About the Company
Freeman Electronics Corp. was a United States reel-to-reel tape recorder maker active for a brief period in the early to mid-1960s. The company was founded by Eugene Freeman and based in Los Angeles, California. Its product line consisted of consumer-oriented portable solid-state reel-to-reel recorders rather than professional broadcast machines.
Production History
Company Founding and Early Products (1963)
Founded: Eugene Freeman established the company in Los Angeles, CA around 1963.
Product Focus: Small, solid-state reel-to-reel tape recorders aimed at the consumer market in North America, with both two-track and four-track models offered on standard 110–120 V AC.
Known Models
The limited production run is represented by a few documented models:
Freeman 200
One of the earliest units marketed by the company.
Likely positioned as a compact portable tape recorder.
Freeman “Senior” 660 (c. 1963–1966)
A solid-state consumer reel-to-reel recorder, offered with:
Three speeds: 1⅞, 3¾, and 7½ ips (typical consumer speeds)
Half-track mono format with two heads and permalloy construction.
7″ reel capacity and both AC and battery operation.Emphasized portable use and simple high-fidelity recording.
Technology & Market Position
Electronics: Solid-state transistor design (unusual for very early 1960s consumer machines, many of which were still tube-based).
Target Market: Home tape recording and hobbyist use rather than professional broadcast or studio applications.
Comparison: Freeman machines were contemporaneous with other compact consumer units from companies such as Roberts and various Japanese exporters — but had limited distribution and recognition.
Decline and Closure
Short Production Span: The documented production period for these tape decks is roughly 1963–1966.
Company Demise: The business is reported to have folded due to reliability issues — particularly with drive motor tolerances leading to returns and operational failures. Attempts to correct defects were ultimately unsuccessful commercially.
Aftermath: After shutting down the recorder business, Eugene Freeman moved on to other ventures outside audio electronics.
Summary
Freeman reel-to-reel tape decks represent a brief chapter in U.S. consumer audio history:
Brand: Freeman Electronics Corp., Los Angeles, USA.
Era: 1963–1966 production of solid-state consumer reel-to-reel recording machines.
Products: Models such as Freeman 200 and “Senior” 660 — portable devices with typical consumer tape speeds and capacity.
Outcome: Company folded following reliability problems and returned units.