Teltape First? Battery Rim-Drive Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder from 1958

This is, possibly, the first of a trend--Battery-Operated RIM-DRIVE reel-to-reel tape recorders.Yes, there were other rim-drive dictation units, and other battery operated portable recorders, but this may be the first of a TREND. THE DC-BIAS RIM-DRIVE LOW-PRICE tape recorder.


This fascinating piece of German Engineering came out in the year 1958. Yes, one of those few times you see a PORTABLE BATTERY-OPERATED recorder from the FIFTIES, a rare breed that I want more of. Especially a Butoba spring-driven wind-up vacuum tube portable reel to reel, one of the models I want the most out of all, but I digress.


This unit is a two-transistor recorder, with germanium gransistors. It is also DC bias, and permenant magnet erase. Amazingly, unlike ALL other DC bias recorders I have encountered whether reel or cassette, this is the only one I have ever seen to natively in its design include a trimmer potentiometer to adjust the DC bias voltage. That amazes me. Many times I have tweaked the DC bias voltage of reel to reel portables, by changing a fixed resistor.


This machine works off original parts but needed some TLC. I did put a piece of thin cloth to raise the level of the supply reel table as its rubber was scraping against the plastic case causing friction. I had to adjust the pressure holding the motor's spring so it pushed up enough against the reel tables.


Original capacitors are good, amazingly enough.


This unit comes with a CARBON microphone. That is a win. I love carbon microphones.


I hope you enjoy this video. Yes, I know. It has been over three months. What a terrible person I am.