behalf of my parents.

None of us know very much about the subject, so could anyone give me advice on what would be a sensible price to ask for it?

Also tell me if you need any more information or additional photos, I could not find many identifying marks on it to guide me.

Many thanks.

Edward Huggins · 1st Jul 2020, 12:55 pm

This is a very early DECCA "Deccalian" record player (not a Gramaphone) from c.1950/52. As it stands it is not suitable to use with today's Stereo LPs. I cannot see the Green plug in pick-up head used for 78 rpm records. It may have some appeal to vintage Decca collectors who may want to restore it back to its original condition. It is not the sort of player that will appeal to people new to "Vinyl". It is unlikely to fully work. I/We cannot suggest a value until you Post side and front views (esp. the grille) and if you can locate the Green head.

ben · 1st Jul 2020, 2:41 pm

Whatever you do, don't attempt to plug this in. Apart form the perished cable, there could the motor capacitors that have gone leaky or short circuit with age.

The ancient plug should give you an idea of how long it's been since this was last used!

Techman · 1st Jul 2020, 3:00 pm

I agree with all that's been said.

Is that the other head in the back left hand corner, it may have been just brown and not green on this model?

At least it still has its original mains lead - these normally get lost.

It's certainly an interesting item which can't really be valued, but well worth saving.

AC/HL · 1st Jul 2020, 3:06 pm

There is some information in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=124566
There are others, use the search box above. I think I can see the brown 78 head top left.
The service data refers to this as a lightweight pickup, but that's relative of course. This was one of the earliest record players to be suitable for the new LP records. As said, restoration only!

Michael Maurice · 1st Jul 2020, 6:37 pm

Decca used a brown head for 78's

Edward Huggins · 2nd Jul 2020, 7:15 am

Thanks for this Michael, what made me think Green?
Yes, that does look like the other Head top LHS, it's facing upwards.

amaybury · 2nd Jul 2020, 11:27 am

Thank you all so much for your advice. It has been in storage for so long that I couldn't hope it might work, and I wouldn't know where to start plugging it in, since as you say the plug is ancient. I would imagine as you suggest that anyone interested in it would be collectors wanting to restore it; I'm hoping they would buy it for that purpose, since we would prefer to imagine it going to an interested collector, rather than for parts or something.

I've taken more photos of the grilles and other parts as requested; front grill and close-up, right hand side with handle and unknown pair of orifices, brown whatsit in top left corner of control panel, and back end with hinges and grills. There is nothing to be seen on the left hand side.

Can anyone give me a ballpark value on the strength of these?

Edward Huggins · 2nd Jul 2020, 12:47 pm

This may appeal to serious Decca collecting Members here who have the time, experience to repair it and would use it for older records. Otherwise you might try it on an online auction site as non-working, say £35-00 to a maximum of £50-00?
From the information already provided here you can compile suitable wording for the Listing text. However, it still may not sell, this one is for specialists only!

Hartley118 · 2nd Jul 2020, 1:46 pm

It's frustrating that Deccalian record players don't enjoy the nostalgia-inspired high prices of Dansette models. The Deccalian produces a much superior sound quality, with its 3-stage amplifier of 'grown-up' design with a 6V6 output, and decent Celestion speaker. But, unlike a Dansette you do have to change your own records, just like today's turntables. When it comes to playing 78s, it's difficult to beat the quality of an original Deccalian with its dedicated 78 head (the 'brown whatsit').

Viewed with a technical eye, the Deccalian is a masterpiece. Yours looks to have the original BSR transcription-quality turntable. Decca were one of the first to recognise that the new-fangled slow LP speed of 33 1/3 RPM needed a special high inertia turntable and worked with BSR to develop something special - probably the very first BSR turntable to come out of their Old Hill factory.

Bill has rightly steered us to a previous thread https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=124566 , which has a lot more information.

The Deccalian was regarded as sufficiently innovative to feature in the 1951 Festival of Britain exhibition on the South Bank. I've attached a photo showing the 'typical' living room setting from the Festival with the Deccalian given pride of place.

Martin

P.S. the grilles at the back are for ventilation of its rather serious valve amplifier. If you plug the player straight into the mains without technical precautions, you're likely to see white smoke emerging from them!

amaybury · 4th Jul 2020, 10:29 am

Thank you. We are not particularly bothered about the price: we would like to get a sensible market price on principle, as it's never fun to feel cheated, but it won't matter a hoot if the sensible market price is not a high one, it will just be nice to have the space in the shed. Thank you, Martin, for that interesting information about the Festival of Britain and the photo.

I will list it on the forum at £40 then, and hopefully someone will show an interest. Many thanks again for everyone's help.

