NOS Reel to Reel

[silsila]

Hi all,
I hope this is the right place for this question!
I’ve got the chance of buying a (tested working) reel to reel that was made in 1990 and has never been used.
Is it just a given that I will need to replace all the electrolytic capacitors or could they be ok considering that they have no wear?

 

[C.B. - Boudio]

I think it is possible to use it, but you might want to swap them for best performance. Shelf wear is really a thing, and the capacitors may even be worse than those from a regularly mildly used version.

 

[silsila]

I think it is possible to use it, but you might want to swap them for best performance. Shelf wear is really a thing, and the capacitors may even be worse than those from a regularly mildly used version.

Ok, thanks for that quick reply! It hadn’t occurred to me that lightly used may actually be better.

 

[RoadrunnerOZ]

If you’re able to test before buying it would be a good idea - depending on the machine location and whether you have a signal generator and a scope and can run some basic record/playback tests. If the machine is not local to you, get the seller to turn it on and run some basic recording tests and send you a video of that.
Periodic power-on of a machine if it’s going to be stored is a good idea.
Shelf life on an electrolytic capacitor varies from different manufacturers but if they have been unused for 34 years they may suffer catastrophic failure if subjected immediately to normal operating voltages having never been charged over that time. Capacitors that have lain unused for many years can be reformed by a gradual supplication of voltage but for this they’d need to be out of circuit - in the case of the machine you’re looking at this is not possible.
However you say it’s working/tested so I’d be asking for confirmation before purchase. Especially having it turned on and left running for a couple of hours.

 

[ubxf]

With a tape machine besides the electronic there is also mechanical maintenance to be aware of. Capstan rollers can crack stick or other things might need attention especially if it's been sitting unused.

 

[silsila]

With a tape machine besides the electronic there is also mechanical maintenance to be aware of. Capstan rollers can crack stick or other things might need attention especially if it's been sitting unused.

Yeah, I was thinking of that too. I know new rollers etc for that machine are available but yeah, I want to spend more time using it than servicing it! I’ve found a used one now, for a bit more cash that has had a recent service, I think I’ll go that route. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Doug_Iowa]

Why would a reel-to-reel machine be left unused since 1990? I would ask the question of the present owner because if it was a decent machine, who would purchase it and then not ever use it? I suspect it may be normally used, kept in excellent cosmetic condition, and then was re-packed in its original packaging. Look over the heads. (Or get nice clear photos that give you a good visualization of the head gaps, tape guides, and surrounding areas.) Make sure the heads are as virginal as a new one would be. If you see wear marks across the heads and/or tape guides, then you know for sure that it is not new-old-stock. You can't hide this wear on a reel-to-reel machine. If the seller is telling a fib on that matter, what else might be covered up? This kind of knowledge can give you a price negotiating edge if not more insight.

I own two Akai and one older Roberts (brand) consumer-grade reel-to-reel tape decks and use them. I've used Sony and Revox machines in contexts such as a church sound operator. (I'm 69 years old--I'm from the heyday era of these machines.) As a volunteer, I "triage" donations of electronics given to a thrift store. I've seen a few R-to-R machines come through including a very nice (and heavy) Pioneer three-motor, three-head auto-reverse deck purchased originally in Japan and shipped to the USA by a Vietnam war vet. (I spoke with the former owner. He had the original sales receipt from an army PX store.) Every single one of these machines that came through had worn or stretched or gummy belts and hard pinch rollers. Those with mechanical reel-brake pads had rock-hard leather or felt pads that spilled tape. Expect every rubber, leather, or fabric part to need replacement or at a minimum, adjustment. Make sure you can find suitable parts since most of these machines are now beyond support from their original manufacturers. The hobby interest in these machines is strong, so there are quite suitable after-market options in many cases.

A professional reconditioning of one of these machines is about as expensive as the machine was to purchase in the first place--sometimes even more expensive. All that said, I encourage you onward and I wish you well. Reel-to-reel machines are a unique pleasure!

 

[Barry Hufker]

I have a friend who purchased a beautiful Ampex recorder some years ago and it has sat unused since. There just has never been any client wanting to use it.

 

[k brown]

'Twer I, I would replace the power supply filter caps before even plugging it in; why take the chance.

I have quite a bit of stuff from the '90s and never had an issue (yet) with signal path electros, so chances are good the machine will work fine - but change out those PSU caps first!

I bought a Mackie MS1202 (early '90s) a couple of years ago, just on a lark, and many of the pots made nasty noises. Changing only the PSU filter caps quieted the thing completely.