42VF not quite what it seems!

Just bought (another) Beogram 42VF or thought I had!

Opened it up this evening and found no preamplifier despite the label stating it is a VF model. But the mystery goes deeper as the serial number on the chassis does not match the one on the wooden lid so at some point, perhaps during a repair the panel must have been replaced!

What made this even more confusing was that it arrived in a box for a Beogram 1202!!

Could someone confirm the type number of the pre-amplifier board in a 42VF?

Is it the same unit as the BG1000?

Thanks

Ben

G 42 VF uses preamplifier GF 2.
It was also used in 609VF, 610VF, G 41VF and the first series of Beogram 1000.
(GF 3 was used from Beogram 1000 series 02 onwards).

Martin

Hi Ben,

I think the things with this type of B&O turntable were quick happening in the early 60’s. The naming convention of 609/610/41/42 V(F) models seems to be transparent (can be also found in the product section of the Beoworld) but looking to the “real examples” it  was quite confusing.
I can confirm this also on my 2 “42VF” turntables. The first one has 42VF at the round mark at the top, then 42VF sign at the bottom sticker and inside of case but inside of the envelope it has the schematic of “Stereo Grammofonvaerk 610”. It came with original user manual saying Beogram 610?!
The second one is even more confusing saying 42VF at the top sign, 41VF at the bottom sticker and the same at the sticker inside of the case but with “right” schematic in the envelope, saying “Stereo Pladenspieller Type 41V, 42V, 41VF and 42VF”. This one has a normal (bigger) platter so it cannot be the 41 version. And it does not have the RIAA preamp (so it cannot be VF Version)!
I got both from first owners which both confirmed that the turntables was not serviced or repaired ever. So they are not tinkered.

I have third 42VF in my storage waiting to be repaired but never looked to his bottom or inside of it. I am sure I would find new special version of it

Here few pictures:

The first one...

And the second one:

Theomaster

 

 

 

Preamplifiers come and go. They unplug and plug back in easily to suit the given setup. I wouldn't trust anybody to add an F to the
stickers inside and at the bottom plate when installing a preamplifier. :-)
And I wouldn't be surprised to find schematics and the likes from another practically identical unit. B&O could have done it but it could
also have been mixed up in repairshops - bottom plates swapped and so.
An upgrade to a larger (better, smarter, modern) platter could easily have taken place as well.

Anyway;

The first deck in this series was the 607.
It had the flat triangular-shaped counterweight.
It was actually a deck from Skandinavisk Radio/TV (SRT) fitted with a B&O ST/M tonearm and pickup cartridge.
Optional was the ST/L tonearm.

The 608 deck had a new counterweight (the one with the large fingerscrew).
608 V without RIAA
608 VF with RIAA (unique type RIAA for this deck - we could agree to call it GF 1 for ease of mind, though
I don't think it was ever called that officially).
Both were also available with the "universal" motor 608 U

The 609 deck was available with two different platter sizes.
Both with and without RIAA (GF2) as 609 VF and 609 V respectively.
Universal motor was optional.

The 610 was available with no less than three different platter sizes, - the two from the 609 plus
a new one, that was larger (LP sized).
Optional was the Pickup Lift.
Last deck with "universal" motor option.

Then came G 41 V/VF with the middle-sized platter and G 42 V/VF that was identical only
with the large LP-sized platter.

Then Beogram 1000 in several versions...

Martin

(some info courtesy PerH)

Thank you both, really interesting information.

I guess the collecting bug is well and truly alive!

Ben