Your Reel to Reels - Whatcha got?

[The Black Adder]

What reel to reel deck or decks do you have? Past and present.

Post pics, videos. Let's see em! I'm sure there are some lovely decks so let's get it on.

I will, when I get my camera charged.

[hifi_dave]

At present I have a Ferrograph Series 6 (?), an Akai M8, a Revox F36 and a G36. All working nicely when I last checked.

I'll try to find time tomorrow, to take some pics.



http://http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/007-1.jpg


Found this pic.

[seoirse2002]

Got a Sony TC-730 and a Akai GX-1820D...pics tomorrow:)

[Roy S]

A broken Akai GX-625 :(

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21448

[ehoove]

A Mint Teac 1250 with Dustcover.
Regards,
Jim

[Rare Bird]

O god quite a few but boxed up..I do have another Ferrograph 'Series Seven' i bought a few weeks ago still in the bedroom but needs a bit of work on it & a 1972 Sony 'TC270' in the spare room ive just fitted new belts to, needs the cabinet sorting tho yet. pics tomorrow..

[Alex_UK]

Never owned one, and an itch that I need to scratch at some point in my life - they are just the most gorgeous looking things, especially the 70s ones - but then (IMO) that's true of all hifi - the 70s is where it is at, aesthetically. I mean - come on - R2R's have that most essential ingredient - VU Meters! :)

[hifi_dave]

Meters and lots of knobs and switches. What's not to like..? :D

[Rare Bird]

Never owned one, and an itch that I need to scratch at some point in my life - they are just the most gorgeous looking things, especially the 70s ones - but then (IMO) that's true of all hifi - the 70s is where it is

late 60's/early 70's..Knobs just got smaller by the end of the 70's :eyebrows:

[Beechwoods]

At present I have a Ferrograph Series 6 (?), an Akai M8, a Revox F36 and a G36. All working nicely when I last checked.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/007-1.jpg



Ooh I like that Dave!

Me, well you all know what I've got, Pioneer RT707, Sony TC377, Tandberg TD20A, Nagra IV-S TC, Technics RS-1500, Uher 4000 Report Monitor, and a Uher 4200 Report Monitor :D

There are other machines I'd like but I'm out of space, and like to keep all my machines in use and performing properly.

Interesting to see some other members that I've not spotted before as having reel to reels have them - good on you guys!

[seoirse2002]

Got a Sony TC-730 and a Akai GX-1820D...pics tomorrow:)

Here we go:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=122&pictureid=969

and another:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=122&pictureid=968

[The Black Adder]

At present I have a Ferrograph Series 6 (?), an Akai M8, a Revox F36 and a G36. All working nicely when I last checked

That is a lovely deck Dave... Superb!!

[The Black Adder]

Proper 60's styling going on there George. Very nice kit.

[Audio Al]

My 2 for your eyes only :D


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2001.jpg

and

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2023.jpg



:):)

[Lodgesound]

http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/P1000593.jpg

[Audio Al]

http://http://s582.beta.photobucket.com/user/Lodgesound/media/P1000593.jpg.html?sort=3&o=18



:stalks::stalks::stalks: OMFG !! :stalks::stalks::stalks:

Wowza they are things of beauty I am in LOVE :D:D

[Lodgesound]

A few of my machines in daily use....


http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/P1000593.jpg


http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/NagraD1.jpg


http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/MTR12_1.jpg


http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/MTR12_2.jpg

[The Black Adder]

Blimey Stewart..

THE MOTHER LOAD!

[Patrick Dixon]

I think that should be 'lode' ...

[Alex_UK]

I think that should be 'lode' ...

Joe had Kleenex with him, so he might have been right the first time... :lol:

[The Black Adder]

why... please excuse my spelling kind sirs. lol

[Rare Bird]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2023.jpg



Ok here's one i bought very cheaply but find i use it a lot..I got it looking as mint as i can..

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/TC270.jpg

[Plato]

Akai 1720L - still works, though wife keeps telling me to get rid of it!!

Plato

[Rare Bird]

Here's one of three Ferrograph Series Sevens:'704' (Quarter Track/No Power Amp) i own, I've just finished installing new Idlers & Pinch Roller + a NOS head block..All's left to be done are the cosmetics..

