Hey Guys,
I recently got my hands on a Tascam 85-16B - (16 track, one inch.)
The unit is original and has obviously done a lot of work. ( I didn't pay a lot for it either)
There is obvious wear on the heads - Can anyone advise me in the following;
1. If I do nothing about this - how exactly is the sound compromised by worn heads? Does realignment or recalibration help much in this regard?
2. How do I determine if the heads are too worn for a relap?
If I am correct in assuming that a new head is the same radius above and below the track segments (the part of the head the tape doesn't contact) as it is where the tape runs, I would estimate the wear at around .004" (4 thou.)
Or as another indication, the shiny flat spot down the middle of the head measures about 3.5 mm wide.
Both the erase head and the playback head (and the tape lift pegs) look to be similarly worn. However, the record head looks pretty good. I guess that makes sense. All of them appear to be original.
I have heard of people referring to head condition as "50%" etc. How exactly is this established.
Thanks for your help
Jeremy
I recently got my hands on a Tascam 85-16B - (16 track, one inch.)
The unit is original and has obviously done a lot of work. ( I didn't pay a lot for it either)
There is obvious wear on the heads - Can anyone advise me in the following;
1. If I do nothing about this - how exactly is the sound compromised by worn heads? Does realignment or recalibration help much in this regard?
2. How do I determine if the heads are too worn for a relap?
If I am correct in assuming that a new head is the same radius above and below the track segments (the part of the head the tape doesn't contact) as it is where the tape runs, I would estimate the wear at around .004" (4 thou.)
Or as another indication, the shiny flat spot down the middle of the head measures about 3.5 mm wide.
Both the erase head and the playback head (and the tape lift pegs) look to be similarly worn. However, the record head looks pretty good. I guess that makes sense. All of them appear to be original.
I have heard of people referring to head condition as "50%" etc. How exactly is this established.
Thanks for your help
Jeremy