Great job Michael, I haven't touched any kind of tape player for over 30yrs.. You almost gave me a flashback..lol

Great video,just got one of these.Bit of a grinding noise from the take up side haven't opened it yet,so delighted to find this video Cheers

Thanks for the good advices. Will use on my Phillips N4407

Thank you Michael, great simple straightfoward video. You not knowing or remembering the names of parts is a plus. We know what your pointing at.

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David, I do so many takes that by the last one I can not even remember my name Lol

@williamblanchard7527

2 жыл бұрын

Pinch roller and capstan are two of the parts Micheal was trying to remember.

Wow £50 off ebay? great find! i'd been looking for ages for a reel to reel but i'm not willing to pay the silly money people are asking these days. I was actually given one the other day for nothing though, complete with user manual a 1971 phillips N4450. Amazingly it still works including the integrated amplifier. It just needs a clean and service but nothing major, it does sound a bit muffled and one of the motors struggles in one direction so the tape starts to spool out. Thanks for this video, very helpful.

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

Some buyers are asking over the odds buy it now, but still a chance of picking one up collection only now and then they appear, with maybe just needing a little service, controls cleaning etc, good luck with the Phillips

@benhall2235

Жыл бұрын

@@MichaelYates Thank you!

@HuskyGamersUNITE

Жыл бұрын

I got 2 Sony reel to reel units off eBay in 2022. One worked for 10 mins then died. The other is still working. The people paying out over a grand for these mostly chase after Teac and Marantz and other extremely advanced brands. Akai maybe goes around $200+ Absolutely nobody at all wants Sony, Magnavox, or any of the department store brands, so if you want a player just to enjoy you music like I did, focus on Sony decks from the TC series. I paired my Sony with a standalone "amplifier" (dolby noise reduction unit/splitter because the tape deck has no internal amp) and wooden Sony bookshelf speakers from some 1990s stereo (they match even if anachronistic) and made a lovely little setup for less than $150.

Buen trabajo , saludos

Excellent video! I have a Teac 330010, I notice sometimes the tape slips off the pinch roll, I stop the deck at start it back up and it works. I was wonder what would make it slip off the pinch roller in-ward toward the deck? I notice it does the same thing on my Pioneer RT 701 deck too once in a while. The pinch rollers don't look that bad. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

I would clean the tape transport and its all in alignment, make sure the pinch roller is not hard or surface is shiny, though could be just a little lack of tension on the take up reel and arm, this problem is not always an easy fix.

Tuve el 1721w era mui bueno ..traia amolificador i parlantes

@MichaelYates

4 ай бұрын

Sí, estas unidades se ven muy bien a pesar de que estaban prácticamente en la parte inferior del rango cuando se ven de carrete en carrete. El 1721 que tenías es una unidad muy similar. Gracias por los comentarios

What was the cleaning products that you used, amazing video thank you for posting..

@MichaelYates

2 ай бұрын

The pots were cleaned with Deoxit D5 , though something like Servisol super 10 will do the job, Cleaned rubber and heads with Isopropyl Alcohol, not using the same cloth though.

Can you do a video on changing the play cams as my Akai model 9 has just lost its play cam due to metal detoriation. I'm just not sure how to remove the control arms to refit the replacement cams .

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul I did try to get the play cam out , but mine will not budge, so at this moment in time I can not help. Wish you luck.. 12 volts does a video here showing a broken one in place, but he does not take it out kzread.info/dash/bejne/omhsp5WjlajYYto.html

Get dbx noise reduction system type 1 and type 2 for type and records must-have for records even playing through it add dynamics 224x nx40 about £30 second-hand Will completely eliminate hiss from tape and add dynamic range to tape and vinyl and vinyl that's been recorded with dbx much superior to Dolby noise reduction Can add 40db of gain to types and if you get the record that's been recorded in dbx be 118d be of Gain where a standard record is about 80db Max. Rubber goes hard with time and can be reformed specially belts firstly put the belts and the wheels in a jar of water in the microwave for 15 minutes then completely dry, then on a pan in a old metal tin put some thin silicone oil soak the guide wheels or any hard rubber simmer for about 25 minutes probably want to do this outside wipe off any excess and should be alright the silicone oil nourishes rubber brings it back to new. Take any rubber guide wheel of any plastic guide wheels' don't put that in the pan!

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks John, the dbx sounds very interesting and would love to try one of these units out. A quick search and I have seen a few on eBay for around the £80 mark, I will set up a saved search and hopefully find one a little cheaper. Thanks for the tip on softening the rubber also.

@QUADBOYification

2 жыл бұрын

Although DBX sounds really good it is very sensitive to dropouts and wowow & flutter, you need high tape speeds, and those sound 224x as good without DBX.

Good stuff - Have you dealt with the felt pads in these decks? I get some rubbing noise on playback just from the felt. Can't find any information on whether replacements are available, or should they be dealt with somehow?

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

Hi, No I have not personally, but I have read in a few places that taking apart each reel and cleaning the pads with a tooth brush as this artical here www.tapeheads.net/threads/akai-4000ds-mkii-tension-issue.70413/

Great video.I have a vintage ultra circa 1960's busted belt.Is it worth trying to superglue the belt together or get some 'o' ring cord and do the same.Incidenty is meths ok for cleaning??

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Simon, with gluing the belt that old would have thought it would not be to long before it goes else ware, try finding a new or similar belt would be best. The meth's would be fine for cleaning the belt, but heard its not that great when removing any grease.

@HuskyGamersUNITE

Жыл бұрын

You have to replace the entire belt with new. Find the specific belt for that unit, it can be more than one. The rubber is old and rotten. It can't be fixed. Most of them melt into liquid tar.

