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I would like to pick up a nice, reasonably priced reel to reel for home use. I would like to record and also play pre-recorded tapes. Where can I go to learn more? Any suggestions for particular decks, reliable sellers, where to get repairs?Thanks!
Follow Ups:
it's better then the best of the best and the rest of the best bestest most best, better then the bestest. Better squared.:)
The first and best piece of advice I can give you is DON'T BUY THE CHEAPEST DECK YOU CAN FIND.Good condition, plug-and-play reel to reel decks go for a premium today. That's the bottom line. Expect to pay anywhere between $300-$450 for a *GOOD* 7" reel machine and anywhere from $400-$1000 for a *GOOD* 10" capable. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Sure, decks can be FOUND at considerably lower prices, but we are talking Kennedy and Johnson era machines. Or machines that look more like they've been used as a football.
Or both.
You get yourself some cheap old clunker and the money you thought you were going to save versus buying a comparable 'cherry' deck is going to be lost in time, frustration, and repairs.
-speaking of which: good, qualified R2R repair facilities are getting harder and harder to find. If you are concerned about repairs before you've even made your purchase means you are asking for trouble.
Not that I am biased or anything, but I would have to give a thumbs up to any good cond Teac or Tascam machine. I say that because 1) they have a proven reliablity record, 2) exist in plentiful numbers, and 3) are still to some degree FACTORY supported with parts and service.
You get a Sony, Akai, Technics, or what have you deck that breaks, and you are all but S-O-L. Unless you want to go diving through dusty boxes at second hand electronics stores. Or else buy a whole other deck to gut for parts. And as far as service for those decks, there are any number of merchants out there who CLAIM to have spare parts as well as the expertise to service them. They may or not be trustworthy. You're on your own.
Good luck. I'm sure others here can interject as well.
The thing to look out for is if the unit has been worn out by a radio station. Revox A77 and B77 you can still get parts for. The Otari MX50-50 can also still be repaired as well as the Techniks. Some one told me that you could still order one new from Otari. All the Studers A80-A800 as well as the C and J37 can still be repaired. Tim de Paravacini is upgradeing any Studer for a fine price! All Pro Ampex 300, 351, MR70, AG300, AG440C, ATR100 are all built like battle ships and all the parts are standard and there are many parts avaliable. I'd stay away from Scully because not that many were sold unless you just luck out. But putting a pro grade machine back into operation can be very expensive. I'd also stay away from 3M M56; outstanding deck but very complicated and also not that many were sold. Heads are not cheap for any pro grade machine (a grand each and there are three heads). Heads wear out rather fast especially if the machine has been used at 15 or 30 ips or at a radio station. Ray Hughes
"I take you as you are
And make of you what I will,
Skunk-bear, carcajou, bloodthirsty
Non-survivor.
Lord, let me die but not die out." THE LAST WOLVERINE by James Dickey
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