Collaro decks. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Collaro · 14th Jul 2017, 9:35 am

Hello,

Out of interest, does anyone know of a list of all record player units produced in the UK in the 50s and 60s that utilised Collaro decks of various descriptions (I know that, of course, they were incorporated into radiograms too).

Also, I note from the service info and brochures, that, for example, ferranti supplied the RP1041 with either a Collaro or a Garrard deck? What would have been the perceived differences between the two decks - was there a heirarchy regarding quality, and where would Collaro have been in any such ranking?

Thanks!

Mike

peter_sol · 14th Jul 2017, 11:45 am

As far as the Ferranti (Ekco) was concerned it was a supply issue whatever they could get.

electrogram · 14th Jul 2017, 12:34 pm

In the fifties my father bought an EAR triple-four. He was asked what deck he would like, he said Collaro. I have a sales leaflet for the triple-four which says you could order it with Garrard, Collaro, BSR, or Starr changer. later my father was informed by an 'expert' that Garrards were used by the BBC and were better than Collaros

Collaro · 14th Jul 2017, 2:18 pm

"Better" - I wonder in what way?
I am on the lookout for a triple-four but they seem rather hard to come by.

Edward Huggins · 14th Jul 2017, 3:02 pm

Assuming you mean PORTABLE record players, here's my offering for starters:
EAR, Jonell, Pilot, Regentone (and their variants), Ekco/Ferranti, Ruco, Philco, Ferguson, Murphy and Decca.
These are just off the top of my head and I am sure I will no doubt remember more when this is sent!

Nuvistor · 14th Jul 2017, 4:26 pm

For the majority of portable record players produced in tbe 50's and 60's it would not matter which deck from Collaro, BSR or Garrard were fitted.

Some of the more expensive Hacker type of record players may have gone for Garrard but for the majority with a single Pentode valve amp or even the Triode/Pentode amplifiers it would not have made a lot of difference.

Has a Peter states, it would be whatever they could get at the best price.

Frank

Edward Huggins · 14th Jul 2017, 6:27 pm

In terms of hierachy, BSR would be at 2nd place and Garrard and Collaro tied. Even with bulk purchasing, those lovely (but over-engineered) Collaros were marginally more expensive and certainly the heaviest - not alway the best choice for a Portable!

Collaro · 15th Jul 2017, 1:35 pm

Yes, you've hit the nail on the head there. To me, the Collaros always appear to be the most substantial!

14th Jul 2017, 9:35 am	#1
Collaro Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Great Malvern, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 72	Collaro decks. Hello, Out of interest, does anyone know of a list of all record player units produced in the UK in the 50s and 60s that utilised Collaro decks of various descriptions (I know that, of course, they were incorporated into radiograms too). Also, I note from the service info and brochures, that, for example, ferranti supplied the RP1041 with either a Collaro or a Garrard deck? What would have been the perceived differences between the two decks - was there a heirarchy regarding quality, and where would Collaro have been in any such ranking? Thanks! Mike

14th Jul 2017, 11:45 am	#2
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Collaro decks. As far as the Ferranti (Ekco) was concerned it was a supply issue whatever they could get.

14th Jul 2017, 12:34 pm	#3
electrogram Heptode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hereford, UK. Posts: 719	Re: Collaro decks. In the fifties my father bought an EAR triple-four. He was asked what deck he would like, he said Collaro. I have a sales leaflet for the triple-four which says you could order it with Garrard, Collaro, BSR, or Starr changer. later my father was informed by an 'expert' that Garrards were used by the BBC and were better than Collaros

14th Jul 2017, 2:18 pm	#4
Collaro Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Great Malvern, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 72	Re: Collaro decks. "Better" - I wonder in what way? I am on the lookout for a triple-four but they seem rather hard to come by.

14th Jul 2017, 3:02 pm	#5
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Collaro decks. Assuming you mean PORTABLE record players, here's my offering for starters: EAR, Jonell, Pilot, Regentone (and their variants), Ekco/Ferranti, Ruco, Philco, Ferguson, Murphy and Decca. These are just off the top of my head and I am sure I will no doubt remember more when this is sent! __________________ Edward.

14th Jul 2017, 4:26 pm	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Collaro decks. For the majority of portable record players produced in tbe 50's and 60's it would not matter which deck from Collaro, BSR or Garrard were fitted. Some of the more expensive Hacker type of record players may have gone for Garrard but for the majority with a single Pentode valve amp or even the Triode/Pentode amplifiers it would not have made a lot of difference. Has a Peter states, it would be whatever they could get at the best price. Frank

14th Jul 2017, 6:27 pm	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Collaro decks. In terms of hierachy, BSR would be at 2nd place and Garrard and Collaro tied. Even with bulk purchasing, those lovely (but over-engineered) Collaros were marginally more expensive and certainly the heaviest - not alway the best choice for a Portable! __________________ Edward.

15th Jul 2017, 1:35 pm	#8
Collaro Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Great Malvern, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 72	Re: Collaro decks. Yes, you've hit the nail on the head there. To me, the Collaros always appear to be the most substantial!