All I can say is I wish there was a technician like you that lived nearby. Great work!

This one was the most help in cleaning up and re-lubricating the TC-350, thanks again sir.

Hi 12 volt vids.i picked up one of these old machines off eBay that had same problems.after watching your video I’ve now fixed up mine. Many thanks for your great videos.

I just found one of these in a local resale shop and I thought it was too good to be true when I found this video. Thanks so much!

Great refurbish Video! I have the same unit (with built in speakers on the sides) and I just listened to a recording that my Dad made back in 1965. This machine was a present from him on my 10th birthday, and spurred my interest in sound recording ever since. Not sure I have the stamina to tear apart my unit (which sorely needs lubrication, calibration, etc) but I enjoyed watching your process. Bravo!

Thank you so much for this... I have a TC-200A that was a gift from my mother to my father xmas of 69, and with your help I was able to restore it to get a recording off of a tape even older than the unit. Only real difference between mine and this one is the speakers, rather than being in the top cover they are on the sides next to the cutouts for the jacks. I can attest the units sound decent considering how simple they are, and I was surprised how low the wow and flutter is (didn't actually measure it but it's low enough that it's not noticable audibly). I still need to go in and do some more cleanup on some contacts, namely the record switches, still some static here and there on playback but all in all, I'm happy so far. Also, mine mentions transistor locations inside but I didn't find any, just 6 tubes (I'll be looking closer when I pull the board out of the bottom to clean the switches). With that I end on a question: Any idea what the range of serial numbers are? This one is 1596. Thanks again for this video... Probably could have done it without it, but this made it so much easier to see what I was in for!

Hi Volt, Very good video and congrats on the success of the rebuild. Your expert knowledge of the electronics worked to your advantage in replacing the capacitor. On my rebuild of my Sony TC-630 the electronics problem prompted me to quit and put the non-working unit back in the attic. I wish I lived close enough to you so you could fix mine. I would even consider shipping the unit but it weights a ton. Great video, Thanks

I just came into possession of a Solid State version of this. Your video is a god send. Thanks!

i have just aquired this exact same model,serial number earlier in the 60000s,so will be tube i guess,boy am i glad this video exists.great channel sir.

I love your intro. Especially the cat at the end!

My father got the Sony TC-230 and it was the same mechanism except for two 5tension arms at each side that auto stopped the mechanism if something wasn't right . It was also all solid state ! Good memories on this one. :)

watching this should help me with my tc 250

Just finished all your steps on serial number 97552 a tube/solid state. All cleaned and re oiled and now the fast forward pops up like it should, rewind,,pinch roller was just gummed right up,,all in all a good fix,,NOW the motor cap,,,,only played about 10 minutes and really slowed down,,,

The best of both worlds, valves and transistors :-D. I like your cap mounting, leaving the original one there, so it still has originality. I have never used any kind of add blocker, i use chrome for youtube and it is setup as standard., and for general web browsing i use firefox with some blocking. I noticed the carbon resistors with the odd endcaps/strips, an unusual design that keeps them straight and upright in respect to the pcb.

that amplifier sounds great

Thanks very much for this.

I had one of these in 1965. Ĺed to an entire career I guess.

Amazing, the stroboscope on pinch roller to check the correct speed.

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Which doesn't show to the eye under my electronic balast lights, but did strope for the camera shutter at 60Hz.

got one just like that, and with the original Sony Stereo Demo Tape on a 5 inch reel, only thing missing from complete package are the 2 external mono microphones. Just wish it could be mounted verticaly so it could be a showpiece among my other hi-fi components.

Yesterday, I saw this same exact model at the Annex Antique Center in Red Hook, NY for $65, and I have not pick them up, but it looks really good, but I haven’t tried it yet, but I don’t have a chance to get it anytime soon. This right at 37:17 has a hybrid tube amplifier like the ones in my Concord 220T also has a hybrid tube amplifier with transistors on them. The Sony TC 600 (the one I used to have) also has the same mechanism like the one in your TC 200 also has a hybrid tube amplifier as well. The Concord 220 has Japanese parts like the Sony’s do, and it was built by Matsushita, the same company that made National and Panasonic, and also made for Concord.

