by alandjackson » Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:10 pm
It is lovely to see the colour pictures of the Jennings-badged Model 'J' on this site. The front panel and controls are almost identical to the 'F' but the chassis and drive mechanism are the same as the Model '2' which came shortly afterwards, being punched and drilled for both Models. The spacings of the first four replay heads are identical with the '2' but there are six in total. The 'F', however, had the same wheel as the other two but not the flange underneath, clearly seen in the picture, since the drive for the wheel was arranged on the top not underneath and is about 6" in diameter. The wheel in this picture is the same as my '2' and also has the tape loop, made of 1/4" tape, around the circumference mounted on the rubber tyre. The wheel is about 5/8 - 3/4" deep and is, therefore, not really described as a 'drum'. I shall use 1/2" tape on mine when it is ready and I have had to replace all the posts, head bearing arms and most of the elecronic components including heads. Most of the parts have had to be hand made - even the special screws have cost me £1 each!
The interesting piece of information I have is that some of the early '2's, and the keyboard player in one of my friend's group had one of these, had a rare type of wheel. S.E.P. were still trying to use an oxide coating, even after the disappointments with the Model 'F', and so they were working with a local tape manufacturer, I think B.A.S.F., to produce an oxide combination containing graphite which was applied to the surface of the tyre. The lady in question bought one of these in about 1960 and the '2' was used by her, and later by the lead guitarist, well into the 1970s. Apart from the usual change of valves and internal cleaning, the wheel on the unit had no maintenance whatsoever and the Model '2' was sold in the mid-70s, working perfectly, when the group broke up.
Alan Jackson.