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/S7702.jpg

[The Black Adder]

Finally.. Ere is my Black RT-909

Heads re-lapped and aligned by JRF Magnetics
All black panels, tension arms, knobs, buttons etc made in Switzerland and head block re-made by same factory as Burmester. All a perfect finish.
Re-made tape guides on tension arms.
Capstan Damper (no more KLUNK) - very slick
Remote control fitted
Relays cleaned / Serviced

A real labor of love... It took bloody ages to do but I got there.

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/BLACK%20RT-909/DSC06578.jpg

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/BLACK%20RT-909/DSC06579.jpg

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/BLACK%20RT-909/DSC06586.jpg

[Rare Bird]

well done Joe..

[The Black Adder]

well done Joe..

Cheers dude... :)

[Lodgesound]

A beautiful example of an RT 909 Lord Blackadder....

[Lodgesound]

I recently added this one for making masters for clients......


http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/APR5003.jpg

[Marco]

Stop it, you're making me moist! :drool:

Marco.

[The Black Adder]

I recently added this one for making masters for clients......


http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/APR5003.jpg

FWWOOOOORE! Where's the Swarfega? lol

[Rare Bird]

Pro machines arnt allowed :booty:

[Jonboy]

I can't compete with some of you but heres mine a good old Revox B77 i bought it a year or two ago boxed complete with most if not all its factory bits pieces and is very clean, allegedly one owner from new who only used it for 9 hrs, there is no wear or tape risidue on anything just a bit dusty here and there.




http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp272/jonboy_01/DSC_0530.jpg

[Rare Bird]

Gis that metal Spool :eyebrows:

[The Black Adder]

That's a very nice deck Jon... One of those were on my list when I was looking for one. Boxed too... Jammy bugger! :eyebrows: :eek:

[Barry]

Ferrograph 632(T) two-track

http://www.schimmel.talktalk.net/tape/632.jpg

and a Nagra IV-S two-track.

http://likecool.com/Gear/MediaPlayer/Nagra%20IV-S%20Professional%20Tape%20Recorder/Nagra-IV-S-Professional-Tape-Recorder.jpg

[Jonboy]

It's yours if you want it Andr'e mate as its an odd one, the hub is plastic though, i have a pair still for me so its no problem

[Rare Bird]

Barry:
Fancy a Vortexion CBL series 6? I'd absolutly love the Vortexion CBL series seven

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/CBL7-1.jpg

[Jonboy]

That's a very nice deck Jon... One of those were on my list when I was looking for one. Boxed too... Jammy bugger! :eyebrows: :eek:


I have dragged Keb mo onto it straight from the computer, sounds really nice i like the way it takes that digital sharpness or spikiness off the recordings if you know what i mean

[Rare Bird]

It's yours if you want it Andr'e mate as its an odd one, the hub is plastic though, i have a pair still for me so its no problem



Yeh you could get the plastic hub in both 7'' & the 8.25'' reels

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/PlasticHobs.jpg

Below: a reel with hub lock (for machine with no reel retainers) & a plain no lock, i have loads of others somewhere..

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/Standard.jpg

[Jonboy]

its an 8.25 and i have just found the Ferrograph box for it the same as yours,

now you lot stop distracting me as i have really got to get on with my paperwork :lol:

[macvisual]

WOW guys, I'm loving this Reel2Reel thread so much, great reading about them and seeing photo's posted, superb.

I've never owned one but really fancy trying to get one, I don't know where to start.


Any advice welcome, thanks!

[Beechwoods]

Finally.. Ere is my Black RT-909

Heads re-lapped and aligned by JRF Magnetics
All black panels, tension arms, knobs, buttons etc made in Switzerland and head block re-made by same factory as Burmester. All a perfect finish.
Re-made tape guides on tension arms.
Capstan Damper (no more KLUNK) - very slick
Remote control fitted
Relays cleaned / Serviced

A real labor of love... It bloody took ages to do but I got there.



Joe, you are very jammy. I'd say lucky, but I know luck doesn't come into it. You have to work for it.

I'd read about the very limited edition Swiss 'reworking' of the 909 into Black. But seeing your pictures, it's impeccable. The remote is a fantastic thing, given the 909 / 707 never had a wired remote even so the whole thing needed to be worked into the main boards. And the IR receiver is behind the fluoro VU I guess? And based on my experience of the 707, a capstan damper is a very understandable and necessary thing!

Really really impressed. I'd like to do a similar full workover for my RS1500 but don't know of people in the UK who would pick up such a significant piece of work (I'd like to ditch the current electronics and get a custom headamp in there, plus upgrade some bits of the transport along 'Bottlehead' lines).