I just bought one today for 50 dollars and it has 35 tapes with it. 30 of them are 7 inch tapes and 2 were Janis Joplin. There are about 20 that I would consider groups I’d listen to so a couple tapes are worth what I paid. It sounds pretty good so far but I’ll test it out and listen to a few tapes. Thanks for the great how to video!

@12voltvids

2 жыл бұрын

I was given a full tube Sony reel to reel which I will be restoring soon. Will be fun to see if it works and what needs to be done to it. Being tubes, I am sure there are wax caps that need to go.

@patfromamboy

2 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids I have a Channel Master portable reel to reel like my uncle had that I just bought and it worked great for an hour and then slowed down and the voices sound funny. I am guessing that it’s the electrolytic capacitor for the motor that went bad. What do you think? Another Channel master cassette player that I just bought has a bad belt because rewind doesn’t work and the belt seems like a loose rubber band. I have several new projects! Merry Christmas! Thanks

@12voltvids

2 жыл бұрын

@@patfromamboy if it has an ac motor.

You think it's hot there it's been up to 35c in parts of the UK recently Very unusual! Thanks for all your videos

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Oh it has been very hot here too. Away from the water it has been upwards of 34. I am on the water, about 100 metres to be exact. So for it to get past 30C here is really unusual because of the water.

Equally rare is the Sony tc500 which I believe was all tube. 2 x 12AD7, 2 x 6AU6, 2 x 6AQ5 (speaker output), 1 x 6CA4 and 1 x 12BH7A one of the two which I believe was the bias oscillator.

I just opened a TC-200 with serial number 128949. Externally it’s different in that mine is dark colored and had a strap-type handle. Internally I noticed there is a difference in the transformers. BUT! It also has TUBES! The tubes are marked “63” and I see “64” the pots. Based on ads I found in old magazines I’d date it at 1965.

I had one of these. The motor made a very loud grinding noise during playback, and anything played back sounded very muffled. Kinda wish I kept it, but I really needed the room at the time, and I have no experience fixing these. I ended up giving it away.

This has the same mechanism which was used in my Sony TC-600 that I used to have.

This is what i did too back in 2019 philips reel to reel epic.

Is this a multi-voltage deck? If so, the cover over the capstan may possible be an adaptor for 50 or 60 hertz. I bought a similar model to this one a couple of year ago. Unfortunately all the internal rubber intermediary parts were in the process of breaking down, making the set unserviceable unless I could have found someone to reproduce new rubber parts. You might also want to lubricate all the other moving parts as well.

Very interesting but how d works going still d power on

Great video thanks. Is the AC cap a dual 1.5uf & .5uf ? Just wondering if you are leaving the .5uf in place whilst replacing the 1.5uf side of the cap.

After restoring a Sony TC-377, while recording 4kHz from a func-gen , the HP counter is reading 3997-4003 Hz off the tape monitor. +/- of 3 Hz is actually the same speed accuracy as my Tech RS1506. Damn !

I noticed your reaction to the discovery of the tube amplifier in the sony is it dangerous to leave the old capacitor connected to the motor along with the new one I am just wondering maybe it will not have any effect or it will I think your skill is amazing and all your videos are wonderful thank you for being on you tube all of the parts on my teac a-1200u are free and not stiff and the solenoid is very weak and very little power as you have said it might be costly but I am asking you because of your knowledge and skill you would know the right price for the pinch roller solenoid thank you so much have a goord week

It hit 41c here in the UK south coast, i nearly melted.

Excellent video. I just found one of these in a old tour bus down in the bay. I wanted to buy the bus but It was to much for me. I looked in the bay and saw the recorder and they gave it to me. It powers on and rewinds and fast fwd the pinch roller is turning and I have sound coming through the speakers. I need head cleaner rubber cleaner in a de mag device before I try my old tapes. Great video just what I needed. If I could I would love you to go through it. Subbed for sure. Well I spoke to soon now it don't play or rewind?

