Untested but very likely to need restoration!
Revox and Studer made great tape recorders but Ferrograph was well ahead of the game, producing high quality tape recorders well before the Swiss.
This particular Series 4 dates from the 1950's and is in very good cosmetic condition but probably does not run!
Read the description below fully please...
Ferrograph Tape Recorder/Playback machine
Series 4(A)
Mono recording but upgradeable to stereo
3-3/4 & 7-1/2 inch per second tape speeds
Frequency response to 10Khz at the lower speed and 15Khz at the higher speed
Signal To Noise unweighted 52dB
Maximum reel size is 7 inches
Heavy at 22Kg approximately
I will supply a printed copy of the specification sheet and THE SCHEMATICS (makes life a lot easier for restoration!)
Although the audio specifications are not impressive by todays standards, these are still highly sought after machines - 70 years old and quite something to behold.
Designed & built by Ferrograph England
Solid and well engineering
3 motor design
Separate erase and record-playback head with a dummy head where you can fit another for stereo conversion, in fact the machine was produced ready for stereo use, even having stereo outputs at the rear fitted.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Very good to excellent. The case is wood with a vinyl layer - the vinyl is in great condition (although a bit dirty) with only one part where the seam has lifted - this is not a difficult repair.
There are no parts missing or broken - knobs, controls, screws etc are all intact.
Case fits perfectly (not warped) and the two latches still work!
All metal grilles are undamaged
TESTING:
I have NOT powered up this unit - its very old and it is extremely likely the electro's at least will be no good.
This machine will need a complete restoration - mechanically everything works and quite frankly I wouldn't be surprised it this jumped to life on the first try but I am not going to risk any damage to the machine and decided to inspect visually only.
There have been NO modifications at all - totally original.
Power input at the back is AC 240V and uses a Belgin input plug - these are available at Element 14 or RS.
All valves are fitted and they are:
EZ80
EL84 2x
EF86 3x
ECC83 1x
All valves are in place, but their condition is unknown - there is nothing special about these tubes.
There are no belts to replace, this is a beautiful 3 motor drive system, direct to the reels.
The one (it is mono audio) speaker is a lovely old Goodmans oval. The speaker tests fine and the cone is in great shape.
Four rubber feet on the bottom are not perished - the machine has obviously been cared for over the years and kept well away from temperature extremes.
The heads actually look to be pretty good, not excessively worn and amazingly, the capstan rubber also looks pretty good but should be replaced after 70 years!.
The level meter and timer at the top both are complete, no damage to the glass front. Interesting about the level meter, it is full to the right in the off position, this seems to be normal as all photographs of this machine show the meter indicating this way when off.
These are machines are RARE, and extremely sought after by those who like to restore and own excellent Ferrograph machines
Plenty of forums can be found online, where enthusiasts/restorers collect and discuss various aspects of these machines.
