Akai 4000DS mk2 Reel to Reel problem.

[Fatsiuyau]

Sure do remember Laskys. I think they still exists as an online outfit? Anyway, as a teenager still at High School back then, me and my brother used to pop into the store and drool over the gear on display. The store was pretty dark inside and the display units were all flashing blue green orange were so beautiful

I wished I have vintage gear stored in the loft! Drag the Akai out and have a tinker. Shame to leave it up there hidden away unloved

[Rare Bird]

Laskys used to sell so really good gear back in the 70's. So did Comet back then.

[TCats]

Well climbed into the loft retrieved the 4000DS plugged in found a tape and switched on. Played great for 15 mins then one channel cut out as I found before. Oh well!

Yes Laskys was an alandins cave and a cacophony of sound as many systems were demoed simultaneously. Happy days.

[Rare Bird]

Just post it to our house if you don't want it

[TCats]

You wish, now where is that soldering iron.

[Rare Bird]

Na i don't wish i just want a Third one

[HoraceW]

If you are dropping a channel have a good look at the track selector switch and clean/operate it a few times to check before you do anything else.

Hugh

[Fatsiuyau]

I am no expert but I did managed to open up the front housing of the machine for a quick peep inside and used switch cleaner spray over some contact point in the controls. Wanted to open up the back wooden casing but just have no idea how

[TCats]

Gave all switches a good clean, thanks Hugh, still no RH Channel, machine was on its back.
Lifted it to vertical position and low and behold started to work.
2 hours on still working
There is music on these old tapes I had completely forgotten about.
Now listening to the Dave Brubeck which I recorded in 1973 on Scotch Tape.

[HoraceW]

Interesting about the horizontal and vertical position doing that. Probably should also check the tape/source selector switch and clean/operate a few times. Also good idea to switch between a line in signal and a tape signal to see what happens.

Hugh