Episode 41 - Buying a Vintage Ferrograph Reel to Reel Tape Recorder
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2022
- I wanted to buy an old Ferrograph - The idea being to compare it with modern recorders, but the idea did not go acording to plan - UA-cam has lots of videos on these old recorders and how vintage = great! This might be worth watching before you invest? There is also a little bit of history explained, starting with my first contact with the brand in the early 70s.
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I'm running a Super 7 high speed, which has been modified for play-only. That way there is room for half and quarter track heads and a switch to select for the relevant recording. Mine doesn't have Dolby. It does have balanced audio outputs which are very useful, but no internal speaker amplifier. The main thing I wish these had was a tape lifter to reduce head wear during winding.
I have also good working examples of the Beta PCM equipment you mentioned: PCM-F1, PCM-501 (modified with digital output), PCM-601 (digital out included), PCM-701 (modified with digital output), along with suitable PAL and NTSC Beta machines including the required PCM (DOC disable) switch for best error correction operation.
That was the super modern one! We had one at the hospital broadcasting studio I was at, new in 1969, I think. We also had two of the older early 60s ones too. The earlier ones were more reliable. That was way back in the late 60s early 70s. Under my stairs in my home I have an original Vortexion, studio recorder made in 1953! The least time I tried it in 1980 it wouldn't record, so maybe a valve, and all the caps will need changing too. I keep saying I'll do it, maybe next week! It has a Ferrograph deck, but the cabinet is totally different. Manual bias too. I dearly regret selling the original Reslo ribbon microphone that came with it, to my Brother in law's mate who was in a Rockabilly group. I got £40 for the mic back in 1981, but I should have kept it.
Thanks for the great video, always really interesting. Those were the days.
There is something about them that made me really want one, and I assumed, not checked that the logic would be post sticky rubber period. Such a shame. The old series 4 and 5 machines always looked a different period - but really shared quite a bit. The Logic does have a different head block - not needing the pressure pads! Cheers Nigel
I used two Ferrograph 632H machines for years with no problems. But Ferrograph owners keep well away from the Series 7. Their design was a big mistake.
I really don't know where to start! Firstly - any unserviced real to real is going to have problems. If you want a High-speed you need to confirm (check the speed selector or model number - even if it means lifting the handle… gosh). If you do buy one of these wonderful machines and live in the UK get it serviced. I use ServiceSound for mine and they will rebuild it as good as new.
Thanks for the response, and I've been fixing the damn things since 1976 - The snags now seem to be so many are on the market, and the Ferrograph issue was really due to box swaps, and part interchange - the Ferrograph speed display, for instance - all speeds are on one standard rotating disk, so if people have fiddled, then the displayed speed and the real one can be different. revox machines are easy on the speed - but the four track or two track versions often get mixed up. I've now got two reel to reels running, each about 90% OK - but the running costs are crazy. Luckily ,I have the gear (but rarely) time to fix them if necessary. Buying on-line relies on honesty but also seller knowledge and many don't have it.
@@eastanglianradio It's a minefield isn't it. Even with honest sellers never mind dodgy 'specialists'. I bought my Ferrograph from a victim of one of those dodgy specialists. I took a chance and paid a fraction he had then took it to my trusted specialist who practically had to rebuild it. Speed select is a good start but the model number (which I mentioned) is the key. You might be competent but others reading may not be and it would be a shame if someone was put off buying a great machine (albeit one that is complicated and half a century old) because they think it can't be fixed when in fact it can easily be by a specialist. There are also plenty of Revox high-speed machines (as you mentioned them) that have been converted from standard at various degrees of competency. The Ferrograph rubber problem isn't much of an issue compared to the myriad of potential nightmares any reel to reel that's a minimum of 30+ years old could have. And Ferrograph fixed the rubber issue themselves in the mid seventies, unfortunately not before their reputation was trashed so a Seven, Super Seven or Logic Seven might be unaffected. You did touch on one of the great features of these decks which is they use simple, available parts. No unobtanium ICs that are reaching end of life, which makes them one of the most repairable vintage decks out there. One more point. Although the seven couldn't use 10.5" reels (unlike the Super Seven which was the point of the 'Super') the Ferrograph 8.25" reels could hold almost as much tape as the 10.5" NAB reels due to their smaller centre 2400' v 2500' - only 80 seconds more at 15ips.
@@may_68 Indeed - It's infuriating that a 722HD turns out to be a 704! 4 track, no amps and no 15ips. In truth though - buying a reel to reel is a pretty big risk. Plus tape is what? £70 if it's on a spool, £50 as a pancake? Scary way to spend your money.
@@eastanglianradio Damn, yes I hadn't considered case swapping. It's not for the faint hearted is it? Stock IS expensive… it's always been expensive never mind the price of pre-recorded high speed 2 track!
Last year I bought a Vortexion WVB from ebay. I got it home, turned it on, loaded up a tape and found Play didnt work. FFWD and RWD did but not play. Upon inspection, the 3 speed idler wheels and their carriage were missing ! Of course, I thought it was going to be nigh on impossible to find replacement wheels and carriage. I tried Terrys rubber rollers but no joy. I then went on UK vintage radio, started up a thread and got lucky with Ferrograph world where I found a complete set in their carriage for a reasonable price. Apparentrly they were used as replacements for Ferrograph 7 Logic machines when the wheels in those turned to goo !! That's what must have happened to mine !! Grrrr.
Good outcome!
@@pauljohnson4590 yip. Vortexions sound amazing and the WVB ( as it has 3 heads) can do echo and delay and also Sound on sound. I have 2 Ferrographs as well. They are both Ferrograph series 2 models. One of them I have re-capped and I have yet to look at the second...
Ferrograph did make a mistake... they were trying something new ;) They should have 'sticked' with the old rubber materials.
Nevertheless, thanks for sharing your story!