Transporting the machine overseas or anywhere for that matter is a recipe for disaster in my experience. How did you do it?

[The Black Adder]

Joe, you are very jammy. I'd say lucky, but I know luck doesn't come into it. You have to work for it.

I'd read about the very limited edition Swiss 'reworking' of the 909 into Black. But seeing your pictures, it's impeccable. The remote is a fantastic thing, given the 909 / 707 never had a wired remote even so the whole thing needed to be worked into the main boards. And the IR receiver is behind the fluoro VU I guess? And based on my experience of the 707, a capstan damper is a very understandable and necessary thing!

Really really impressed. I'd like to do a similar full workover for my RS1500 but don't know of people in the UK who would pick up such a significant piece of work (I'd like to ditch the current electronics and get a custom headamp in there, plus upgrade some bits of the transport along 'Bottlehead' lines).

Transporting the machine overseas or anywhere for that matter is a recipe for disaster in my experience. How did you do it?

Hi Nick.

Many thanks matey.

The damper as you said is indeed a necessary addition. The problem with RT-909 is that it sounded like a brick when the Solenoid took up and dropped the guides. Now the deck is like a top end cassette player. I'll do a video of it soon so you can see. It's almost silent and trick as you like.

Yeah, the IR is behind the Fluoro. The actual workings of the remote is actually incredibly easy to fit (if you know what you are doing) as it just fits against the micro switch contacts, minimal soldering needed.

If you have read about the Swiss version you may know that they are rather expensive as only a set amount were made simply because it's so expensive to get done. I did everything with the magnificent help from Vlad. The damper is actually made by Vlad, milled properly for an absolute perfect fit.

If you want to see some pics of the work progress PM me.

For conversion of another machine I can certainly give you Vlads contact details. He might be able to give you some information on who can help.

As for the work involved. It was meticulously executed and it took a long time to do but really worth it.. I'm well proud of it.

Let me know if you want any info.

[Alex_UK]

Your 909 is even more impressive after reading all that - respect, Joe. :)

[RobHolt]

Revox B77

Rob

[SquireC]

Got a Sony 377, which I've had from new.
Also a Revox B77 MK11.

Both need servicing unfortunately. Very rarely used these days.

[MikeMusic]

I have a few as that was my main listening and recording intrument for some years
Akai 4000DB
Akai GX265
Akai M8
Revox G36 half track
Revox G36 quarter track
2x Revox B77
Revox F36 (I think)
Teac quarter track

4 above were donated by people getting rid
Must remember to run the working ones regularly and run the many tapes I have to stop print through

[tommy6206]

Only 4 lol
Tascam 34
Akai 4000ds x2
Sony cant remember the model number

[Rare Bird]

I have a few as that was my main listening and recording intrument for some years
Akai 4000DB
Akai GX265
Akai M8
Revox G36 half track
Revox G36 quarter track
2x Revox B77
Revox F36 (I think)
Teac quarter track

4 above were donated by people getting rid
Must remember to run the working ones regularly and run the many tapes I have to stop print through

You can donate of of those 'G36' to me :eyebrows:

[MikeMusic]

You can donate of of those 'G36' to me :eyebrows:

Oh nonononono
:D

The wonderful fat, rich sound I get from the Gs is just fabulous
I have many quarter and half track tapes so need both

No tried in the current and ever improving system for some long time now.
May come as a horrible shock

[macvisual]

I'm giving thought about buying a Revox B77 MkII in good condition, it's a 2-track model with both 7.5 & 15ips speeds. It comes with two Maxell 10 & a half inch tapes/spools etc...
I know NOTHING about reel2reel, this chap is asking £350 for it, collection only of course. Owner said there's about 3mm left on the heads and would probably last another 10yrs etc, (I don't know)? Is this right? Any advice most welcome!

Should I take a punt and go for it? Can the Revox B77 MkII be serviced by anyone within the U.K.? Brian Reeves etc.........? Or anyone suggest anyone else please? Are servicing cost within reason etc?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a reel-2-reel virgin!

