Thanks for taking me back to the start of my college years and the start of my radio career at KUWR Laramie1974.I took with me to the dorm my brand new Sony TC 280 Reel to Reel. Then at the radio station got to work with Revox B 77 model 101/2" reel to reel decks with auto-start to record NPR Network feeds for airing later when needed. Also worked with 4 reel to reel decks on an FM automation system at KLEN FM Cheyenne from 74-77 weekends.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! my player got caught on a reel like yours, and i was worried it was broken. I did some research and found this so now i can use it more

This is so wonderful! It can be challenging to keep going with our own creative pursuits, but this is definitely an inspiration for my music.

That really is awesome.....Dad had one of these..Well similar....made by Ferguson....Back in the 70`s....Great to see such "Vintage" tech working so well....

I like the use of the idler wheel to drive the flywheel, it's a lot like the Sony ones. None of that turning to goo experience. Also how you can use speakers so you don't have to hook it to an amp. Very nice recorder!

Nice deck! I was trying to figure out who made the Sears stuff and you answered that- thanks!

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

Fantastic reel-to-reel deck! My first one was a Sony solid state mono reel deck that my grandfather used for dictation and then about 15 to 20 years ago, I acquired some other more sophisticated decks by Akai and Tascam. They're always fun (when they work properly) and they have that cool factor for sure. :)

That sounds great. I'm sure it records great too. I'm glad you finally got one and it's three speed.

It’s awesome you branched into this. I have an Akai 7” deck hooked into my component system and I love having the variety when collecting and playing music. Often I’ll get 6 hour blank reels and run through my LPs to make big mix tapes. Perfect for when you want hours of fiddle-free background music while you’re doing other stuff or having guests over. Looks cool while running too. ;) Have fun with it!

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Reel to reel was considered the top of the line tape format, and as you mentioned, it was considered to be a cut above vinyl as well. The main reason was sound quality. You had no pops or clicks, and it was recordable so you could make your own tapes from fresh vinyl before it started to have surface noise. I know that this is true, for someone who worked with my father used to buy a vinyl album, record it in full on reel to reel, and then he literally gave away his vinyl record. I bet he wishes he kept them now (presuming he’s still around, this was a few years ago). Another reason tape was preferred was the fact that many record players of the time did not have the quality of cartridges and styli that you have today. Tape just sounded crisper and cleaner, with relatively no sibilance. It would be interesting if back in the 60s and 70s, if you could have gotten an equivalent of the Ortofon 2m Blue, If reel to reel still would have been the preferred format.....

I have the same one gave to me along side with other stuff from my grandpa when he passed away I never knew what it even was

I own an AKAI R2R and it has been quite some time (probably 20 years) since I use it. It is still in my storage room. I may bring it down one of these days and hook it up to my Optimus stereo system from the late 90s.

Excellent- an R2R video- well done for getting one of these ( appreciate you had a smaller R2R refurbished by a specialist recently) .I have had 4 over the years but only 2 now which are awaiting restoration ( so i can play my pre-recorded Beatles tapes eventually). Keep up the good work please & greetings from England.

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

I had this same model as a teenager. Got it for Christmas. Really enjoyed making mix tapes. Unfortunately I do not know what became of it.

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Very cool!

I have a couple Akai decks, but unfortunately the both have issues. On one somebody thought it was a good idea to make the head height adjustment cam out of POT METAL 😡 which is infamous for cracking and self distructing. And my other Akai has a bad bias oscillator meaning I can playback tapes but until I get that fixed, I cannot record or erase tapes. The best working reel to reel I have currently is a VM 722 from 1961! I’m hoping to get rid of the Akai decks and get a Pioneer deck one day.

PS-the other issue for vinyl at the time was cheap record players. Many people had the all in one systems, which had a record changer (as opposed to a stand alone turntable) that was definitely not top of the line. Nothing in these all in ones sounded particularly good, but the record changer tended to particularly cheaply made. And then there were the cheap all in one record players with equally as cheap speakers that sounded like crap. I remember having one of these from Radio Shack in my dorm room at college (don’t ask the year 😊😊😊), because it was considered to be portable. But it did the job. Lastly: the fact that turntables are still around and popular today, and good luck finding an affordable equivalent reel to reel player, should answer once for all which format REALLY is King!!!

