On going research

I would still welcome contact with former Brenell, Soundcraft Magnetics, Truvox, Thermionic Products and indeed any other British tape-recorder company's staff and those with specialist knowledge of these companies and their products in broadcasting, Ministry of Defence and industry.

I am also keen to learn more of Brenell's early days as general engineers; of their telephone answering machine; of Frank Underhill and his Planet and TRD connection. In addition I am particularly keen to beg/steal/borrow/buy Brenell, Soundcraft Magnetics, Truvox and Thermionic's literature and documents to further my research into these companies and their products.

Please contact me on:   bjrustic@aol.com

BOOKS

150 pages of history and 200+ B&W illustrations. A4 soft-back £ 15.00  +   £3.00 p&p UK (Air mail please ask)

A Guide to British Tape Recorders  (2nd edition)

The most comprehensive guide to the British tape recorder industry with an A-Z of over 100 companies and their models.

200+ pages, A4 softback, 300+ B&W illustrations.

Out Now: £21.00 + £3.00 p&p UK (air mail please ask).

A Truvox Product  (2nd edition)

The history of Truvox, Thermionic Products, Racal Recorders and others in Dan Prenn electronics and communications group.

107 pages, 200+ B&W illustrations, A4 softback

OUT NOW   £13.50 + £3.00 p&p UK 

Brenell Specifications and Circuit diagrams

Also a 50+ page, A4 softback booklet of all models except Mk.II, STB-1, IC-2000 or TP2 pre-amplifier - can anyone help please? These are scanned from the best available Brenell originals some of which were approx A3 and are offered for private use by Brenell users for maintaining their machines and to that end only ONE numbered copy per private applicant will be permitted.  No trade or multiple orders!

£9.00 + £1.50 p&p UK  (air mail please ask).

An errata and updated information sheet is available for the above books. Simply send me an SAE.

Modern instrumentation tape recording - 3rd edition (1986)

Written by a Thorn-EMI senior engineer, this engineering handbook covers non-audio instrumentation and data recorders with a bias to EMI-SE Labs models. Highly recommended. NEW (but old stock). £ 5 + £1.50 p&p

Payment details

Postal order or cheque in Pounds Sterling made payable to   Barry M Jones

Barry M Jones, Unit 2, Rustic Crafts Workshop, Bixley Lane, Beckley, RYE, East Sussex, TN31 6TH

SALES & WANTS

This is a free service for private sales and wants by tape recorder enthusiasts. I will take no part in the transactions - so buyer beware! I reserve the right to refuse any advertisement and will not accept those from traders.

FOR SALE

Brenell Mini-8 with remote control and time-code. Midlands (Posted 30/04/2010) NOW SOLD

Elizabethan LZ27 (see front page for photo). Nice cosmetic condition, in working order but need of good service, so sold as seen. £15 + £12.50 UK postage. Contact me direct on bjrustic@aol.com

MSS portable case for MSS PMR/FR tape decks - rare. In need of TLC! Free!!! Contact me direct on bjrustic@aol.com

WANTED:

Mathieu, in France, would like to contact French  Brenell users: Please contact him on  mathieu.foldes@free.fr

Mark in Canada is after an STB and other interesting Brenells. Please contact him on northstarcable@live.com

I am after the following:
Brenell 3-Star Stereo dead or alive ( preferably alive! ).
Circuit diagrams for IC-2000, Mk. 7S
Brenell Mini-8 remote control unit

Soundcraft Magnetics series 380, 760, Saturn circuit diagrams and manuals.

Planet U1 tape recorder

Epsylon tape deck

Truvox R7

Details and information on the Brenell based 'Cadey' tape decks

I am always interested in interesting Brenells and the special application Mk.5 and Type 19 models. 

Wood and alloy cover for an Armstrong 127 tuner amp and an Armstrong M5 Stereo decoder for same.

"Studio Sound" magazines 1970s-1980s for ongoing research.

"Wireless World" magazines - certain issues 1950s/60s - please ask!

Please contact me on  bjrustic@aol.com

Magnetic tape

As you all probably know, Quantegy analogue magnetic tape has been discontinued; the last production run was by Quantegy (former Ampex/3M) in the USA in the spring of 2007. It is unlikely production will resume unless there is a proven demand by us all buying new tape - so get buying!  US dealers Reel Deal Pro Audio have bought the remaining stock, but good stocks are still available in the UK from StudioSpares, Canford, Stanley Productions and SVS Media.

RMGI, the former Philips plant has now begun production of the former EMTEC (BASF-Agfa) LPR35, SM and PER tapes from www.protape.co.uk.

Zonal Media in Surrey have a wide range of Zonal stock and leader tape via their www.Tapeshack.co.uk website or through Canford.

For master recording, you should still use virgin standard play tape of under 5 years of age. Please note that for older tape decks with tape head pressure pads you use must use glossy backed tape - NOT matt back-coated tapes! For run of the mill recording BASF LP35LH is still to my mind the best alrounder and good old stock is still to be found on e-Bay.

LINKS

I can recommend the following links:

The "Get Reel" site is a cornucopia of tape recorder makes and models. I must also point out that the "Audiotools" site is a cornucopia of vintage hi-fi manufacturers with links to specialist sites.

Colin Braddock has an incredible knowledge of, and experience in, the service and repairs of all good tape recorders, at his workshop in Blackpool.

Terry Martini's superb history of  Wright & Weaire and Ferrograph, Built like a battleship is now available from his website.

For those who share a passion for Armstrong tuner/amplifiers, there is a superb site on Armstrong Audio which moved in summer 2007 to a new location at audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html... but which chooses not to link from here!  Try via Google.. and bring back DOS!!!