[Rare Bird]

Oh nonononono
:D

The wonderful fat, rich sound I get from the Gs is just fabulous
I have many quarter and half track tapes so need both




But but that's just being gredy having two :rfl:

[The Black Adder]

I'm giving thought about buying a Revox B77 MkII in good condition, it's a 2-track model with both 7.5 & 15ips speeds. It comes with two Maxell 10 & a half inch tapes/spools etc...
I know NOTHING about reel2reel, this chap is asking £350 for it, collection only of course. Owner said there's about 3mm left on the heads and would probably last another 10yrs etc, (I don't know)? Is this right? Any advice most welcome!

Should I take a punt and go for it? Can the Revox B77 MkII be serviced by anyone within the U.K.? Brian Reeves etc.........? Or anyone suggest anyone else please? Are servicing cost within reason etc?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a reel-2-reel virgin!

Good choice... Yes, Servicesound will service it for you. :) The heads sound fine... It will probably last you longer than 10 years. Re-lapping isn't a problem, Geoff at Servicesound can re-lapp heads anyway.

I think.. you will have to check but I think Geoff does a service for about £150.

£300 to £350 sounds reasonable so long as it's in good shape.

[Sonority]

Considering the site in use - i'm amazed no-one has mentioned the venerable techie yet?

http://www.j-corder.com/

Have spent a good few hours in front of these a while back, and would love to own one.

[The Black Adder]

Yeah... he does some nice stuff but I have to say that the RT-909 he has done looks bloody awful... a proper cheesy half arsed job imo... And the price...!! No way!

[Beechwoods]

Considering the site in use - i'm amazed no-one has mentioned the venerable techie yet?

http://www.j-corder.com/

Have spent a good few hours in front of these a while back, and would love to own one.

:) I did :lol: I've got a lovely RS1500, not j-cordered, but I'd like to do some work to get it to a 'custom' spec level a la Bottlehead.



I'm giving thought about buying a Revox B77 MkII in good condition, it's a 2-track model with both 7.5 & 15ips speeds. It comes with two Maxell 10 & a half inch tapes/spools etc...
I know NOTHING about reel2reel, this chap is asking £350 for it, collection only of course. Owner said there's about 3mm left on the heads and would probably last another 10yrs etc, (I don't know)? Is this right? Any advice most welcome!

Should I take a punt and go for it? Can the Revox B77 MkII be serviced by anyone within the U.K.? Brian Reeves etc.........? Or anyone suggest anyone else please? Are servicing cost within reason etc?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a reel-2-reel virgin!

As Joe says, you can't go too wrong with a B77 -- up your end of the world Brian Reeves would be a fine person to look at it. A service is essential when taking on a new reel to reel. I have used Servicesound and Geoff comes highly recommended, but Brian is closer to you and specialises in Revox gear.

Given what you want it for (per your PM) -- doing your own recordings to tape, a 2-track machine would be best. If you want to get into playing old pre-recorded, commercially released tapes, then 4-track is sensible, but for your own recordings you will get better sounding results with a 2-track :)

[MikeMusic]

I'm giving thought about buying a Revox B77 MkII in good condition, it's a 2-track model with both 7.5 & 15ips speeds. It comes with two Maxell 10 & a half inch tapes/spools etc...
I know NOTHING about reel2reel, this chap is asking £350 for it, collection only of course. Owner said there's about 3mm left on the heads and would probably last another 10yrs etc, (I don't know)? Is this right? Any advice most welcome!

Should I take a punt and go for it? Can the Revox B77 MkII be serviced by anyone within the U.K.? Brian Reeves etc.........? Or anyone suggest anyone else please? Are servicing cost within reason etc?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a reel-2-reel virgin!
Do you want 2 track with 7.5 and 15 ?
Completed on Ebay suggests £350 could be high
How far would you have to travel ?
How much might a service would cost ?

[nat8808]

I've a Tandberg TDA20SE and Studer B67 (needs work).

[The Black Adder]

Any pics Nat, Dave, Mike and Gary?

[MikeMusic]

Any pics Nat, Dave, Mike and Gary?
I seem to have a barrier taking photos
Need to make it easier as well as take better photos.
I'll be along with some, don't hold your breath. My one day off tomorrow looks over booked already

[tommy6206]

I'll try sort some pics out

[The Grand Wazoo]

Here's my big one:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/4247/dscf17370.jpg

[Audio Al]

Here's my big one:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/4247/dscf17370.jpg

IT'S so big it wont fit in the picture :stalks::stalks::stalks:

Nice :D

[The Black Adder]

Nice one Chris. Proper VU's too... :)

[Rare Bird]

Hope you don't mind me sayin but that's the only thing i don't like about your machine Joe, no moving coil VU meters me nor playin' :eyebrows:

[The Grand Wazoo]

Meters?
For those who want gratuitous meterage (http://www.greenhomeshop.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=2608), you should have a word with Green Home Dave - be sure to have 20 quid handy though.

