The Ferrograph Evolution. 1948 - 1968
Wearite Model "A" transport to Series 632 Stereo Recorder
This Wright & Weaire "Tape Deck" was the foundation stone on which the Ferrograph Tape recorder range was built.
On this page we document the evolution of the deck from its Model "A" status to the Series 6 in 1966 when the deck mechanism was finally retired from production.
Features like tape guides, counter, pause control and proper speed control switch would be added over a period of many years.
Apart from the colour, and the slot for the counter, this deck is identical to the Model "A". Including the speed change lever.
The Model "A" deck above (right) was incorporated into the first range of Ferrograph recorders starting with the G100 industrial and military models. The Model "D", Ferrograph was one of their first domestic tape recorders, and also used this deck and was based on the design of the G100 range.
Although generally a two speed machine, a three speed version was available on these "YD" models, using just one idler wheel, and a simpler speed change mechanism.
Note: The punched out slot ready for future tape counter, and the handle for the deck midway between the spools. This supported the lid, and protected the reels when several machines might be stacked upon one another.
Illustrated an early G100 s/n 0018, rescued from a skip by Bob Marriott, who kindly supplied the picture.
The Series 2 took the domestic machines into the more traditional style of tape recorder, which was to remain virtually the same for 20 years.
Note. the deck lifting handle is now on the front edge of the deck plate, and there is now a switched speed change. This small modification involved the use of two rather than one idler as had been the case with the Model "A".
Note: We still do not have the tape guides, counter or pause control. The familiar meter style half rounded glass scale was discontinued with the introduction of the Series 3 in 1957.
Series 2
Series 3.
The square design of the meter fascia was introduced with the Series 3 and continued up to and including the Series 4 mono models although some Series 4 machines have appeared with the new style Series 5 meter.
Series 3: You'd be hard pressed to find too many changes between this and the Series 2.
Note: The Tape Counter now fitted, although this may have been retro fitted, since it was supplied to users as a fitting kit.
But we do have a pause control on the front right hand side of the head cover.
The pause control did not appear as standard equipment until the Series 4, but the front head cover section was available with this installed as an add-on accessory.
Pre-recorded music tapes from America were becoming very popular in the 1950's, and although Ferrograph like other manufacturers were making dedicated stereo record/play units, they felt a need to give owners of mono only machines a way of joining in the stereo market if they wanted it. So Ferrograph came up with the "Stere-Ad" unit. This type of add on unit wasn't unique to Ferrograph. Tandberg, Simon and Philips also made similar items.
A stacked in-line replay only head was fitted to the dummy head position of the model 3S or 4S recorder, the outputs fed to rear sockets and connected to the stere-add unit. The "Stere-Ad" unit was a a replica of the front recorder amplifier panel, and connect to the machine via the rear Aux and stereo head output sockets. It consisted of left and right pre-amplifiers, and a single output stage and loudspeaker unit.
The recorders internal speaker played the left hand channel the additional amp and speaker dealt with the right hand channel.
By the late 1950's, pre-recorded stereo music (71/2ips half track) tapes appeared on the market. Ferrograph along with many other tape recorder manufacturers adapted some of their early offerings in an attempt to capitalise on this.
Although two channel recorders had been around for some time, most of them used staggered heads, e.g. a separate head for record/play upper track and record/play lower track.
This meant the two tracks were staggered in time and would only replay in stereo when played on a similar machine. But commercial pre-recorded music tapes required in-line heads (that is a stacked head having upper and lower channels in the one housing).
The model illustrated here from a Ferrograph Advert 1959, shows a very early Series 4, and although there is an adjustable tape guide on the right hand side of the head block the left-hand guide is still missing.
This guide was added on the Series 422 Stereo deck launched in 1960.
The hinged head cover shown here dates this machine as a very early Series 4, the screw in the front face of the head cover is a left over from the two piece design from Series 3 and before.
As they had done with the Series 3, Ferrograph continued the Model 4S. This means that the recorder is factory fitted with a stereo replay head on the third head position, with corresponding output sockets on the rear panel for easy connection to the Stereo-Add unit.
Series 4 version of the Stere-Add Amplifier.
Everything apart from the amplifier panel is genuine Series 4.
Series 420 (522) with Series 5 deck
Series 420.
This model was the natural development of earlier models, mainly Series 66, 88 and 808.
A beautiful two speed machine first launched in 1960. Having separate record / play heads, (stacked in-line) enabled sound on sound recording. With provision for Mic/line input mixing, and the ability to monitor directly from tape, the 422 proved to be a versatile and popular recorder.
422 Half track, mono / stereo record play
424 Half track, mono / stereo record, half or quarter track replay, replay head adjustable in height to suit 1/2 or 1/4 track modes.
A series 5 deck was added later although they didn't seem to change the model name. Until it became the 632/4
Series 5
The result was a small styling concession. Smaller chrome topped knobs, and record level meter borrowed from the Series 420 Stereo model. The addition of a much awaited locking pause control and a new speed change lever completed the upgrade.
Series 5: By 1962, Ferrograph were feeling the strain from the competition. Enthusiasts were demanding more facilities, the
Japanese started to enter the market with over-specified machines, and the buying public wanted wider frequency response and more family-friendly machines.
At least that's the conclusion Ferrograph came to.
Right Series 631
A mono two head, three speed machine in portable form with the new light weight cabinet, and aluminium trim. Or the hi-fi version in nice teak cabinet.
(Left) This model was designed for permanent connection to the Hi-Fi system.
The best of the Ferrograph mono machines, offering three heads (for tape monitoring) in addition to mixing of mic / line inputs.
The series 6 tape deck offered three operating speeds for the first time on a Ferrograph domestic model. 3 speed versions were available on the YD models from much earlier on.
Each Series 633 was issued with a frequency response print-out and the Ferrograph Warranty Seal, a sign of quality.
Like the earlier 420 series the 630 series consisted of two models. But unlike the 420 series the 632 /634, both would record stereo, but the 632 had half track record/ replay, the 634 had quarter track record /replay, the replay head raised or lowered to suit the track configuration and align with the centre of the track on half track stereo recordings, ensuring that both tracks played back at equal levels.
All the features of the previous Series 5, but with three speeds rather than two, plus mixing, and off tape monitoring.
It was fitted with a small 2.5 Watt transistorised amplifier, and single speaker for the purpose of monitoring whilst out recording. The output could be switched to either track separately, or replay both tracks in mono.
The Wearite Series 6 deck was the last of the line of tape decks spanning 20 years, 1948-1968.
It was superseded by the ill fated Series 7's in July 1968.
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