Creative Entertainment & Production Since 1964
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SOME VINTAGE HISTORY BY YEAR
We are providing the following information to give some perspective to the development of reel to reel tape recording, their manufacturers and references back to the specific equipment where we have data available. We will correct and add information as we receive additional information. Also included is a time line for Martin and Phantom productions.
PLEASE CLICK ON A LETTER TO GO TO RECORDERS BY MANUFACTURER
PLEASE NOTE: Price listings by items reflect the original "list/retail" price (from best sources available).
A-D E-K L-O P-R S T U-Z For Sale Prices Unusual & Unique By Year Phantom TimeLine
We have attempted to be as accurate as possible and always appreciate receiving information that will help us update and maintain this page. Contact
| Cylinder/Disc | Reel to reel | Reel to reel | Mikes, Mixers, Headphones | History | Phantom Productions History (Martin & Chris) | |
| 1877 | Edison Cylinder Phonograph Invented | |||||
| 1891 | Phillips Electronics founded | |||||
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| 1904 | Edison cylinder player | |||||
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1908 |
Edison ad | |||||
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| 1930 | Dual turntables | ‘30s - ‘60s Scully dominated record lathe | ||||
| 1931 | The Blattnerphone | |||||
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| 1933 | Tandberg created |
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| 1934 | ||||||
| 1935 | Brush Development Corp created ---- The first Tape Recorder was shown off at the Radio Exhibition 1935 in Berlin. The "Magnetophon K 1" was made by AEG |
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| 1936 | ||||||
| 1937 | The Marconi-Stille |
Brush BR25 Electro Voice 630, V-2 & V-3 |
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| 1938 | Bruno Velotron A Electro Voice 630, V-2 & V-3 |
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1939 |
Shure 55 C | |||||
| 1940 |
Presto "G,""J" & "Y" disc recorders Speak-O-Phone |
Electro Voice 630, V-2 Electro Voice 640 Shure 55A,B &C |
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| 1941 | Shure 55 C | • 42 minutes on 1st tape (wire recorder used to copy phonographs) • Ampex Electric Company - Made electric motors for airplane radar systems |
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| 1942 | Electro Voice 630, 640, V-1, V-2 Shure 55A &C |
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| 1943 | Shure 55 C |
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1944 |
• Tom Dowd - Worked on Manhatten project using wire recorders | |||||
1945 |
Bill Mullin with US Army Signal Corps ships 2 German Magnetophons and 50 reels of tape back to US. Pic #1 Pic #2 Pic #3 Pic #4 Pic #5 |
Brush BK-401 |
• Ampex Military contracts • Magnetaphon Germans |
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| 1946 | • Bill Mullin demo in San Francisco for Crosby • Webster Chicago Wire recorder 180 |
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1947 |
Bing Crosby uses Mullin's recorders to record radio show. Thanks to James Reed for clip & pics Ampex Model 200A audio recorder demonstrated at Radio Center, Hollywood, Calif |
Webster Wire 80 $149.50 |
Shure 556 $49.98 |
• KVLF Radio Station created in Alpine, Texas | ||
| 1948 | Bing Crosby with early Ampex 200s |
Webster Wire 78 $99.50 Webster Wire 80 $149.50 Model 83 Control Box $29.95 |
• Ampex # 1 2 - $4,000 stainless steel machined 14” reel, 30ips, | |||
| 1949 | Bell RecordOFone RT-65 $113 Pentron Astra Sonic ad $149.50 |
Electro Voice 611 $19.11 Turner S33D ad $15.88 Turner 22X ad $11.76 |
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1950 |
Concertone 401 $295 |
Bell RecordOFone RT-65 $113 Pentron Astra Sonic ad $149.50 |
