Truvox: what model? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Nymrod121 · 28th Jan 2017, 7:08 pm

Evening all,

Can anyone help with identifying the type / model number of this reel-to-reel tape machine, please?

It was given to me some months ago and today, a friend has asked me if I can transfer some cherished family recordings over to digital format.

The mechanism needs some delicate lubrication & easing of the various pivot points (e.g. the record function switch is reluctant to reset after activation).

It's in excellent condition cosmetically ...

Best wishes

Guy

Cobaltblue · 28th Jan 2017, 7:15 pm

Series 50 apparently

http://brenelltape.co.uk.websitebuil...g.co.uk/truvox

Cheers

Mike T

Ted Kendall · 28th Jan 2017, 7:17 pm

Truvox R54 - Hellyer did a service article in Tape Recorder 1968-ish.

Nymrod121 · 28th Jan 2017, 8:05 pm

Mike/Ted - thank you!

Ted, do you know if copies of that article exist (in either digital or paper format)?

Best wishes

Guy

Ted Kendall · 28th Jan 2017, 11:43 pm

I have it somewhere...but you could try www.americanradiohistory, who seem to have most of the 60s tape magzines scanned, among other things.

Yes, it seems it's there, but I'm not sure which month in '68 it is offhand. They are listed as Studio Sound, which title it didn't in fact adopt until 1970.

Ted Kendall · 29th Jan 2017, 10:23 am

I've now checked - the service article is in fact June 1969 and the review Sepember 1969...! Available as pdf on the aforementioned website.

brenellic2000 · 29th Jan 2017, 11:51 am

This is an R54 Mk.II - quarter track. The Mk.I was short lived, the Mk.II had much improved electronics. There was a half-track and a Billy Bunter proof schools' R4, R5 but the Series 50 was an immediate casualty of the Truvox/Thermionics-Racal merger.

It's a decent enough deck but doesn't compare with the superb Series 100 and 200.

Barry

28th Jan 2017, 7:08 pm	#1
Nymrod121 Nonode Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 2,052	Truvox: what model? Evening all, Can anyone help with identifying the type / model number of this reel-to-reel tape machine, please? It was given to me some months ago and today, a friend has asked me if I can transfer some cherished family recordings over to digital format. The mechanism needs some delicate lubrication & easing of the various pivot points (e.g. the record function switch is reluctant to reset after activation). It's in excellent condition cosmetically ... Best wishes Guy Attached Thumbnails __________________ "What a depressingly stupid machine." [Marvin: HHGTTG] Last edited by Nymrod121; 28th Jan 2017 at 7:13 pm. Reason: add photos

28th Jan 2017, 7:15 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,879	Re: Truvox: what model? Series 50 apparently http://brenelltape.co.uk.websitebuil...g.co.uk/truvox Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

28th Jan 2017, 7:17 pm	#3
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Truvox: what model? Truvox R54 - Hellyer did a service article in Tape Recorder 1968-ish.

28th Jan 2017, 8:05 pm	#4
Nymrod121 Nonode Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 2,052	Re: Truvox: what model? Mike/Ted - thank you! Ted, do you know if copies of that article exist (in either digital or paper format)? Best wishes Guy __________________ "What a depressingly stupid machine." [Marvin: HHGTTG]

28th Jan 2017, 11:43 pm	#5
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Truvox: what model? I have it somewhere...but you could try www.americanradiohistory, who seem to have most of the 60s tape magzines scanned, among other things. Yes, it seems it's there, but I'm not sure which month in '68 it is offhand. They are listed as Studio Sound, which title it didn't in fact adopt until 1970. Last edited by Ted Kendall; 28th Jan 2017 at 11:52 pm.

29th Jan 2017, 10:23 am	#6
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Truvox: what model? I've now checked - the service article is in fact June 1969 and the review Sepember 1969...! Available as pdf on the aforementioned website.

29th Jan 2017, 11:51 am	#7
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: Truvox: what model? This is an R54 Mk.II - quarter track. The Mk.I was short lived, the Mk.II had much improved electronics. There was a half-track and a Billy Bunter proof schools' R4, R5 but the Series 50 was an immediate casualty of the Truvox/Thermionics-Racal merger. It's a decent enough deck but doesn't compare with the superb Series 100 and 200. Barry