Elizabethan Essex

[Ian 315]

Hi gents,

I have an Elizabethan Essex tape machine from around 1960, and a schematic would be useful to save me reverse engineering it. Any help appreciated.

Thanks, Ian

[Nuvistor]

Does it have a model number, there are lots of Elizabethan circuits available from the link at the top of the page but they are referenced mainly by model number.

[Restoration73]

Both the Essex (£65) and the Escort (£45) were released in 1959. The Essex could
be used with a moving coil mic. I don't know of a schematic but found some info on Elizabethan Essex
on a website that you can easily find - it's not available "up top".

[emeritus]

The instruction manual of my late uncle's circa 1960 Elizabethan tape recorder included a circuit diagram. I don't know if this was their general practice. It was a 2-track model with the 3-speed Collaro studio deck.

[DMcMahon]

There is a partial schematic at Post 5 of this linked Thread, but quality is poor and component values are not shown -

https://www.google.com/url?client=in...22zCtltLszfh26

There are quite a few Elizabethan schematics in my Hellyer's "Tape Recording Servicing Manual" book including the Escort but alas not the Essex.

David

[Ian 315]

Thanks guys, appreciate your responses. I bought this as a lad in the 1970s for a few pence at a jumble sale, and have not had it running for many years. The ‘Essex’ replaced the ‘de-Luxe’ according to Barry Jones’s excellent book History of the British Tape Recorder. Until I re-read the part on Elizabethan I hadn’t known what model it was as there’s no mention on the recorder itself. Info seems scarce on the net, and I guess the machine is scarce too. It uses a 6BR7 instead of the more usual EF86 as first stage of its amplifier. I’ll post a picture or two once I’ve rescued it from the garage!

Cheers, Ian

[Ian 315]

I meant 'Guide to British Tape Recorders' of course.

[Ian 315]

Attached some photos. Interesting to note the differences from the 2010 post.

Cheers

[DMcMahon]

Where on the unit is it identified as "Essex" ?

David

[Nickthedentist]

See post 6, I suppose.

[Restoration73]

Mentioned, but not pictured ;

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/ID...han%20essex%22

[Ian 315]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

Where on the unit is it identified as "Essex" ?

David

Hi David, the name or model number is nowhere on the machine. I am largely going by Barry Jones’s book.

[paulsherwin]

A 6BR7 does suggest an above average recorder.

[Ian 315]

Hi Paul, it certainly has some pretence of 'quality', although compared with others it lacks, for instance, any switched compensation for the three different speeds. Within a short space of time other recorders were showing these up a bit. I've a collection of Truvox decks, the oldest of which is only a couple of years newer and will produce much better results at 7.5ips than this one. However, having owned this for nearly 50 years I'll get it running again and measure its performance just for the hell of it. It's meant to be fairly good at 15ips...

Have attached a photo from Barry Jones's book, hope he doesn't mind!

By the way, I don't suppose anyone has any original-type knobs? Long shot I guess!

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by Ian 315

Hi David, the name or model number is nowhere on the machine. I am largely going by Barry Jones’s book.

Yes the book information definitely points to the "Essex" and photo looks to nail it.

David

[Ian 315]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

There is a partial schematic at Post 5 of this linked Thread, but quality is poor and component values are not shown -

https://www.google.com/url?client=in...22zCtltLszfh26

There are quite a few Elizabethan schematics in my Hellyer's "Tape Recording Servicing Manual" book including the Escort but alas not the Essex.

David

By the way, thanks for the steer to that rather lo-res diagram, I'll re-draw it with some component values at some point which will help. Perhaps then re-post somewhere others might find it?

Thanks all.

[DMcMahon]

That is a good idea.

I have sent message via email to the original poster to try and get a better copy emailed, he has not posted on this Forum for over 4 years so not sure if still active.

David

[Ian 315]

Hi, does anyone have an exploded view of the type AC.53 motor as fitted to the Transcriptor deck? I've found one which shows the speed change mechanism, but I don't seem to be able to remove the lower motor shaft bearing - which I was expecting to be able to do having removed the two through-bolts.
Thanks and Happy New Year's Eve!

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

That is a good idea.

I have sent message via email to the original poster to try and get a better copy emailed, he has not posted on this Forum for over 4 years so not sure if still active.

David

I received no response to this.

David

[DMcMahon]

I had no problem removing the lower motor shaft bearing on my Baird AC 53 motor, I think it just easily pulled off once the bolts were removed.

See photo attachment # 3 at Post 25.

https://www.google.com/url?client=in...hKmZ2s7nFn0UL1

David