Hi sir.Thanks for your reply. Would you believe it. Thoroughly cleaned heads and da-da! Sound its back.dirty brown muck on cotton buds. Nadty! Now have to align head after head screw was removed but not by me and that sodding rubber flywheel that runs off motor shaft slipping.push it against motor pulkey and speed improves...ugh. Appreciate your assistance here. Will persevere

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

For proper alignment a special alignment tape and ossiliscope is required, but for a pretty dam close free go at doing this can be found on my cassette tape alignment video, pretty much the same as that but on a reel 2 reel head instead I would get a good bright recording that you have on a reel2reel tape and use that to align the playback head first as my cassette video and then on to the record head, feed in a bright recording on the input and monitor the output and adjust the record head so the output sounds the same as input, switching back and forth from tape monitor and play kzread.info/dash/bejne/fqZmqtyxmpbXpJs.html

Mui lindo eqipo

Cleaning is good, very good. What we do not see anywhere on KZread is how we change the capstan belt. Do we need to disassemble the motor on the back or just the rotor that comes through the front? It really isn't easy. Maybe you know it's done?

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, the Akai is in storage at the moment. I have some cd players and headphones to look at next, then I will did the Akai out and see how easy it is to change capstan and counter belt.

@mikelunsford7462

2 жыл бұрын

I laid one of my Akai units upside down on a workbench and my son wanted something around my bench while I was away, I came back and the right side reel holder was snapped. I had a donor unit so I pulled that one out and replaced my broken one. But even the donor one was slightly bent. I thought, I hell I hope it doesn't snap while bending into shape.. I was lucky. And the belts are easily gotten to from the rear of the unit, so I checked each against the donor but they're about the same. Put it all back together and all is good on my latest recapped re transistorized preamp Akai 4000 DSmk2. I'm thrilled

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Mike, I will replace the belts on mine soon when I get it out of the cupboard, think I will do some re-capping as well, just getting the time at the moment. Good to hear you managed to get your one back to shape and sounding well.

@mikelunsford7462

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelYates today I was able to test an add-on Bluetooth board. Its working on a test board connected to the preamp.. I've ordered PCB boards because I ran out, then I'll add it to my reel to reel. BTW.i ran the Audio to the microphone jacks on the preamp board opposed to the line input jacks. I'll also add blue LED to go along side of the lights in the Meters.

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikelunsford7462 Thanks Mike, I hope to get some spare time soon, The Bluetooth sounds a good idea and very handy

Hi Michael, great video. 👍 can i ask for any details on how the record engages? My one doesn't. The switch for the record light doesn't get pulled unless I physically pull the lever at the back and I can't figure out how the record head mechanism gets engaged to fix it. I can push the record button and then move from play to record but nothing happens 🤷 Everything else works none to shabby so it's a bit baffling! Any advice kindly appreciated.

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, I will be getting both decks out the cupboard very soon to do another video, Which machine do you have the 4000db or 4000ds as I am sure there is a difference in the 2 when record is pressed due to the DB having Dolby. I will try and incorporate the record mech into the video I will be doing

@numanisme

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelYates that would be amazing man, it's the 4000D I have so not Dolby. Also not DS or DB but I believe its just minor cosmetic differences to front panel. I honestly think anything you could cover would be so valuable so thank you kindly. I'd love to get the old girl working and mastering some recordings! Thankyou

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

@@numanisme I hope this might help you, at the end of this video I show the rec mech on a 4000db, you might not have the switch on the bottom board and just have the switch on the side plate, but it shows how they are both engaged and disengaged , kzread.info/dash/bejne/pXV4l9CcibfAj7Q.html

@numanisme

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelYates thanks so much for taking time to do that man!

Is there a tool or method for measuring the torque of the spindles? The service manual of my Voice of Music reel to reel gives values to check for, but I'm not sure how best to do that.

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jonathan, I think there probably is, but finding one might be another matter. They used to use a torque dial gauge (VHJ-0004) for video cassettes recorders as far as I know and with a little modification might be how to used on a reel2reel. But here is a link to someone that using fish scales with a little improvisation might help, if you read through it you will see the method www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=268062

I have got the same unit so this video was great for me, could you just tell me what spray you were using

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Roger, the pots were cleaned with Deoxit D5 , though something like Servisol super 10 will do the job, Cleaned rubber and heads with Isopropyl Alcohol, not using the same cloth though

@rogerlewis3735

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelYates Thank you so much for your quick reply the Deoxit D5 has some very good reviews so i will order some I have just subscribed to you, Iam sure i can learn a lot from your videos

Help ! Heads on a old sony tc266 have been messed with. Owner removed mount plate screws thinking he could take off mech to get to fly wheel belts now sound is awful all base and no volume. How can I possibly re-fit the head to align it.Thanks

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

Not going to be easy, a lot of trial and error with the tape runners alligement and tape azimuth depending what state he has left the unit. Having a tape with a high quailty recording will help with the alligement and azimuth. there is a service manuel on HiFiengine that may well assist you www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sony/tc-266.shtml ,, also I see this KZreadr is here kzread.info/dash/bejne/fo5prtKMlLDFo7g.html , is doing a lot of work on he's and could be another person to help on this perticular model

What kind of grease do you recommend for mechanical gearing?

@MichaelYates

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Stephen. I have been recommended LUBRIPLATE NO. 105 MOTOR ENGINE ASSEMBLY LUBE OIL GREASE a number of times, though I have used MODEL RAILWAY GREASE and SUPER LUBE both doing a good job.

Hello, I have a 4000DS what is the difference between the DB and DS? Can I just follow you one for one with this video?

@MichaelYates

Жыл бұрын

DB is basically the same as DS but with dolby, so yes can just follow this video