Radiograms that use Falcon radio?

[trinitii]

Good morning all,
A very vague and frustrating search for a particular radiogram has led me here to seek your advice, if possible.
I am trying to trace a particular model of radiogram which used 'Falcon Stereophonic' as their radio/tuner.

I am seeking this as a gift for someone but only have limited information and two pictures of the radio/tuner part, which is why it is frustrating as I do not have much to go by.

I know that it would have been made prior to purchase in 1963 and the tuner area has all the usual stations with "falcon" and "Stereophonic" written either side of a lower central "tone" dial

I was hoping that someone here might be able to tell me which brand/manufacturer would have used these tuners (?) in their radiograms, which would help me narrow my search to particular brands instead of the 1000's that are online.

[Nickthedentist]

Hello and welcome,

Generally speaking, the name on the dial of radiograms is the name of the manufacturer of the whole thing.

The record deck was almost always bought-in from a third party, such as BSR, Garrard or Collaro, although sometimes the radiogram maker's name was applied in addition to (or even instead of) the deck manufacturer's.

Sad to say that I've never heard of the Falcon brand, though there was some speculation here that it might have been a catalogue company's brand name.

If no-one here has one, try setting up a search on eBay so that you get e-mailed if ever one gets listed. Radiograms of this vintage and quality tend to be worth almost nothing, so you might get a nice surprise one day.

Nick.

[trinitii]

Thanks for the reply Nick. That info is most helpful.

I must say, I am finding traces of Falcon radiograms on the internet but they are very few & far between and generally quite vague. Maybe they were quite a rare producer.
I have found one radiogram by Falcon that was sold on Ebay last year, but it isn't the model that I'm looking for.
I'm starting to lose hope of finding one to be honest but will keep trying.

[dazzlevision]

Hello,

The radiogram you show pictured was probably manufactured by John Street Manufacturers Ltd, 88 Springbank Road, London, SE13 (in 1955). In business since at least 1950. In 1953, at 117 Manor Lane, Lee, London, SE12. In 1958, they relocated to Falcon Works, 71-73 Beacon Road, Lewisham, London, SE13. Maker of “Falcon” radiograms. Still going in 1964 & 66.

They were a minor brand name and will be pretty uncommon, I expect. We had a discarded "Falcon" radiogram at work for years, although it was a 1960s transistorised unit.

Regards,

Dazzlevsion

[trinitii]

Thank you very much Dazzlevisions, there are some great leads for me to follow there. Very much appreciated.

[ITAM805]

Hi trinitii

To add to what dazzlevision has posted. My first job after leaving school was with John Street Manufacturers Ltd of Barmeston road, Catford, London SE6 (it was located next door to the famous Rogers Development) I had the job of building those 'coffin' radiograms like your one. I don't recognise that particular model so I expect it's of a vintage before my time at Street's which was around 1967. They were budget machine sold in places like Currys although your one does look quite posh!

.

[trinitii]

Hi Itam,

Thank you for also taking the time to reply to my post, it's appreciated.

I know that the radiogram was bought in 1963 so it would obviously have been made prior to that and means I've missed your time by a few years unfortunately .

Another good lead with the Currys link though, so thank you.

[dazzlevision]

Hello Again,

Take a look at:

http://www.thevalvepage.com/tvmanu/falcon/falcon.htm

Regards,

Dazzlevision

[Nickthedentist]

That's fascinating, well spotted, Dazzlevision. Jon's unique spelling of radiogram meant Google missed it for me!

I wonder who they bought the chassis from, then?

Nick.

[ITAM805]

Originally Posted by dazzlevision

Take a look at:http://www.thevalvepage.com/tvmanu/falcon/falcon.htm

Interesting link dazzle. I think when I worked a Street's it was the end of road for 'grams' - stereo's were becoming the thing to own. There was only 6 of us working on the shop floor so the "500-600 grams a week" would have been the long forgotten golden years for that company

.

[trinitii]

Thanks for the replies.

[Radio Wrangler]

Interesting photo... that unit seems to have the what Quad called a 'Tilt' control in their 44 preamp!

David

[trinitii]

Hi David,

How can you tell that? Would that be an unusual feature?

[Radio Wrangler]

The central knob below the scales. It points in two directions. Rotation anticlock cuts bass, boosts treble. Rotation clockwise boosts bass, cuts treble. The angle of the bar grip of the knob symbolises the change from flat response.

The Quad design is much milder in operation I suspect, but I just wonder if Peter Walker saw one of these...

David

[Nickthedentist]

And I thought it was just a cheap, 3-position switched tone control with a flat knob

[trinitii]

Me too, thanks for the replies though.

I'm trawling around looking for Falcon branded radiograms at the moment, but all the info you guys have given me also led me down the Curry's & Co-op routes.

Do any of you know whether Curry's/Co-op had their own particular names for rebranded goods?

[shaun harris]

hi as far as i am aware co,op branded goods were under the defiant name

Hi
As far as I am aware Co-op branded goods were under the Defiant name.

[Audio1950]

Wasn't Curry's "own brand" Westminster?

Barry

[trinitii]

Defiant & Westminster are two that I've been looking in to, thanks for confirming I'm on the right path.

Typical really that my first foray in to the radiogram world and I'm right in at the deep end

[dazzlevision]

The Co-op brand Defiant was normally made by Plessey (until they withdrew from radio & TV manufacture, around 1964-5).

Plessey also made sets for the RGD/Regentone group, before they were acquired by STC (K-B), circa 1963.

Regards,

Dazzlevision