General question concerning reel to reels

[bsco]

I am getting calls about reel to reels..I have done some work on them in the past...but I never did have any alignment tapes....As long as they are recording and playing back on the same machine should be fine...But if I wanted to get an alignment tape, where do I find one or.....what about making my own?? We are talking 4 track here at the moment....Also do different brands of tape machines use different alignment tapes for specific
manufactures or does one alignment tape fit all?????
Cheers.....

[g1]

When I was doing some reel to reel, we used MRL test tapes. They are aftermarket type and were much cheaper than the actual manufacturers tapes (fostex, teac, etc.).
You could make your own if you had a very well calibrated machine, but you can't really get a machine to be that well calibrated without first having a test tape .
MRL info here: http://home.comcast.net/~mrltapes/choo&u.pdf
and here is their web page: MRL Calibration Tapes

[Leo_Gnardo]

You could make your own if you had a very well calibrated machine, but you can't really get a machine to be that well calibrated without first having a test tape

Good info g-one! I used to tackle tape recorders, anything from the crappiest up to 24 track. Without a proper MRL test tape, you'd be chasing your tail. I have a couple old 1/4 and 1/2 inch reels, I expect they're long out of calibration due to age @ 30+ years. Cassette cal tapes too, what a hassle. I spent lots of money on the cal tapes, and in the end spent way too many hours making way too little money on the effort. Tape recorders, these days, a labor of love. Tough way to make a living, or any part of it.

Besides cal tapes, you gotta have drive belts, capstans, any other parts made from rubber or rubbery stuff likely to be at the end of its service life. You can try, but "rubber reconditioner" doesn't fix everything, besides it stinks like it's going to take years off your life. Put it this way, I have a plastic bottle of the stuff. I stinks so bad, I keep that plastic bottle tightly sealed inside an old pickle jar, so I don't retch every time I walk past my Fibber Magee closet.

Finally, no support from practically every manufacturer. I think TEAC got rid of all their tape machine support parts stock over 20 years ago. Other manufacturers, I'm sure it's much the same story. Tracking odds & ends parts bound to be a hassle.

FWIW I have at least 4 TEAC 3340 & 3440 4tr recorders, not a one I can trust to work. Lots of old tapes that should be transferred to digital. Someday...

[Audiotexan]

Without a proper MRL test tape, you'd be chasing your tail. <snip> Cassette cal tapes too, what a hassle. I spent lots of money on the cal tapes, and in the end spent way too many hours making way too little money on the effort. Tape recorders, these days, a labor of love. Tough way to make a living, or any part of it.

Have to agree with both of the above posters.
Alot of investment for what's become (and has been since cd's became the norm) little return. Time consuming, and unless you have the right owner, not worth bothering with *on the whole*. Now, for that extra special customer, who has enough collection/truly appreciates the medium for what it is (usually nostalgia influenced), go for it! Charge what it actually takes you in time as per normal.

Besides cal tapes, you gotta have drive belts, capstans, any other parts made from rubber or rubbery stuff likely to be at the end of its service life. You can try, but "rubber reconditioner" doesn't fix everything, besides it stinks like it's going to take years off your life.

Alot more truth.

Finally, no support from practically every manufacturer. I think TEAC got rid of all their tape machine support parts stock over 20 years ago. Other manufacturers, I'm sure it's much the same story. Tracking odds & ends parts bound to be a hassle.

Yep. OEM parts have long since been NLA. It's mostly flea-bay or the local 'antiques'/flea market/swap meets for parts sourcing these days.

They can be done, and they're satisfying to fix, and listen to (at least IMO), but just pray you don't run into serious issues like: capstan/reel motors, bad solenoids, and heads (especially glass type) worn beyond reasonable/acceptable use. Those are the usual "oh just ^$%#*&% wonderful... >.>" moments IME.

If you get really lucky, it's a belt/cleaning/relube and you're off to the races.

PS: you mention:

We are talking 4 track here at the moment....

Consumer or pro?

[bsco]

Thanks guys for all the advice.....I will check out those links g-one....These decks are for consumer home recording use....I am aware about heads and other mechanical parts such as tape guides....and solenoids, etc....belt replacement and good cleaning and lube are pretty much the norm....anything major won't be getting repaired.............Happy New Year guys and gals.....
Cheers
P.S. the people who do bring me these types of recorders know in advance that certain problems can't be repaired....and that there is a charge to look at the unit...as long as the repairs can be kept below the $350 mark you are probably safe to proceed......and they are playing back on the same machine they record on...it is mainly for home analog recording use......