Thanks for another great video, at 23:40 the L bracket that you forgot to install on the screw at the bottom left corner nearest the control magically appears !! I not sure if there is a certain position or angle it goes, thanks for your reply

this is one nice tonband machine,

My record buttons seem stuck no matter how hard you press them they don't move .any ideas ..thanks .great video

Great video..... I just bought a Sony TC 200 and the right channel has no sound coming out of it. Any suggestions on what might be wrong? Thanks for your help.

I am based in London, watched your video reparing sony tc 200.I have the same model, stored for a long time. every thing working perfectly but no sound,indicator shows on the gage and on channel only.could you please guide or advice, many thanks.

I think your music. Is kool

Hello, may I please ask you a question about the SONY tc250a, perhaps you know if it can be fixed? The tape speed switch doesn't work, it pushes up for the 3 3/4, it won't stay in the down position, and it doesn't rotate the wheels (It does stay down with 7 1/2 speed). If press down the switch in the 3 3/4, the wheels rotate and audio plays. Can this be foxed? Thank you!

How exactly would one be able to connect a modern 3.5 cable into this device? would I plug it into the speaker ports or would I do something else? Any help is appreciated, Im trying to digitize some old tapes.

I have a tc230 i just got but it wont let me move the selector to fwd.

The flywheel has slid lower on the shaft, hence the noise!

i usually find those capacitors on ebay the new kind is rectangular

What do you use to clean off old grease, etc?

Would you happen to know what other machines have the same pinch roller? I have the same tape deck and the roller has got rock hard. It also has two capstan-shaped dents... I also tried boiling it, but it had no effect whatsoever.

I have a vintage tube amp and in Phono. If I move my hand near front right side of amp it hums and gets louder closer I get to front if touch metal Hum goes away any thoughts what could cause this?

Your technology is really professional! I have a SONY TC-500. Its mechanical structure should be very similar to that of the TC-200. Your video is very helpful to me. In addition, my TC-500 has a Channel that has low frequency oscillating sound when playing. do you know which part of the circuit may be causing it? Thank you!

What would cause a no rewind function on a Craig 4 head # 2402 reel to reel recorder?

Great work worm sound. what you think about Grundig tk-340?

@12voltvids

Жыл бұрын

Grubdigs always sounded great. As do most tube amplifiers

I bought two of these TC-200 and one had tubes like yours and the other all solid-state.😞

I was having a speed issue with my TC200 and replaced the capacitor with one with matching specs, but mylar. When playing back longer tapes, at anywhere from 48 to 60 minutes in the speed begins to slow. If I turn the Sony off for a while, I can resume playing and the speed is once again correct. I know this is not a tech support site, but do you have any suggestions for what I should check? Maybe I should look for an oil filled capacitor?

@12voltvids

2 жыл бұрын

Belt? Motor needs lubricating?

@JRossHunter

2 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids Thanks. I'm going to see if the motor/capstan needs cleaning and lubricating.

is 29 hot in your shop ? I want to say thank you for making this video....AMAZING 😂😂

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Yes 29 is pretty warm here. That's 85 for Americans that don't think metric. Average here is 20 to 23 in the summer. With the humidex it feels more like about 40, which is 105F. I was in Arizona last year and it was 45C, but a dry heat. Well with the humidity here it feels like that type of heat.

@zacharysandberg

6 жыл бұрын

It’s been 36 degrees in Houston daily. 29 is a summer night temp.

@glenngoodale1709

6 жыл бұрын

wow

Hello , could i ask : why did you leave the bad capacitor in place ? Did you put the new one then in series or in parallel with the old one ? Shouldn't you remove the old one ? How did you couple the new one ?

@12voltvids

3 жыл бұрын

No need to physically remove it. Then i have to deal with disposal of a PCB containing capacitor. I disconnected the lead from the cap and put it on the new one.

Dave if your in Shrewsbury England someone has a reel to reel recorder for sale claims it works it's sec hand memorabilia shop.

