Today I heard from a reliable source that Jelco is closing due to difficulties related to Covid-19, aging management, staff and equipment as well as poor profitability.
Late last year I purchased a Jelco TK-850L as a desperate last bid to have something reliable, unfussy and decent sounding for general use when I wasn't feeling tweaky. What I ended up was the best sounding and least fussy 12" arm I have encountered to date.
What a shame.
Jelco was OEM for Ortofon arms, as well as a number of others, and I suspect Jelco sourced components found their way into a lot of other people's arms.
Late last year I purchased a Jelco TK-850L as a desperate last bid to have something reliable, unfussy and decent sounding for general use when I wasn't feeling tweaky. What I ended up was the best sounding and least fussy 12" arm I have encountered to date.
What a shame.
Jelco was OEM for Ortofon arms, as well as a number of others, and I suspect Jelco sourced components found their way into a lot of other people's arms.
That's a shame. I always wanted to try a Jelco 750 arm in my Rega but never did. It was a small market I'm sure and hard to make profitable even at the price. There just isn't that much demand.
They were the major OEM for a number of tonearm brands (like Ortofon) as well as a supplier to some of the current TT makers.
I bought a 12 inch TK-850L very late last year which I would rate as a pretty exceptional arm compared to some much more expensive modern (and vintage) 12 inch arms I have owned.
The TK-850 is a very good arm in any incarnation. I recommend it if you can still get one.
I bought a 12 inch TK-850L very late last year which I would rate as a pretty exceptional arm compared to some much more expensive modern (and vintage) 12 inch arms I have owned.
The TK-850 is a very good arm in any incarnation. I recommend it if you can still get one.
I suspect many of the smaller Japanese firms are on the ropes as a result of 20 years of economic stagnation + covid-19.
I expect we will see a large % of the high end industry expire in the quagmire of covid-19 economic chaos. Outfits that are a part of large conglomerates will probably survive, and some dabblers who do not expect to make money at this game will as well.
Bill, unfortunately the source is very reliable and friendly with the management of Jelco. I'm a recent and enthusiastic fan, the TK - 850/950 and doubtless other of their newer offerings punch above their price points.
I'd swag that any acquisition is likely to come largely without the talent and experience of the current staff that made Jelco what it was.
I expect we will see a large % of the high end industry expire in the quagmire of covid-19 economic chaos. Outfits that are a part of large conglomerates will probably survive, and some dabblers who do not expect to make money at this game will as well.
Bill, unfortunately the source is very reliable and friendly with the management of Jelco. I'm a recent and enthusiastic fan, the TK - 850/950 and doubtless other of their newer offerings punch above their price points.
I'd swag that any acquisition is likely to come largely without the talent and experience of the current staff that made Jelco what it was.
A bit more information and the letter notifying of the closure. Jelco is officially gone as of today.
Is Tonearm Manufacturer JELCO a Covid-19 Victim? | Analog Planet
Is Tonearm Manufacturer JELCO a Covid-19 Victim? | Analog Planet
