The Granada is not a toy (although it has entertainment value, as a toy does). Its a real machine that performs a real function. In the 1960's these machines were sold to do real work. But of course, you could "play" with them as well.
I once had this same recorder, i got mine out of a dumpster, it was in desperately bad shape with a waterlogged wood cabinet, slight rust/oxide all over the interior parts, a couple of crappy hack repairs, seized speaker, missing head cover and so on... i ended up dismantling it and kept the cabinet as a storage box... but the motor of my Granada was running fine and was just about the only working part of the recorder!!
I saw a bunch of these on E-Bay for a while, then they seemed to disappear. That Voice Lead could work during someone's sleep, but, what if they snored? That would trip the Voice Lead! A whole tape of snoring? Hmmm...
Thanks. It sounds even better now that it has a new motor! I have no idea what the music is, it was on the radio and I just grabbed it for a sample. Luck I guess.
August 2008 UPDATE - The original Granada motor "blew a brush" (common in 40 year old machines) and failed. I was able to find a substitute motor from a electronics surplus supply house. Although the voltage rating on the new motor was higher (13 volts vs 6 volts), it works fine because it (like the original) has an electro-mechanical speed governor. I was surprised, I didn't think it would work! It now plays better, at the proper speed, and is much quieter!
Cross your fingers! I got some surplus motors cheap (about $2.50 each!) and MAYBE one of them will fit! Rebuilding a motor is almost impossible, so we'll see. Have to replace the motor in the Standard 200 first, that one blew its commutator brushes last week. Sigh. You know, I fix these things, and then hidden problems emerge that were buried deeper! Still, I love these old machines!
Thanks! I think the "voice lead" feature appeared on a couple of Concord's and Panasonic's. It became much more widely used in "memo" recorders, like the SONY microrecorders, used for dictation. Of course, they all called it by different names, "voice activated" being the one I am most familiar with.
Thanks for your comment and watching the video. I have developed a unique affection for it, possibly because it was in such bad shape when I "rescued it." YES, it is possible to display all my restored machines together and in fact I am in process of developing a "Virtual Museum" of vintage tape recorders. It will be a while before it is completed but I'll certainly announce it when the "doors open". Thanks for your comment!
That is a VERY nice recorder! I love the wood cabinet and the looks, it sounds good, I didn't notice wow and flutter. Very clear sound and not muffled. The voice activation is cool. I have a couple of microcassette recorders like that and a standard cassette recorder like that, too. Batteries! You can take that thing places and record things!! I love to take cool vintage tape recorders places! No doubt gonna be AC bias!!!
Thanks! Yeah, I forgot to mention, it has a tiny AC bias coil on the amp which is covered in WAX!!! Also that "8 transistors" is a bit of a trick. 2 of them run the "Voice Lead" circuit, so the amp is more of a standard 6 transistor amp. But it's a pretty good one. I'm just so proud that I got it working again! I thought it was a goner for sure. Thanks for tyhe capacitor trick, it really saved the day!
interesting toy. I have the same device in my collection. but is broken :(
krejzikrep 8 months ago
@krejzikrep Thanks for your comment.
I think we may have a translation problem here.
The Granada is not a toy (although it has entertainment value, as a toy does). Its a real machine that performs a real function. In the 1960's these machines were sold to do real work. But of course, you could "play" with them as well.
I'm going to watch your videos.
clydesight 8 months ago
I once had this same recorder, i got mine out of a dumpster, it was in desperately bad shape with a waterlogged wood cabinet, slight rust/oxide all over the interior parts, a couple of crappy hack repairs, seized speaker, missing head cover and so on... i ended up dismantling it and kept the cabinet as a storage box... but the motor of my Granada was running fine and was just about the only working part of the recorder!!
Jimmyhaflinger 1 year ago
@Jimmyhaflinger I am amazed at some of the things that happen to these machines!
clydesight 1 year ago
the wooden case looks so great. wood + shiny metal = great electronics. nothing compared to todays plastic stuff.
rier90 2 years ago
Thanks rier90!
