About the Company
Nordmende was a prominent German consumer electronics manufacturer that produced reel-to-reel tape recorders from 1958 to 1972, transitioning from tube-based to solid-state designs for the home market.
Company background
Originally founded as Radio H. Mende GmbH in 1923 by Otto Hermann Mende, the company rebranded to Nordmende in 1947 under Martin Mende and became a leading maker of radios, TVs, and tape recorders in 1950s–60s West Germany.
These recorders were built in Germany for 220–240V European markets, targeting families rather than studios.
Early tube models
Nordmende entered the reel-to-reel market around 1958 with vacuum-tube electronics, offering both 2-track (half-track stereo/mono) and 4-track machines like the Titan, which delivered 30–16,000 Hz response at 7½ ips.
These early decks emphasized affordability and reliability, competing with Grundig and Telefunken in department stores.
Solid-state era and expansion
By the 1960s, Nordmende shifted to transistors, producing 4-track stereo and even 8-track open-reel recorders with improved features like multi-speed operation and integrated amps.
Iconic products included combination units like the 1969 Vario Center, bundling a reel-to-reel deck with TV and turntable in a single console.
Production end and legacy
Reel-to-reel output ceased around 1972 as cassettes gained dominance; Nordmende pivoted to video (e.g., 1974 Colour Vision CSS Super 8) before being sold to Thomson-Brandt in 1977.
Historically, Nordmende exemplifies mid-tier German consumer RTR engineering—solid, stylish home decks bridging tube warmth and transistor precision during Europe's tape golden age.