1938 RCA Model 70-B

1938 RCA Model 70-B

By far the workhorse of the broadcast transcription turntables I picked up is this 1938 RCA Model 70-B. There were four iterations of RCA broadcast turntables (Model 70-A through 70-D). The RCA 70-A was introduced in the mid 1930’s. By 1938 RCA had rolled out the 70-B.

Advertisement for 1938 RCA Model 70-B
RCA Model 70-B turntables at a station in 1939
Broadcast News 5/1939 showing RCA 70-B with pick up and a 72B recording mechanism

Somewhere down the line in the 1950s a Gray 108-B transcription tonearm was put on the 70-B. This particular tonearm was essentially industry-standard in the ’50s. It tracks very well and coupled with a GE VRII head, it can play 78s and 33s with a quick flip of the stylus holder within the cartridge.

Gray “Viscous Damped” 108-B Transcription Tonearm on 1938 RCA Model 70-B
Gray Research 108-B Advertisement


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *