The EMI TG12345 console, integral to Abbey Road, undergoes four years of restoration before hitting the auction block.
A remarkable piece of music history, the EMI TG12345 recording console used to create The Beatles‘ legendary Abbey Road album, is set to be auctioned after an extensive four-year restoration. Originally discarded in a skip, the console has undergone a transformation thanks to the efforts of Malcolm Jackson and his son, Hamish, from Hertfordshire.
The console played a pivotal role in recording the iconic album released on 26 September 1969 at Abbey Road Studios, the same studio immortalised on the album’s cover, featuring the Fab Four crossing the street. After the console’s final days at the studio, it was donated to a school but was tragically tossed aside when staff reportedly lacked the knowledge to utilise it effectively.
Fortunately, fate intervened when a passing musician spotted the console in the skip outside the St John’s Wood school. Captivated by its vintage switches and knobs, he rescued it, unaware of the musical treasure it housed. Hamish Jackson explained, “He thought it would look great on his guitar.” This serendipitous rescue sparked the journey towards restoring the console to its former glory.
Malcolm Jackson, who operates Malcolm Jackson Quipment in Rickmansworth, shared insights into the restoration process, which involved collaboration with 31 British companies and guidance from Brian Gibson, a former EMI engineer who worked with The Beatles. Gibson was instrumental in ensuring the integrity of the console’s historical significance while modernising it for potential use in today’s studios.
With only 17 such consoles produced worldwide, the EMI TG12345 is a rare find. Jackson Snr remarked, “The sound is so great; it’s special. Anyone who has this console will have the best studio in the world.” This claim was echoed by his son, who noted that the unique sound quality could not easily be described and offered an experience that elevates the recording process.
Now restored, the console represents a unique intersection of history and technology. Hamish stated, “You’re buying into the story—it’s that lovely combination of being the perfect engineering quality as well as having all this very significant history.” Whether as a working studio piece or a coveted collector’s item, this console is a tangible connection to the era that birthed some of the most beloved music of all time.
The console will be auctioned on 29 October via Reverb, an online music marketplace. With its storied past and the memories of The Beatles echoing through its circuits, this iconic piece of equipment is poised to attract bids from collectors and music lovers alike.
As the legacy of The Beatles continues to resonate, the auction of the EMI TG12345 console serves as a reminder of the profound impact these musicians had on the world of music and culture, underscoring the notion that sometimes, history can be found in the most unexpected places.
