About the Company
Mayfair Electronics Company was an American importer/brand, based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, that sold transistorized tape recorders, transistor radios, and other consumer electronics in the 1960s and early 1970s. Under the Mayfair label, units — including reel-to-reel tape recorders — were typically manufactured in Japan or Hong Kong and marketed in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets.
Rather than acting as a full equipment manufacturer with its own factories, Mayfair largely branded and distributed portable recorders built overseas and sold them through department stores and consumer electronics outlets.
Reel-to-Reel Production Timeline
Early 1960s — First Mayfair Reel Machines
At least by the early 1960s, Mayfair offered monophonic reel-to-reel tape recorders built in Japan.
Example: Mayfair FT-501 — a table-top recorder with a monitor switch, mic input, and auxiliary jacks. Made in Japan but branded by Mayfair in the U.S. market.
Mid-1960s — Solid-State Portable Decks
By 1964–1968, Mayfair’s reel recorders were solid-state transistor designs, reflecting the era’s shift away from tube equipment.
Portable units such as the Mayfair model 1020-B offered three tape speeds (1 7⁄8, 3 3⁄4, and 7 1⁄2 ips) in a wood/acrylic case, aimed at home and voice recording rather than high-fidelity music.
Late 1960s – Early 1970s — Continued Imports
Japanese-made models like the Mayfair FT-305 and Mayfair TR-1963-A circulated in the vintage electronics market (often bought as estate or surplus equipment today).
These units were mostly compact, portable recorders with integrated speakers and inputs, designed for voice, dictation, or simple recording tasks rather than professional audio.
Typical Technology & Features
Electronics & Design
Solid-state (transistor) amplifier and circuitry — no vacuum tubes.
Built to be lightweight and portable, often battery and mains powered.
Many models used rim-drive or basic transports without a fixed capstan, making speed consistency and audio fidelity modest at best.
Recording Quality & Use
Mayfair units were entry-level reel-to-reel decks, popular for voice recordings, dictation, and simple home audio use.
Due to their simple transport and mechanical design, these machines generally did not deliver high fidelity compared to better-engineered brands — speeds could vary with tape tension and the recorder’s mechanics.
Market Position
Positioned below major Japanese hi-fi brands; often sold through general retail channels rather than specialist audio dealers.
Comparable to other portable novelty and consumer reel decks of the era, valued more for convenience and aesthetics than performance.
End of Production & Legacy
By the early 1970s, the consumer reel-to-reel market declined rapidly in favor of compact cassette systems; Mayfair’s reel-to-reel offerings appear to have disappeared around this time.
Today, Mayfair reel-to-reel recorders are collector curios — interesting to vintage electronics enthusiasts for their design and era rather than for audio performance.