Thought this maybe of interest. In a previous contribution I stated that Rank Radio International marketed it`s later televisions with a five year guarantee. It seems I was a bit generous with the warranty period as can be seen it was only four years. Also, I was unaware that this warranty applied to it`s audio products until I found this pamphlet. These were the very last genuine Murphy products to be offered to dealers before Rank closed down. I was involved with the installation and repair of these sets, T26 and T24 but never saw the remote control version with direct channel selection and volume adjustment or the 16 inch Murphy equivalent to the Bush BC6004.
Pye in Oz did 4 years free service back in the mid 60s, up until 1974.
The rest of the industry hated them for it! Same in the UK?
But it forced them to make a reliable product.
These were the very last genuine Murphy products to be offered to dealers before Rank closed down.
(coughs) If it was a genuine Murphy, it'd be pre-1962.
@cathovisor That would about the correct date. The first RBM Murphy TV sets I saw used the Bush TV125 chassis around 1964. The Bush had round push buttons the Murphy square.
I can never remember the Murphy model number but similar to V8xx.
Frank
@irob2345 In the 1960’s I only remember 12 months guarantee on the sets and 3 months on the valves. Later 12 on all the set and with colour sets it was 12 months on the set and CRT but with an option to extend the CRT to 4 years with an extra payment.
Frank
Sadly I think the four year guarantee was introduced in an attempt to revive sales and save the company. The early T20s were pretty unreliable many faulty straight from the box. By the time the T24 which was Japanese and the T26 30AX models were produced the damage was done.
We saw the same with the car industry. The Princess 2 was better than the original but the "2" suggested "second attempt". The Triumph Acclaim idea was the same as a T24 in so much as the only way to make it reliable is to have a remodelled Japanese model which alienated the final loyal customers who wanted to 'Buy British'.
A local firm a friend worked for had so much trouble with the T20s that they had a load of free T22s in replacement / compensation.
From memory the Murphy was £100 dearer than the equivalent Bush so no great bargain. The local dealer (Albert Fennel) didn't bother converging the ones in the showroom so it was like watching a 3D movie without the special glasses.
@rbmt20a Is there a date on the brochure, the items seem a 1970’s design but I can’t remember the 4 year guarantee. We were RBM dealers from middle 1960’s to around 1980 when I left the trade?
Then again memory from that long ago can play tricks so I could have just forgotten.
The last full accounts I can find for RRI are in 1993 after that it’s says a dormant company. I don’t know why a company would be kept as dormant and not wound up but then again my knowledge in company finance/law is nil.
Frank
Frank, Unfortunately there are no dates on the brochures, I have an earlier one which is really quite damaged. I will refer to it later. I think the brochure in my post dates from 1980 and my second earlier one is from 1978/79? The reason I think of the 1980 date is that RRI announced the T26 chassis in June/July of that year and that chassis is specifically mentioned in the brochure along with the T24, a chassis manufactured as part of a collaboration with Toshiba which was in operation during 1980. This collaboration ceased in December 1980 and in the following January Rank closed down it`s factory.
In May 1981 Rank sold the MURPHY name to a company called JJ Sibler. This company went on to promote and market electronic products using the MURPHY brand. In my opening post I used the word genuine in relation to this rebranding of the name. Also, in the referred to earlier damaged brochure promoting MURPHY products it proudly points out it`s connection with Frank Murphy and goes as far as giving a potted history of the name and company. Incidentally, in July 1981 Rank sold the BUSH name to a company called Interstate Electronics who I think changed it`s name to BUSH RADIO.
The earlier brochure, dated 1978/79 promoting sets fitted with either the T20 or T22 chassis ( I cannot make out which) but fitted with the 20AX crt, also states that the 4 year guarantee promotion began as early as 1976 which would be the MURPHY four button mechanical tuner set fitted with the Z718 chassis, models MC6201/MC6301/MC6401.
Oliver.
Incidentally, in July 1981 Rank sold the BUSH name to a company called Interstate Electronics
I have a letter in some documents I was donated some time ago which mentions this. I actually found an Interstate clock radio on eBay recently.
@rbmt20a Oliver, Well it’s just lost in the mist of time by the look of it for me. I remember the Toshiba/Rank tie up but not the break up, by then I was on the on the hunt for a new career and losing interest in the trade.
I don’t regret leaving the trade, it was the best thing for me and my family but still look on the time from early 60’s to early 80’s with affection.
Frank
