About the Company
Gaumont‑British (often seen simply as Gaumont‑British on tape machines) was a United Kingdom‑based brand that produced tube‑based reel‑to‑reel audio tape recorders in the early 1950s. The machines were manufactured in the UK and represented some of the earliest consumer‑market tape decks from British sources.
The brand is linked to British Acoustic Films Ltd, a subsidiary of the larger Gaumont‑British media and technology group — itself better known for film production and cinema‑related equipment through companies like Gaumont‑Kalee that made professional sound gear and film projectors.
Production Timeline
Early 1950s – Entry and Peak (c.1953–1956)
1953: Gaumont‑British began producing reel‑to‑reel tape recorders aimed at serious amateur, semi‑professional film makers and early hi‑fi adopters.
1953–1956: The company’s primary known model was the GB 732, a tube‑based consumer recorder with the following features:
Two track full‑track mono configuration with IEC equalization.
Speeds: 3¾ and 7½ inches per second.
7″ reel capacity and permalloy heads.
A powerful damping motor and tube amplification which drove an internal speaker.
The GB 732 was built in the United Kingdom and carried an engineered, professional appearance for its time — but it was marketed mainly at enthusiasts, filmmakers and consumers rather than broadcast studios.
Mid‑1950s – End of Tape Deck Production
1956: Production of Gaumont‑British reel‑to‑reel audio tape decks appears to have ceased around this year, with no later models widely documented in collector‑focused archives.
The GB 732 — Flagship Model
The Gaumont‑British GB 732 is the best‑documented example of the brand’s tape recorder production:
Category: Consumer / semi‑professional reel‑to‑reel recorder.
Electronics: Valve (tube)‑based amplifier and recorder.
Head Configuration: Full‑track mono with permalloy heads.
Operating Speeds: 3¾ and 7½ ips.
Reel Size: Up to 7″.
Power: 220–240 V mains.
Design: Heavy cast‑alloy chassis, belt and idler drive with a large motor, and a built‑in speaker.
It was considered a well‑engineered machine for its era, though collector ratings suggest its sound quality and reliability were modest given the technology of the time.
Technology & Positioning
Technology: Like many early 1950s recorders, Gaumont‑British used tube electronics and a relatively robust mechanical transport intended to appeal to serious hobbyists and low‑end professionals.
Market Focus: The brand targeted consumers and film makers who needed audio recorders for soundtrack work or general tape recording rather than hi‑fi enthusiasts at the higher end of the market.
Distribution: Machines were produced domestically in the UK and marketed locally, with limited evidence of wide export or a broad product lineup.
End of Production
Gaumont‑British did not become a major tape recorder manufacturer, and its audible reel‑to‑reel activities ended by the mid‑1950s. A few factors contributed:
Competition: British recorder specialists like Brenell and mechanism OEMs (e.g., BSR) were more active in the late 1950s‑60s market.
Company Focus: Gaumont‑British’s core interests remained in film, cinema projection and sound equipment rather than consumer audio electronics per se.
Format Shift: The rise of transistor electronics and later compact cassette formats shifted consumer demand away from early tube‑based open‑reel gear. (General industry trend)
Summary
Gaumont‑British reel‑to‑reel tape deck history in brief:
Manufacturer: Gaumont‑British (United Kingdom).
Active Production: Roughly 1953–1956.
Known Models: GB 732 — a tube‑based 2‑track recorder with 3¾/7½ ips speeds.
Market: Home consumers and semi‑professional users (film and hobbyists).
End of Tape Deck Line: Mid‑1950s, with no extended model range documented.