I like the case a lot, and it is in very good shape. Wood, in today's market? LOL!
Now, a wooden iPhone, wouldn't THAT be something?
There are great designs around today, very futuristic, but not the warmth we saw in the 60's and 70's.
clydesight 2 years ago
I think I almost bought this on Ebay when I was looking for a machine. It was definitely different looking!
That Voice Lead thing could be a great tool to record anyone talking in their sleep. haha!
ToastmachineIdiot 2 years ago
I saw a bunch of these on E-Bay for a while, then they seemed to disappear. That Voice Lead could work during someone's sleep, but, what if they snored? That would trip the Voice Lead! A whole tape of snoring? Hmmm...
clydesight 2 years ago
just like bruce almighty CLAP ON !
wooferfreak 3 years ago
That was a very funny movie! "Evan Almighty" (a sequel?) was also very funny and in a way, quite charming!
clydesight 3 years ago
now this is a cute and beautiful recorder!the sound quality and the music is super!
oviwolf 3 years ago
Thanks. It sounds even better now that it has a new motor! I have no idea what the music is, it was on the radio and I just grabbed it for a sample. Luck I guess.
clydesight 3 years ago
August 2008 UPDATE - The original Granada motor "blew a brush" (common in 40 year old machines) and failed. I was able to find a substitute motor from a electronics surplus supply house. Although the voltage rating on the new motor was higher (13 volts vs 6 volts), it works fine because it (like the original) has an electro-mechanical speed governor. I was surprised, I didn't think it would work! It now plays better, at the proper speed, and is much quieter!
clydesight 3 years ago
I hope you get a replacement motor for this amazing machine!
CassetteMaster 3 years ago
Cross your fingers! I got some surplus motors cheap (about $2.50 each!) and MAYBE one of them will fit! Rebuilding a motor is almost impossible, so we'll see. Have to replace the motor in the Standard 200 first, that one blew its commutator brushes last week. Sigh. You know, I fix these things, and then hidden problems emerge that were buried deeper! Still, I love these old machines!
clydesight 3 years ago
The voice lead is a nice feature, I never saw that on a reel to reel before. It's a nice looking machine, sounds good too.
CoolDudeClem 3 years ago
Thanks! I think the "voice lead" feature appeared on a couple of Concord's and Panasonic's. It became much more widely used in "memo" recorders, like the SONY microrecorders, used for dictation. Of course, they all called it by different names, "voice activated" being the one I am most familiar with.
clydesight 3 years ago
i love your video!good job fixing it!great machine!
oviwolf 3 years ago
Another Blockbuster Restoration Clydesight!
Beautiful machine & now sounds like a Gem for sure. Would it be possible for you to display all your restored machines together??
Just a thought--
ffeku 3 years ago
Thanks for your comment and watching the video. I have developed a unique affection for it, possibly because it was in such bad shape when I "rescued it." YES, it is possible to display all my restored machines together and in fact I am in process of developing a "Virtual Museum" of vintage tape recorders. It will be a while before it is completed but I'll certainly announce it when the "doors open". Thanks for your comment!
clydesight 3 years ago
That is a VERY nice recorder! I love the wood cabinet and the looks, it sounds good, I didn't notice wow and flutter. Very clear sound and not muffled. The voice activation is cool. I have a couple of microcassette recorders like that and a standard cassette recorder like that, too. Batteries! You can take that thing places and record things!! I love to take cool vintage tape recorders places! No doubt gonna be AC bias!!!
CassetteMaster 3 years ago
Thanks! Yeah, I forgot to mention, it has a tiny AC bias coil on the amp which is covered in WAX!!! Also that "8 transistors" is a bit of a trick. 2 of them run the "Voice Lead" circuit, so the amp is more of a standard 6 transistor amp. But it's a pretty good one. I'm just so proud that I got it working again! I thought it was a goner for sure. Thanks for tyhe capacitor trick, it really saved the day!
clydesight 3 years ago
A good restoration and a good sound. I was very impressed. By the way I have the Count your text programme and it's very good. A very useful tool.
thecrystalcauldron 3 years ago