@SDsailor7

2 жыл бұрын

He is in Canada.

Mr. I have three models but all speed slow can you give me a good advice how to rectify pls

@makkalnalam9179

4 жыл бұрын

Reply please tc 105 tc 330 tc 521

I have a Sony tc-230 that was running slow so i replaced the motor run capacitor and it ran fine for a couple of times the next day i went to run it the speed was much slower. The schematic showed a 1.5uf and a 0.05uf capacitors in parallel so for 50 hrtz it requires 2uf and for 60hrtz it requires 1.5uf since both caps were in the same can i was thinking that i needed a 2uf run capacitor so what i am going to do is buy a 1.5uf motor run cap and see if that cures the problem. (the deck has been lubbed)

@12voltvids

2 жыл бұрын

From my experience these motors want an oil filled motor capacitor. I have tried putting in the mylar types of the same value and the torque is always low.

What oil are you using to lubricate it?

@12voltvids

2 ай бұрын

3 in 1 electric motor oil.

why does everyone assume because it is a AC synchronous motor that it will automatically run at correct speed? sure 60 hz should somewhat control the speed , but the actual voltage can vary the speed or torque. I have a voice of music 749 from 1966 that ran fast... compared to my dc motored units , cleaned all pulleys and idlers, and motor is stamped for 60 hz.. and is directly connected to the line , no caps or anything ... ended up placing a 20 ohm 20 watt resistor in line to slow down the motor enough to sound like my other units...the case says voltage requirements are 105-115 volts... todays voltage in my area is 120 - 125 maybe too high for that unit.... oh and every sony I worked on the motor cap was junk...

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Squirrel cage are generally pretty close. Induction motors also will generally run at the correct speed unless you exceed the maximum HP rating, and then they will slow down. Only a synchronous motor will be exact. Synchronous motors are very low power and generally will NOT start on their own. The Hammond B3 organ for example has a synchronous motor for the tone wheel, and it has a seperate starter motor to get it going to speed. These induction motors have 2 winding's. One fet directly from the line, and the other through the run capacitor. The run capacitor creates the 90' shift rotating magnetic field. If the cap changes capacity, the resulting rotating field will be incorrect, and the motor speed will suffer as demonstrated. Note that the capacity of the bad cap had actually increased. This was probably due to internal leakage. Voltage will affect the speed very slightly, unless it way off. The run capacitor is the biggest influence on the speed of these motors, which are usually relatively close. A servo motor is the really only option if you require an exact speed.

how much would it be for me to send it to you to fix? i have one in my possession and i was just wondering

@SDsailor7

2 жыл бұрын

It will be expensive. And who knows if he will accept it. Best to find a tech in your area.

Dear Sir, i am writing to you from India , i also have this sony TC-350 and had the same motor problem , the 1.5 capacitor is not available here , can you help me in arranging the capacitor

What do you use to lubricate it exactly

@peterk8978

3 жыл бұрын

Light machine oil. You can search for “sewing machine oil”. I use Liberty brand.

Did you replace the power cord? Any need to replace any other caps or just recap totally? Thank you

@12voltvids

2 жыл бұрын

On tube gear the only caps that are necessary to replace our paper caps. if they have ceramic or my other caps they're generally fine. Even the electrolytics last forever because back in those days they were oil-filled and they never fail. Also only amateurs do total recaps you realize that right? Professionals never totally recap they find the one or two faulty caps and change them. Anyone that tells you any different doesn't know what they're talking about. Recapping an app or any of that trying to device is going to change the sound and not necessarily for the better I've had to go back on an amplifier that a customer insisted that I change every single cap I had to go back after the fact and put all the old ones back in because he wasn't happy with the sound of the expensive capacitor kit that he bought online. Vintage gear is left best with the original caps other than ones that have obviously failed and paper caps in the case of tube equipment only because paper caps go electrically leaky and will burn out tubes.

