Fairchild Model 642 Cutter Head Value?

[EastPoint]

Hi folks. Any idea what a Fairchild Model 642 cutter head would be worth? There's nothing anywhere on the net. I know this is a rare one, though there's not much info about it out there.

[markrob]

Hi,

As far as I know, the 641 is a Lateral/Vertical (rather than 45/45) stereo cutterhead that is part of the full feedback system referred to as the 641. Do you have the entire system or just the head? Any pictures or other info?

Lots of info here:

https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4422

Mark

[EastPoint]

I just have the head, unfortunately.

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[flozki]

hello.
the head is a a pure & nice museum item. unless a collector is hunting for it its worthless.
in a practical way. yes i know: it says fairchild. but not useable.
i know at least one amp system that changed hands for way too big money (because of the fairchild tag) . nice & very powerful amps.
the best out of the whole system.
as i work on a overview of commercial stereo heads since quite a while i am also connect heads to records cut with these particular heads.
a very good example how bad the head was can be heard on this record.
april stevens teach me tiger.
compare the stereo record made with fairchild 642 to the mono pressing cut with a simple grampian type d.which is an ok head but never has the sound of a good moving coil head (if this record would have been cut with an ortofon mono ...wowowow)
the mono record blasts you away. the 642er cut is thin and boring. a shame. a waste of vinyl.
and i have one of those 642 heads.and i have seen a few head concepts during the years. the best on it is the fairchild logo.

if someone has the amps give me a shout. there is a good home...

happy cutting
f.
******************************************************************************************************************
still looking for a neumann ZS90/45 (even broken) in trade for a caruso or a pitch18 controller.

other missing museums items. dead or alive. for my documentation project.
ortofon DS731 red
ortofon DSS821 green
JVC CH-90
neumann sx80

[dubcutter89]

...since flo already has one - I'm interested!
and if I'll ever manage to make it work I'll do the grampian comparison!

[markrob]

If I had a easy way to test it, I would be interested as well. To start, you could run it open loop and use an Mid/Side encoder to make it work. That would require the usual heavy EQ, but its been done before. I would love to try and make a modern version of the RF eddy current feedback system used with this head. The design is pretty well documented in the AES paper from back in the day. They even show the schematic.

I hope you work out a deal with dubcutter69.

Mark

[flozki]

look forward not backward. spinnig records backwards you only hear the dark messages...
life is too short for bad cutterheads, records, coffee..
a waste of time & energy. there are many records out whre you can read"the fairchild 641 sterephonic disc mastering system was used...."
all i have heard where never as good as the same cut with another head.
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create new.make it better there is a reason why out of the few none is used for the last 40 years.

[edaudio]

As unusual as this head is, no one that I know of is cutting with one, and as yours is untested there is no way it is worth $10,000.

The head had a very short life because records kept getting louder and Fairchild dropped out of the recording equipment business.

The head is useless without the electronics both because of its unique lateral / vertical design and the electronics being specific to that head.

A Fairchild 642 sold on eBay for $350 in 2019.