Hacker GP42 Gondolier-how long were they in production?

['LIVEWIRE?']

I ask the question, because I am in the middle of repairing one of the above, and, upon de-soldering one of the original axial electrolytic capacitors, I found the manufacturing date April 1970. This seems a bit late for a Valved Record Player, but all the components are original. I don't think it had been dismantled until I took it apart recently.

[mhennessy]

Can't say with complete certainty, but I think it's possible. We have a 1970 range brochure on the Hacker Radio Group that still shows the Gondolier, and looking at our archive of manuals, the Grenadier has August 1970 on the front.

[10shilling]

Hi
I also have a Gondolier (and matching speaker/amp) which are stamped 1970 with (i think) May 1970 caps. Perhaps these are the very end of production?

Matt

[Ekcoman]

The WHICH Magazine February 1972 mentions The Grenadier GP45 in a review BUT also states the GP42 was still available. Start of production of The GP42 would think 1968 as reviewed again in WHICH Feb 1969.

[paulsherwin]

Valve record players did survive into the 70s. I think they were the last British made consumer products to use them, apart from hybrid tellies of course.

[Nickthedentist]

My Dealer Letter dated 9.10.73 still lists the AL42 (Gondolier stereo add-on unit) as being available for £25.50, albeit with a 1-2 week waiting list.

The (transistorised) Grenadier stereo add-on is also still available.

However, the only actual all-in-one record player available is the (transistorised) Talisman, their last ever, with an 8-10 week wait!

So I suspect the AL42s were no longer being made but were still available ex-stores.

Nick.

[mhennessy]

Ah yes - we have a copy of that letter in our archives - I wonder if it came from you originally? If so, I'll credit you with it - PM me with how you'd like your name to appear...

Mark

['LIVEWIRE?']

I discovered, whilst checking the main reservoir/smoothing capacitor, that it is marked 'J7 75/10' As it also appears to be the original type, this particualr Gondolier was made in spring 1975, assuming 75/10 to be a date code for 1975 week 10. This seems a bit at odds with the Dealer Letter mentioned by Nick, and really late for a Valve Record Player!

[Nickthedentist]

That's really surprising and doesn't really make sense, not least beacause of the April 1970 date on the other electrolytic you found. I suppose it could have been a factory-fitted replacement.

Anyone else care to check theirs?

Nick.

[Pamphonica]

I checked my GP42 and the main electrolytic has a strange code on it but two others say April 1970. 1975 is a very unlikely manufacture date, I think.

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by Pamphonica

...1975 is a very unlikely manufacture date, I think.

Agreed. I've just checked the Hacker Audio Group's sales leaflets for the GP42 Gondolier and its transistorised successor the GP45 Grenadier, and they're dated July 1967 and October 1970 respectively.

Paul

[mark pirate]

I am surprised the GP42 was still available in the early seventies. I have a nice example in my collection, I will check the date codes when I start on it.

Mark