[The Black Adder]

Hope you don't mind me sayin but that's the only thing i don't like about your machine Joe, no moving coil VU meters me nor playin' :eyebrows:

lol.. depends which era you want to be in mate.. :eyebrows:

I have a soft spot for VU's though! :)

[Sonority]

You may enjoy this site - a friend just pointed me here so I have yet to read it.
He heard the results over the weekend and was very impressed..

http://www.endlessanalog.com/what-is-clasp

[Rare Bird]

I have a soft spot for VU's though! :)

I get an hard spot for em :eyebrows:

[The Black Adder]

Just thought I'd post a vid of my Black RT-909 in operation. Please excuse the quality, it was done on my phone.

naqAXFj-GV8

Enjoy! If ya like this sort of thing... lol

And a pic... :)

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/909/Black%20PIONEER%20RT-909/DSC06579-1.jpg (http://s457.photobucket.com/user/musical_submarine/media/909/Black%20PIONEER%20RT-909/DSC06579-1.jpg.html)

[Beechwoods]

Gorgeous... Truly one of the best looking decks ever!

[The Black Adder]

Cheers matey.. Yep, it's really quite stunning to look at. Sounds equally as good.

[WOStantonCS100]

Gorgeous... Truly one of the best looking decks ever!

+1

[WOStantonCS100]

Here's one of mine. I can't believe this (crappy) vid is almost 2 years old, already. (I hadn't even gotten proper hub adapters, yet.) With the exception of the Techy, most all the boxes have been swapped or moved around. In fact, none of my reels are in use at the moment. I am sorely tempted to press one back into service.

JRL9a3oFFuw

[The Black Adder]

Do it man... Thats a superb deck and looks uber cool. VU's too... mmm! :)

[Mike - H]

Fabulous looking unit :stalks: What are the music versions?

[Lodgesound]

My largest & most complex machine.........


BaskWmXaDvc

[TheMooN]

Me, well you all know what I've got, Pioneer RT707, Sony TC377, Tandberg TD20A, Nagra IV-S TC, Technics RS-1500, :D



Nick , I would be most interested in your thoughts upon the relative audio playback qualities of your Nagra IV-S TC and Technics RS-1500 ?
I have the latter and am considering ( once again) acquiring an IV-S (time code non requisite ) as an reduced footprint alternative .
TVM.

[Beechwoods]

Hi Roger. I'll drop you some thoughts! Apologies I'd not replied to your PM - been a bit swamped with things of late!

ATB

[TheMooN]

No worries Nick , I look forward to your insight when you have a moment .

[Lodgesound]

I own both an RS 1500 and a Nagra IV-S TC.

The Technics is a nice machine mechanically however the Nagra completely trounces it both electronically and in terms of transport stability - remember the Nagra was designed as one of the finest - if not the finest - analogue field tape recorder ever produced. Unmodified the Technics machines have an inherently noisy replay stage.

Even without the use of Dolby A or SR noise reduction the Nagra is an incredible machine with a sound quality that is very hard to beat in the tape machine world. It's only caveat is the size of reels it will handle although you can get the QGB large reel adaptor for it for around £3000 - £5000 depending on condition.

[Barry]

I own both an RS 1500 and a Nagra IV-S TC.

The Technics is a nice machine mechanically however the Nagra completely trounces it both electronically and in terms of transport stability - remember the Nagra was designed as one of the finest - if not the finest - analogue field tape recorder ever produced. Unmodified the Technics machines have an inherently noisy replay stage.

Even without the use of Dolby A or SR noise reduction the Nagra is an incredible machine with a sound quality that is very hard to beat in the tape machine world. It's only caveat is the size of reels it will handle although you can get the QGB large reel adaptor for it for around £3000 - £5000 depending on condition.

Agree wholehartedly about the Nagra IV-S, however the provision of time code means the audio heads are narrower, so reducing the S/N figure by 2dB.

The use of the QGB large reel adaptors is a bit of a curate's egg: the whole combination is clumbersome and not very portable. If you have £3000 -£5000 to spend, far better to spend it on a Studer machine in good condition.

[TheMooN]

Thank you for your thoughts Gentlemen :)