@garyfriedlander2396

2 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids Thank you. I have heard others speak of complete re-capping. However, I had not considered the impact on sound. Your video and advice are much appreciated. I did note on my Sony, the motor capacitor is shot, so will replace that one. Unfortunately, I also found I don't have the tube version :(. With the new cap, and a lot of the mechanical work you show, I am confident, I will get this Sony back on its feet. Thank you again.

@12voltvids

2 жыл бұрын

@@garyfriedlander2396 oh I heard the stories from people saying you have to totally recap everything. Remember there are guys out here that will charge people for four to five hundred dollars to recap an app and convince them that every cap needs to be changed because that's where they make their money. there are shops around still specialty shops that will insist that you have to do it again because it's another way you can make money. I've done it a couple times for guys that insist that they want all the Caps changed and I let them supply the cap kits. They go online and they find a capacitor kit for $150 or $200 for their specific model they bring me the equipment with the capacitor kit and pay me just to change them. I did a few of them before I was making videos and one guy was very upset because his cherished amplifier now sounded totally different. I forgot what brand it was might have been a sansui or a luxman. Anyway when I pulled the old caps I put them in a bag and gave them to him. he complained almost immediately that it didn't sound right, sounded just fine to me. even had me come to his house to listen to it and tell me how bad it sounded compared to how it used to sound and demanded that I take it back and put the old caps back in. I did I gave him a bill to change them again the guy cut me a check when I went to cash or check I found it the SOB had put a stop payment on it. that was the last check I ever accepted from anyone now it's cash or you don't get your equipment back. That's how I ended up scoring a sansui 9090. I rebuilt that one for a guy, it belonged to his roommate of the day. Since I had put a lot of money in parts into this receiver that had been blown up good, I had about 12 transistors and a few resistors and other parts that were burned up I told him cash up front are you don't get it. He said the guy that owned it wanted to make sure it worked before he paid for it, I turned it on let him listen to it I said there it works give me the cash and you can have it otherwise it sits here. The guy that owned it didn't want to pay until he had it and I explained to the guy that brought it to me well this is the way it works every month it goes up $50 for storage. About a year later he calls me up he says yeah my roommate wants his receiver back he's moving I said great you got the cash I'll get you the cash I said that's fine it's 500 bucks now he says what do you mean. I wasn't joking about the $50 a month storage it's now $500. The abandoned it so I got myself a nice receiver. Now today these receivers go for big bucks I could get 2,000 probably for this unit easily, but back when this happened they weren't going for much people were throwing them out even when the bill was only 200 to fix it the guy was squawking about how much it cost. But anyway I've had a couple of experiences with people insisting that every capacitor has to be changed and I warn everyone it's not going to sound the way you're used to it sounding, you may love this new sound or you may hate it because modern capacitors do not have the same chemical makeup as the vintage did. The chemical composition is totally different thanks to the EPA requiring that they all must be environmentally friendly now. This changes the characteristics even the so-called audiophool grade don't have the same characteristics that the originals did. So I just changed the ones that go bad and everyone's happy.

is that a 2 track or 4 track unit? i've love to have a 2 track i knew someone who had a Revox and it was amazing

@12voltvids

3 жыл бұрын

It was 2 channel quarter track.

I have one of these. Got it in 68. I have many tapes and would love to re listen to our old band recordings. Would you be interested in restoring it ?

Got to deal with bees too. Who would have thought this job contained such hazards ;)

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Right, well the bastard stung me, and I zapped it with my 10,000 volt fly swatter.

@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365

6 жыл бұрын

He had it coming :)

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

He went "pop"

ooohhh chubes

We have alot in Common @

Do you know anyone who could work on these players in Santiago, Chile?

