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OK 01223 242684 /ArthurRankHospiceCharity @ArthurRankHouse @arthur_rank_hospice Vintage Truvox Mk III Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder Player, 1954-1957, Original Box Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Open Full-Size Image Description Built in Englad between 1954 and 1957, the Truvox Mk III is a unique reel-to-reel tape player/recorder that really stands out from the crowd. Intended for domestic use, its excellent build quality found it fans among professional users too, especially those who needed a tough machine for outdoors recording. This one looks like it has never been used or fitted into a case or cabinet, and remains in its original cardboard box - it may well be the last one in the world in that state. I have to confess Id never heard of Truvox and, seeing the build quality of this Mk III, assumed it must be the work of a Revox subsidiary. Its not: Truvox was a British company based in Harrow, a few miles west of London. This model appeared in about 1952, with a black cover over the heads; the gold cover appeared in 1954 (along with the new Chnograph printed circuits seen in the 7th photo) and was used until the introduction of the Mk IV three years later, so we know this one was built between 1954 and 1957. Their tape decks were fairly unique, certainly among British examples. First off, theres the construction: whereas everyone else used enameled pressed metal, Bakelite or plastic, Truvox used (of all things) Formica, the fibre/melamine laminate also used for kitchen work surfaces - not such a bad choice really as its tough and easy to keep clean, though its also very heavy and adds considerably to the overall weight of what is already a very heavy machine due to the massively over-built, almost industrial cast alloy frame behind it...the 50s were a paranoid time, and this looks like it was designed to survive a nuclear bomb. Not so immediately obvious is its German-style left-to-right deck, rather than right-to-left which, previously known as the American format, had been adopted as the British Standard in 1954 when this model was introduced, and was adopted by everyone except Truvox who stuck with the German style through to 1957, coincidentally the year this model was discontinued...why? Nobody knows, though Truvox did offer conversions for the princely sum of £5. Finally, and even less obvious because you need to take the cover off the heads, is that the Mk III uses twin coil meters instead of the magic eye valves that everyone else was using by the middle of the 50s - rumour has it that Truvox had purchased a load of ex-military electronic equipment that had become surplus to requirements ten years earlier with the end of the Second World War and were using it in their tape decks. Further investigation reveals that the Mk III doesnt have a conventional brake band to stop the spools, instead using a an induction motor to force them to stop; this may have been intended to put less stress on the tape but has a major disadvantage - if you press stop when you meant to press brake, the spools spin wildly and tape flies all over the place. Truvox offered the Mk III, and some of their other models, to the buyer in two forms - you could either buy one already built into a wooden case cabinet, or buy the deck alone and fit into a cabinet or portable case yourself - presumably, an attractive and more affordable way to put together a home audio system in the days when the radiogram was king and an interesting precursor to the modern integrated hi-fi separates system using modular components, and also useful for professional users who needed a tough machine in a portable case for field recordings. This one was sold as the deck alone and it appears that it was never fitted into anything - the pre-drilled screw holes show no sign that screws have ever been added, and the unit remains inside its original Truvox-branded cardboard box. There cant be many like that, and in fact it wouldnt be a great surprise if this was the last one. Were not able to perform a proper test on this one as, due to being sold as the deck alone, it has no power supply. However, once wed got it out of the box and removed the dead spiders (there were many), everything seems to be in excellent order with no wear or damage; this is further evidence that it was never used and also suggests that, with only a little work, itll probably work - it might need a little degreasing/new lubrication and itd definitely be worth checking the wires and connections, but it wont take a lot of work - and once done, itll be ready to form the heart of a unique vintage-style music system. Model: Truvox Tape Deck Mk IIIMade In: EnglandProduced: 1954-1957Deck: Unique Truvox design with three motors, German-style left-to-right tape transport, twin coil meter heads and motor-driven breakValves: 6V6GT, VT-211, EF-86Tape Speed: 3.75 inches per second, 7.5 inches per secondSpools: 7 inchesConnectivity: n/aDimensions: 430 x 330 x 130mm (WxDxH)Weight: 6.4kgDue to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts. For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included. Further Details & Enquiries This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count. 100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity. Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible. Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day. If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below. Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile Payment We only accept payments made through one of eBays many approved methods. Please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within two working days. Delivery Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery. Domestic Delivery We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible. We use Evri to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order. Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which require a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office. International Delivery International orders are handled by eBays Global Shipping Programme. For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme. Collection Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this. Show in Google Maps Returns Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund. Change of Mind If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us. Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition. We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit. Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item. Incorrect/Damaged Goods We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure. About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count. Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices. Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support. It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target. © 2017 Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. All rights reserved A registered Charity No 1133354
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