Panasonic

About the Company

Panasonic Corporation (formerly Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) is a major Japanese electronics manufacturer founded in 1918, with a long history in consumer audio electronics, including reel‑to‑reel tape recorders.

• Country: Japan

• Founded: 1918

• Reel-to-reel activity: Primarily 1960s–1980s, in both consumer and semi‑professional tape decks

• Other names used: Early reels sometimes branded National (another Matsushita brand)

Production History Timeline

1950s — Early Development

• Matsushita began experimenting with magnetic tape technology post-WWII.

• Initial products were often consumer-grade portable reel recorders under the National brand.

• Machines were monophonic, with basic tape transport mechanisms.

1960s — Expansion of Consumer Line

• Branded as National Panasonic internationally (domestically in Japan often just National).

• Produced stereo reel-to-reel decks aimed at home audio enthusiasts.

• Notable 1960s features:
  2-track or 4-track recording
  Tape speeds: 3¾ and 7½ ips
  Compact consumer-friendly design

1970s — Peak Consumer Production

• Panasonic became a major exporter of reel-to-reel tape recorders, competing with Sony, Akai, and Teac.

• Popular models included:
  RS-700 / RS-800: Desktop 2-track stereo decks
  RS-990 / RS-1500 / RS-2500 series: Hi‑fi consumer decks with more features

• Features:
  Solid-state electronics
  Variable tape speed
  Stereo recording and playback
  Consumer-focused affordability with quality build

1980s — Late Hi-Fi Era

• Continued production of high-end 2-track decks for home hi-fi enthusiasts.

• Some machines supported 3¾ and 7½ ips, stereo recording/playback, and automatic level control.

• By the mid-1980s, compact cassette decks were overtaking reel-to-reel in the consumer market.

1990s — Phase-out

• Panasonic largely ceased production of consumer reel-to-reel decks in the early 1990s.

• Focus shifted to cassette decks, CD players, and later digital formats.

Technical & Market Notes

• Panasonic / National reels were consumer-focused, not professional studio machines.

• Built with solid-state circuits starting in the late 1960s.

• Designed for home stereo systems, often paired with Panasonic receivers and speakers.

• Tape speeds: 3¾ and 7½ ips; 2-track or 4-track stereo; standard 5–7″ reels.

Legacy

• Panasonic reel-to-reel decks are well-regarded among collectors for reliability and build quality, though they never reached professional studio status like Otari, Studer, or Revox.

• They represent Japan’s domestic hi-fi boom of the 1960s–1980s and are historically important for consumer tape recording history.