But after fixing the speed problem it can be, that the tapes of the customer which have been recorded using wrong speed will now play a little bit to fast.

the reel table may need to be taken off but the capacitor may need replacing

what is that song that you recorded on the tape

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Corporate Progress by the MusicBakery

@axelthefoxytechworld8024

6 жыл бұрын

i recorded the song on a cassatte tape an it sounds terrible one of these days i need to find a reel to reel but were i am those thi cant even use ebay

The TC -500 has 6 tubes I think.

motor start capacitor

Hey Dave, how would you rate the sound quality from 1-10 (10 being the best) I’ve learned so much from you

@12voltvids

Ай бұрын

Its tape and old. On a scale 1 to 10 3

@JmieYoutube

Ай бұрын

Thanks man

@JmieYoutube

Ай бұрын

@@12voltvids I bought a used hybrid model today for $20 my first to dissect no sound out of chsnnel 2

song name at 53:54 ?

I have the sony tc 500 which is tubes..

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

They had a few models with tubes early, but even this one, mid way through production the tubes were phased out. Of course today, these are the machines that are sought after for the warm tube sound.

Hello! I have an Akai M10. Although it's in good condition, after 3-4 hours it slows down. If you turn it off for a while, it'll olay normally again. it is an issue difficult to reproduce unfortunately but it exists. Could that be it's motor capacitor?

@12voltvids

3 жыл бұрын

Could be getting tired but i would suspect dry bearings, after it runs for awhile the metal to metal contact heats up and the metal starts expanding the metal which causes it to start to seize and slow down. I have had this happen on pinch roller. A motor run cap could cause it on an induction motor.

@CFADful

3 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids hello and I hope you're well thank you very much for your response! It's almost been a month since I have this reel to reel and the funny thing is that this issue no longer occurs. It happened just two times and I have to say that when I got it in the beginning it was getting very very warm and that issue happened like twice after it played for 5 to 6 hours. I tried to reproduce the issue and it's never happened again even when it played non-stop for 20 hours and I also suspect a capacitor for this since what I also noticed is that it no longer gets that warm. course anything else would be purely theoretical and one of these days after the lockdown of course I will make sure to take it to specialist. so far it plays and records well but it definitely needs new capacitors maybe some transistors and last but not least calibration.

@SDsailor7

2 жыл бұрын

@@CFADful So did you rplace the motor run capacitor? And did that help? I have a similar issue. Cheers

@CFADful

2 жыл бұрын

@@SDsailor7 well, the capstab died a week ago so I sent it to a certified tech and I'm waiting now. It couls be just a bad transistor, I hope it will be repaired, I miss it so much !!

@SDsailor7

2 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids So on AC run motors the run capacitor is not normally an issue?

@27m - RIP headphone users. >.

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

White Tiger Gaming Lolololol

@duraker1

6 жыл бұрын

quite weird for someone with a nickname close to "tiger games" to complain about high pitch noise :kappa:

@llloyd4

5 жыл бұрын

Tigers have really good hearing and that pitch was one that skull f***s you. >.< Not quite as bad as a vacuum cleaner but, jeezus.

I'm from Pune,India I have also same model. It's in working condition with some problems anyone can repair in India?

Hi, at 19:04 I spotted which looks like a wasp trying to pester you.

@12voltvids

6 жыл бұрын

Yes and at 19:06 the bastard stung me right behind my ear.

+

Mr. No need remove capacitor d old one you add only some volt can enough

Turn the phone off

@12voltvids

3 жыл бұрын

Can't I'm on call.

29 Celsius? I always thought Americans did Fahrenheit.

@12voltvids

5 жыл бұрын

They do. I'm not an American. They are close. I could throw a stone into America but I am in Canada and we use the metric system here. I am old enough to remember miles and Fahrenheit but someone a few years younger than me knows nothing about that.

@QoraxAudio

5 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids Nice, that makes everything much easier. Reminds me of Australia, they also switched over to metric, during the 80s if I'm right.

@12voltvids

5 жыл бұрын

@@QoraxAudio It is easier, and universal. Some day our neighbors to the south will change. Or then again maybe they won't, after all look at who they elected.

@QoraxAudio

5 жыл бұрын

@@12voltvids Hahaha! Yeah a businessman with a funny haircut telling fairytales to his 'employees' 😆

@12voltvids

5 жыл бұрын

@@QoraxAudio Makes for entertainment on late night tv. The hacked presidential seal projected behind him the other day was priceless.