The classic 60's TV set?

[slderiron]

I'm not a big collector of vintage TV's. I just have three, a Sony KV1320 and two Bush TV22's. For me the 1950's Bush, purely because of its classic design (bakelite case) and the 1970's Sony KV1320 (legendary reliability) are very good examples of TV's of their time. I realise this is very subjective.

At some time in the future I'd like to own a classic 60's set, but am a wee bit undecided as to what set would be deemed the classic/iconic TV set of the 60's. It was suggested to me that it would be the Philips G6, it being the first widely available 60's colour set available (1967 I think), but would value forum members opinions. Criteria such as case design, new technology, reliability or anything else, it'd be interesting to get some viewpoints on this.

Regards, john.

[oldticktock]

I expect others will have differing opinions I would plump for the GEC BT3xx series, the bow fronted design and the new slim 110 degree tubes heralded the slim set design, a breath of fresh air from the previous bulky sets of the 50's

Chris

[Steve_P]

The Bush TV125. Iconic.

Cheers,

Steve P.

[chipp1968]

If you like smaller tube sets ,a Ferguson personal would be nice ..I like the GEC too but it is 1959/60 , so only just 60s

[stuie319]

Hi

IMO no, a colour set doesn't fall into this category. Too few, too late, and
too inaccessible for most people.

I'm with Steve on this, Bush 125 for sure! (havent you go the murphy version?)
I'd love one!

S.

[Heatercathodeshort]

The 1960's covers a huge advance in technology. The first 110 degree tubes, dual standard and colour. For an early 60's example I would go for the Ekco TP373 17" portable, a Ferguson 705T or 606T Golden Guide. The Ekco employing the short neck Mazda CME1705 was the slimmest 17" receiver ever produced. Dual standard era must go to the RBM 640 chassis maybe in outrageous orange from Murphy or the Thorn 1400 chassis. For colour I would probably choose the less massive GEC dual standard or an early Thorn 3000. Just my preference for these models. John.

[Andrew2]

Yup, I'd agree with Steve's choice of the Bush TV125. Seen in a million Rank films of the 60's (and in pots of homes across the country), they were everywhere.

[slidertogrid]

I would look for an early dual standard mono set. Something with a big clunky vhf tuner and a rotory uhf tuner, Thorn 950, GEC, Pye 11U. Some of the Ultra branded thorn sets were very pretty


Rich.

[Welsh Anorak]

Hi
This is a bit like asking for your favourite sixties pop song - things seemed to change drastically around 1967 for both TVs and music.
Taking the early part of the decade first, I must agree design-wise the GEC was nice both inside and out and did herald both the cleaner lines of later sets and the general use of the PCB. The TV125, while not ground-breaking externally, was the starting point of a design that carried on till the end of the sixties with the A793.
For me the Bush A640 was my favourite dual standard mono. I agree colour was still a novelty untl the seventies, but the Thorn 2000 deserves a mention as does the G6 simply for actually working against all odds!
Glyn

[Jonster]

For me it has tho be the TV125 or a Thorn - either a 950 or 1400.

[akuram1]

Surely the Murphy V310 design was way ahead on style at the time and that was the late 50's

[oldticktock]

Quite possibly, but John was asking for recommendations regarding a classic 60's set to acquire. Maybe Murphy did some nice 60's ones too like the V659X

Chris

[slderiron]

Thanks for all these opinions, was initially quite surprised that the Bush TV125 formed the majority verdict, but given the reasons I can quite understand. Must keep my eyes open for one of these then. Have to admit though that the GEC does look very stylish. Best regards, john.

[murphyv310]

Well the TV125 was an excellent set, it had very few vices indeed but was noted for LOPTx problems.
Of course you all know that I will be recommending a Murphy, it of course will be a Murphy design so I will say any "Astra" Chassis for example a V659 or a V759. If you are lucky one with the ultra rare UHF conversion!

Here is mine including the rebuilt lopty out of a peas tin!

[Vectamart]

My choice would have yo be a Sobell T279. My parents used to rent one of these excellent sets from Rentaset during the 1960s. They had a very slim cabinet, 17" 110 degree tube and also featured an FM radio.

[Peter.N.]

The ultra slim 'Ultra Bermuda' is quite iconic as it was the complete opposite in size to most of the previous sets - not many about though.

Peter

[ParcGwyn]

I always liked the Thorn 900. This was my first TV set at the age of 13( a Marconiphone) I was impressed by the auto transformer instead of a dropper. It performed well on both VHF 405 and UHF 625, The VHF signal was from Sutton Coldfield and the UHF from Malvern, I could see the transmitter from my bedroom window.


Dave

[oldticktock]

Originally Posted by Peter.N.

The ultra slim 'Ultra Bermuda' is quite iconic as it was the complete opposite in size to most of the previous sets

Hi Peter, yes these sets are so slim they are positively anorexic, beautiful set. Luckily I have one with the motorised tuner, it's my next project after I finish an LV20

[Hybrid tellies]

For me the 1960's tv has to be a mono dual standard, My favourites being the RBM A640, ITT/KB VC51-53's, Pye 67 or 368 and yes the GEC 2038 and later 2043. I did not come across much from the early 1960's apart from a GEC BT448 and the HMV 1910 which I think just scrapes into the 1960's.

[Hunts smoothing bomb]

Interesting, nobody has mentioned The KB "Deep scene" dual standard set which uses the VC51? chassis. this has both the rotary VHF and UHF tuners, not to mention each tuner illuminates which is depicted by the system switch setting. These are late sixties I believe.

Have a gander at my profile and look at the albums and you will see my GEC 2028 dual standard colour set from 1967 in operation too.

Cheers