1st Jul 2020, 12:18 pm	#1
amaybury No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Petersfield, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 5	Decca gramophone value advice A Deccalian gramophone (installation number 318434, if that narrows it down), emerged from a recent shed clear-out, and I've been asked to dispose of it on behalf of my parents. None of us know very much about the subject, so could anyone give me advice on what would be a sensible price to ask for it? Also tell me if you need any more information or additional photos, I could not find many identifying marks on it to guide me. Many thanks. Attached Thumbnails

1st Jul 2020, 12:55 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Decca gramophone value advice This is a very early DECCA "Deccalian" record player (not a Gramaphone) from c.1950/52. As it stands it is not suitable to use with today's Stereo LPs. I cannot see the Green plug in pick-up head used for 78 rpm records. It may have some appeal to vintage Decca collectors who may want to restore it back to its original condition. It is not the sort of player that will appeal to people new to "Vinyl". It is unlikely to fully work. I/We cannot suggest a value until you Post side and front views (esp. the grille) and if you can locate the Green head. __________________ Edward.

1st Jul 2020, 2:41 pm	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Decca gramophone value advice Whatever you do, don't attempt to plug this in. Apart form the perished cable, there could the motor capacitors that have gone leaky or short circuit with age. The ancient plug should give you an idea of how long it's been since this was last used! __________________ Regards, Ben.

1st Jul 2020, 3:00 pm	#4
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Decca gramophone value advice I agree with all that's been said. Is that the other head in the back left hand corner, it may have been just brown and not green on this model? At least it still has its original mains lead - these normally get lost. It's certainly an interesting item which can't really be valued, but well worth saving.

1st Jul 2020, 3:06 pm	#5
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Decca gramophone value advice There is some information in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=124566 There are others, use the search box above. I think I can see the brown 78 head top left. The service data refers to this as a lightweight pickup, but that's relative of course. This was one of the earliest record players to be suitable for the new LP records. As said, restoration only!

1st Jul 2020, 6:37 pm	#6
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Re: Decca gramophone value advice Decca used a brown head for 78's __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

2nd Jul 2020, 7:15 am	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Decca gramophone value advice Thanks for this Michael, what made me think Green? Yes, that does look like the other Head top LHS, it's facing upwards. __________________ Edward.

2nd Jul 2020, 11:27 am	#8
amaybury No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Petersfield, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Decca gramophone value advice Thank you all so much for your advice. It has been in storage for so long that I couldn't hope it might work, and I wouldn't know where to start plugging it in, since as you say the plug is ancient. I would imagine as you suggest that anyone interested in it would be collectors wanting to restore it; I'm hoping they would buy it for that purpose, since we would prefer to imagine it going to an interested collector, rather than for parts or something. I've taken more photos of the grilles and other parts as requested; front grill and close-up, right hand side with handle and unknown pair of orifices, brown whatsit in top left corner of control panel, and back end with hinges and grills. There is nothing to be seen on the left hand side. Can anyone give me a ballpark value on the strength of these? Attached Thumbnails

2nd Jul 2020, 12:47 pm	#9
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Decca gramophone value advice This may appeal to serious Decca collecting Members here who have the time, experience to repair it and would use it for older records. Otherwise you might try it on an online auction site as non-working, say £35-00 to a maximum of £50-00? From the information already provided here you can compile suitable wording for the Listing text. However, it still may not sell, this one is for specialists only! __________________ Edward.

2nd Jul 2020, 1:46 pm	#10
Hartley118 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 2,198	Re: Decca gramophone value advice It's frustrating that Deccalian record players don't enjoy the nostalgia-inspired high prices of Dansette models. The Deccalian produces a much superior sound quality, with its 3-stage amplifier of 'grown-up' design with a 6V6 output, and decent Celestion speaker. But, unlike a Dansette you do have to change your own records, just like today's turntables. When it comes to playing 78s, it's difficult to beat the quality of an original Deccalian with its dedicated 78 head (the 'brown whatsit'). Viewed with a technical eye, the Deccalian is a masterpiece. Yours looks to have the original BSR transcription-quality turntable. Decca were one of the first to recognise that the new-fangled slow LP speed of 33 1/3 RPM needed a special high inertia turntable and worked with BSR to develop something special - probably the very first BSR turntable to come out of their Old Hill factory. Bill has rightly steered us to a previous thread https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=124566 , which has a lot more information. The Deccalian was regarded as sufficiently innovative to feature in the 1951 Festival of Britain exhibition on the South Bank. I've attached a photo showing the 'typical' living room setting from the Festival with the Deccalian given pride of place. Martin P.S. the grilles at the back are for ventilation of its rather serious valve amplifier. If you plug the player straight into the mains without technical precautions, you're likely to see white smoke emerging from them! Attached Thumbnails __________________ BVWS Member Last edited by Hartley118; 2nd Jul 2020 at 1:52 pm. Reason: To add picture

4th Jul 2020, 10:29 am	#11
amaybury No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Petersfield, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Decca gramophone value advice Thank you. We are not particularly bothered about the price: we would like to get a sensible market price on principle, as it's never fun to feel cheated, but it won't matter a hoot if the sensible market price is not a high one, it will just be nice to have the space in the shed. Thank you, Martin, for that interesting information about the Festival of Britain and the photo. I will list it on the forum at £40 then, and hopefully someone will show an interest. Many thanks again for everyone's help.