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Fair point!

That's great nice tape player.

Just found this video, I have this unit which was my dad's. Still works but could use some TLC.

DO NOT use magnetic tools while you were positioning the tape-can they can magnetize the tape!Causing a "bloop" sound in speakers with good LF response.When I worked on the RR edit machines at VOA a quixk test was to wave a screwdriver just in front of the head when the machine was in play mode-a BLOOP sound heard on the speaker!Did this when I didn't have a tape.DON'T touch the head with the screwdriver-though.Too me RR wasn't that much trouble-a seasoned radio broadcast engineer tape was second nature.Also worked on RR tape dubbers-two main banks-one mono-other stereo could make up to 15 copies at once!And high speed-would dub a 7" reel in less than two min!Had to maintain those machines and tune the head alignment.

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Very good point!

I want one now. Damn it.

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

sorry lol

I really appreciate and enjoy your channel! As a child from the 1960s, I lived and drooled over all of the technology you feature, when it actually was cutting edge! I still have and use the Concord 107 tape recorder my family got in 1965! And I just bought a Sony TC 353 from Ebay, which I intend to restore. I also have a Teac 1250s and a Pioneer RT707. My wife puts up with all of my vintage stereo equipment (So far). You mentioned the channel you made the trade with. I'd like to see their video about your deck! Could you put a link to their channel or better yet, to the video of your deck? Keep up the great shows! Our hobby (sickness) needs people like you to show how great physical media is and the great equipment both vintage and new that's available to play it! I work with "Tech" all day - I'm the Videotape engineer on a small show you might have heard of (America's Funniest Home Videos - I'm in the credits). And then I get to play with it again when I get home!

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Hey thats awesome!!!!! :)

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

The other channels are Fardemark and Peter Landry

I just purchased a model 564 3400 1700 (Basically the same thing you show here) The knobs look a tad different, and the record buttons are red. I enjoyed your video; however, I was looking for information of the "How to record properly". I have been playing with the sound levels knobs when I am recording but I just can't nail down what is doing what.

I had the same exact model growing up. Used if for everything. started out as a CB power microphone hooked to a radio shack 100mW walkie talkie to give it higher modulation and actually be heard. The in high school it ran my pirate FM station for three years. Most of my young life it ran with a blown right audio output channel. Fixed that in high school. I'm noticing the stuff left playback level meter and no level change on the right. Did you ever fix that? They are both supposed to move on playback. And on record of course.

@yea8776

Жыл бұрын

I have a Sears 34401 With the same issue. There is no sound on the Right Channel on the Inputs and Outputs. How did you fix it on your machine?

i have one of these. I think one of the channels has constant static. Is that a indication that the transistors need to be replaced?

My uncle passed away 3 years ago left me this exact reel to reel. I can't find belts any idea what the measurements are for them? It would mean the world to me to get it running. No belts in it at all If you find a seller on eBay let me know most belt seller's act like they never heard of this model

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Hmmm not sure of sizes yet.....so sorry for your loss.

Thats a Sanyo with a Sear label.

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

Right, on another video we discovered Sanyo labeling on the motor and speakers.

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

It was right before Sanyo launched their own brand into the US - lots of Sears stuff was Sanyo.

Reel to Reel. Way too much trouble .

Panasonic bought sanyo a few years ago

what type of reels does this take?

@Recordology

3 жыл бұрын

7"

@Tiger.Arcade

3 жыл бұрын

@@Recordology I have this but it's slightly different. Red recording buttons and knobs a bit different. Wonder if its from 1968 as well. Just posted a video on it on my page.

I would suggest cleaning the pinch roller as it doesn't look like it's been done lately. There also appears to be several cosmetic issues that need addressing. Has this really been refurbished?

I cannot be the only one who saw the title and immediately thought of this song: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qKmjms19Zd2sZaw.html