Grundig portable tape recorder TK 23L

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Grundig reel-to-reel portable tape recorder Model TK 23L

Manufacturer	Grundig
Production years	1965
Production location	(unknown)

Inexpensive reel-to-reel tape recorders, such as this Grundig reel-to-reel portable tape recorder Model TK 23L (Four Track de-luxe model), were widely used for music, as well as voice recording in the home and in schools. The Philips "compact cassette", introduced in 1963, later replaced reel-to-reel recorders for consumer use.

1 How it works
2 Memories
3 In the Science Museum
4 Images

[edit] How it works

Please help improve this section by expanding it.

A tape recorder saves audio signals. The tape is covered in ferrous oxide (rust), which is magnetic. When the signal is fed into the recording head, the tiny magnetic particles are left in a pattern on the tape as it goes past. When the tape is played back the playback head can read the patterns and recreate the audio signal, which it sends to the loudspeakers.

[edit] Memories

I remember using tape recorders like this in the 60s and early 70s to play pop music and comedy programmes recorded off the radio. My friend had one which she took with her to University. Most students then had a record player, a tape recorder or a cassette to play music in their rooms. By the late 70s we all had cassette players and hi-fis and didn't use reel-to-reel tape recorders at all.

— Ian

I remember quite well this type of recorder,and really brought me nostalgic memories. It was manufactured in Germany in the mid-sixties. This was a four track machine taking 6- inch spools. It used valves: an EF 86, an ECC 81 and an EL 95 as a final stage. An EM 84 valve, referred to as a magic eye, used to emit a green light which served as a recording level meter. Sound production was sharp and clear, really superb when compared to other machines of the day. This was a very popular model. I think that these were the last taperecorders in the Grundig line that used valves, later models employed semiconductors in the electronics section. These machines were very expensive and the TK 23L cost around 50 pounds sterling, a big sum of money in those days -(a two months' salary paid for a good job).

— Paul Gauci Gozo-Malta

Do you remember this tape recorder? Add your memories.