Scully Reel to Reel Tape Recorders

1919– Scully Recording Instruments founded by John J. Scully & his son Larry Scully in Connecticut, manufacturing cutting lathes used to make records. Almost all major masters were cut on a Scully Lathe until the 1960’s
1960’s– When Neumann lathes arrived in North America, Scully decided to move into the tape recorder market. Scully releases the 270 and 280 models.
1966– As recording studios were starting to move towards to  8-tracks on 1″ Tape,  Scully positioned themselves to gain this market
1967– Scully was purchased by Dictaphone, but production was kept the same. Scully introduced the 1″ 12-track; 284 transport, as well as the 2″ 16-track machines; 288 transport
1970’s– Scully backed out of the market when 24 track recorders were introduced by competitors
1971– The Scully 100 was introduced. It was a 16 track recorder marketed as the less expensive alternative to other makers
1980’s– After several years of mismanagement, Dictaphone sold Scully to Ampro, who eventually closed the company. Larry Scully had a non-compete with Dictaphone which ran out and in the mid ’80’s he made a comeback with the Scully LJ-10 and LJ-12 but there was a lot of competition and that did not turn into a success story.