As part of The Electric Recording Company’s ongoing programme of research and development, we have recently restored a 1950’s Scully vinyl cutting system. The Scully lathe, Gotham amplifiers and Grampian cutter heads arrived from the U.S. 18 months ago and we immediately embarked upon a full restoration of the equipment. Once the restoration was complete the first stage of testing was to ascertain which amplifier and cutter head combination delivered the best results.
Once this was established, we could run comparison test cuts on both the Scully and Lyrec systems. The Scully motor had been re-wound for UK mains by expert technicians, who are also ex-Rolls Royce engineers. After resolving some teething problems relating to the switching we were pleased that all was running smoothly. We tested two sets of Gotham amplifiers and Grampian cutter heads. Unsurprisingly they both sounded quite different.
After going back and forth between combinations between the two sets of amplifiers and cutter heads in our possession we were pleased to achieve a flat response on testing with tones. In cutting music the Scully system sounded impressive both in size and scale with pleasant tonal qualities. Top to bottom extension was on a grand scale with a nice exciting “punch” to the sound. We also tested various period tape machines with the system; Ampex 300 , EMI BTR2 and Lyrec TR18. Whilst the Ampex and EMI BTR2 are fantastic machines it was felt in this context their signature sound was surpassed by the fast transients and superior separation of the Lyrec TR18. It was also felt the TR18 and the Gotham/Grampian juxtaposition gave the most desirable sound – i.e. big and meaty but also exciting with clarity and refinement. Perhaps somewhat coloured compared to the master tape but if the music is connective then who cares?
This system (in conjunction with the Ampex 300 tape machine) was not only used in producing some of the great Van Gelder jazz classics but we understand it was also used at Atlantic Records in the 1950’s and in Jamaica cutting some of the great reggae and ska artists of the day. The next stage will be to test some bespoke ERC components within the amplifier. Either this will add some positives to the sound or we may decide to leave “as is” depending on the results of these listening tests.
We look forward to bringing ERC customers some new product cut on this iconic system in the near future.
Scully Lathe.
Scully Lathe with Grampian Cutter Head
Gotham Amplifier (front)
Gotham Amplifier Power Supply.
Gotham Amplifier (rear)
Lyrec SV 8
Lyrec TR 18 & SV 8