• First Ampex 300 - Sold several thousand - began using molded plastic, $2,000 | |||
1951 |
Magnecord PT6-BN $884 Stereo |
Bell RecordOFone RT-65 $113 Pentron Astra Sonic ad $149.50 |
• Ampex 350 - many thousands made | |||
1952 Go to ads |
Magnecorder PT6J-AH $330 Magnecorder PT6-J $260 Magnecorder M30,M33 $499.95 |
Bell RecordOFone RT-65 $113
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1953 Go to ads |
Bell RecordOFone RT-65 $113 Magnecorder PT6J-AH $330 Magnecorder PT6-J $260 Magnecorder M30,M33 $499.95 |
• Ampex - 4 track instrumentation recorder | ||||
1954 |
Ampex 350 $1,315 Berlant Concertone 20/20 $445.00 Crown 3M Magnecorder PT6J-AH $330 Magnecorder PT6-J $260 Magnecorder M30,M33 $499.95 |
• Ampex 600 - 80,000 25 lbs $540 - specs almost same as 350 | ||||
1955 |
Ampex 350 $1,315 Ampex 600 $545 Crown 3M Magnecorder PT6J-AH $330 Magnecorder PT6-J $260
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• Ampex - 1/2 sales telemetry to government | ||||
1956 |
Ampex 350 $1,315 Ampex 600 $545 Ampex 601 $545 Ampex 601-2 $995 Berlant Concertone 20/20 $1,095 Crown 3M Magnecorder PT6J-AH $330 Magnecorder PT6-J $260 |
• Ampex - Consumer division Moved to Chicago | ||||
1957 |
Crown 3M |
$269.95/$169.95 |
Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome $49.98 |
Martin became "novice" ham radio operator KN5YCJ | ||
1958 |
Ampex 601-2 $995 Crown 3M Crown Prince $480 Magnemite 610 $335 |
$465.75 '58 Norelco "Continental" $279.50 Pentron NL-3 $269.95 Sony 555-A $595 '58 Webcor Regent $209.95 Wollensak T-1515 $229.50 |
Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome $49.98 |
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1959 |
Ampex 601-2 $995 Crown 3M |
Sony 555-A $595 '58 |
Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 |
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1960 |
Ampex 601-2 $995 |
Sony 300 $399.95 |
Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 |
• Scully tape recorders | Martin's first recordings for Alpine, Texas band using the new Sony 300
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1961 |
Ampex purchases 40 acres in Redwood City, CA for future HQ |
Ampex 601-2 $995 Roberts Duet 191 $289.50 |
Sony 300 $399.95 Sony TC-777S-4 $725 Tandberg Model 6 $498 |
Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 630 $52.50 Electro Voice 636 (Slimair)$42.63 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 647A$48.51 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome $49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 |
Recordings
for Alpine, Texas band using the new Sony 300
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1962 |
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Norelco Continental "300" $199.50 Sony 300 $399.95 Sony TC-777S-4 $725 Sony SSA-777 Amplifier & Speaker system Tandberg Model 6 $498 |
Calrad DM-15 $9.95 Calrad 500C $5.85 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 630 $52.50 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 647A$48.51 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 Sony SRA-2 recording amp $97.75 Sony SRA-464 $97.75 |
Recordings for Alpine, Texas band using the new Sony 300 • Martin - Cable TV installer (Alpine, Texas) one of first wireless cable television systems in Texas
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1963 |
Ampex Moves to Redwood City, CA | Norelco Continental "300" $199.50 Roberts S903B Speakers $199.95 Sony 300 $399.95 Sony TC-777S-4 $595 |
Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 630 $52.50 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 647A$48.51 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 Sony SRA-2 recording amp $97.75 Sony SRA-464 $97.75 |
Recordings for Alpine, Texas band using the new Sony 300. Martin also began recording with Lloyds and Crowncorder portables. First 7" reel recorder was a Monarch bought from the Western Auto Store in Alpine.
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1964 |
Ampex MR-70 mastering recorder Ampex F-44 4460 cat |
Concertone 801 "Reverse-O-Matic" $397.46 Norelco Continental "300" $199.50 Roberts 330 $349.50 ad Sony 263-D $117.50 Sony 500A $391 Sony 600 $449.95 Sony TC-777S-4 $595 |
Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 630 $52.50 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 647A$48.51 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 Garrard Lab 80 $99.50, base$6.50 Sony SRA-2 recording amp $97.75 Sony SRA-464 $97.75 |
• Scully tape recorders 2 & 4tr | Phantom's Recording history Martin started Highland Sound Company - Alpine • Grainger Hunt & the Believers • Alpine High School Band • Sul Ross State University Band, Choir & recital recordings (including tour albums)
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1965 |
Ampex 602 $625 Magnecord 1024 $643 |
Concertone 801 "Reverse-O-Matic" $468.47 Norelco Continental "300" $199.50 Roberts 400X $799.95 Roberts 770X $359.95 Roberts 5000X $699.95 Roberts 6000X $299.50 Sony 500A $391 Sony 600 $449.95 Sony TC-777S-4 $595
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Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 630 $52.50 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 647A $48.51 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 Garrard Lab 80 $99.50, base$6.50 Sony SSA-777 Amplifier & Speaker system
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Highland Sound Company - Alpine • Sul Ross State University Band, Choir & recital recordings (including tour albums) • Used multiple Shure 556 and EV 665 on 20 foot custom made collapsible mike stands • Martin - Produced weekly radio broadcast for the Alpine Ind. School District (1965) from recording studio built into parent's home |
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1966 |
Ampex PR-10 $1,045 Ampex 602 $625 Ampex 602-2 $875 Crown SS 700 $895 Magnecord 1024 $643 Magnecord 1028 $1,075 Newcomb TX10 $750 ReVox G-36 $500 Teac A-4010S $450 |
Ampex 2000 $499 Concertone 801 "Reverse-O-Matic" $359.50 Concertone 804 "Reverse-O-Matic" $439.95 Eico RP-100 $450 Knight KG-415 $249 Lafayette Criterion 1000B $189 Norelco Continental 401 $219.50 Rheem 3200 $269.95 Roberts 400X $799.95 Roberts 770X $359.95 Roberts 770XSS $349.95 Roberts 5000X $699.95 Roberts 6000X $299.50 Sony 260 $239.5 Sony 263-D $129.50 Sony 500A $391 Sony 600 $449.95 Sony TC-777S-4 $595 Tandberg 8 $449.50 Viking 87 Super Pro with 2 amps 382.35
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American D4 $18.60 Calrad 500C $4.95 Electro Voice 623/Ampex H-1390 $57.00 Electro Voice 635 $82 Electro Voice 636 $72.50 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 647A $48.51 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 Electro Voice 623 $29.50 Garrard Lab 80 $99.50, base$6.50 Shure 300 $89.50 Sony MX 6S Mixer $27.75 Sony SRA-3 $109.50 Sony MX-777 Mixer $175 |
Highland Sound Company - Alpine • Audio for film (1966) edited sound track (sync natural sounds) for Big Thicket film - enabled it to become Nat'l Preserve • Sul Ross State University Band, Choir & recital recordings (including tour albums) Used multiple Shure 556 and EV 665 on 20 foot custom made collapsible mike stands
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1967 |
Ampex AG-500 $1,581 Ampex 600-2 (solid state) $1,010 Ampex AG 602 $625 Ampex 960 $399 Ampex PR-10 $1,045 Teac A-4010S $450 Teac A-4020 |
Altec Lansing Seville $213.30 Concertone 804 "Reverse-O-Matic" $349.95 Norelco Continental "300" $199.50Roberts 400X $799.95 Roberts 770X $359.95 Roberts 770XSS $349.95 Roberts 5000X $699.95 Roberts 6000X $299.50 Telmar Martel 5" recorder $89.95 |
Electro Voice 623 $57.00 Electro Voice 644 (gray)$110 Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 666 $288 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 Electro Voice 911 $19.11 Teac AX-10 |
Highland Sound Company - Alpine • Sul Ross State University Band, Choir & recital recordings (including tour albums) Used multiple Shure 556 and EV 665 on 20 foot custom made collapsible mike stands
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1968 |
Ampex
600-2 (solid state) $1,010
Ampex 960 $399 Revox A77, Series I Teac TCA-40 |
Norelco Continental "300" $199.50 Roberts 192 FT $349.95 Roberts 400X $799.95 Roberts 770X $349.95 Roberts 770XSS $399.95 Roberts 5000X $699.95 Telmar Martel 5" recorder $79.95 |
Electro Voice 664 Gray Chrome$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 |
Highland Sound Company - Alpine • Sul Ross State University Band, Choir & recital recordings (including tour albums) Used multiple Shure 556 and EV 665 on 20 foot custom made collapsible mike stands Sony 350 |
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1969 |
Ampex 600-2 (solid state) $1,010 Ampex AG500 $1,537 Ampex 761 $329 Ampex 960 $399 |
Roberts 770XSS $399.95 Roberts 5000X $699.95 Sony 630 w/speakers $379.50) Sony 772 $750 |
$49.98 Electro Voice 665 $88.20 Electro Voice 676 $58.80 |
Highland Sound Company - Alpine |
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1970 |
Ampex AG500 $1,537 Ampex 600-2 (solid state) $1,010 Ampex 761 $329 Ampex 960 $399 dbx introduced |
Sony 630 w/speakers $379.50) Sony 772 $750 |
Highland Sound Company - Odessa
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1971 |
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