hi i have been working on my to decks all the grease goe's hard on all the moving gears never power a akai up first check the gears be wear the old grease is very hard to get of your hands i had to change the cap's as well ace unit once working well
Hi Bob,. I think Akai went a step too far with this GX77 deck and made it too compicated. They tried to cut corners with the motors and electronics and ended up with a service engineers nightmare. All the best. Nick
Sir. I watching you video 3 times. And I could see where is the switch that releases the wheel puller. Can you tell me more detail about how can I reach it? Thank you
Is this easy to do,should I attempt it? I have the schematics ,etc,but I am wondering how deep do I have to get in to this small unit,packed as it is with parts. Thanks again.
Hi Mike The wiring can all be done with just the cover removed. However, you must be methodical and check wiring as you go, and it can take a few hours. There are quite a few wires back and forwards, so use coloured wires and keep them neat and tidy. If you have patience, it will reward you. Let me know if you do it. Nick
I looked at a GX-77 that I want to buy next week. Problem is, it does not work at all. No FF or RRWD, nothing at all. If the pinch roller is not working, does that prevent the reels from turning at all? If it is stuck in the down position for instance? I do not want to pay big dollars for a lemon that cannot be fixed. The fact that the reels do not turn at all is a big worry. When play is pressed, one can feel the motor kick in for half a second and then click off, with no movement. They have a fully working unit as well which I also would like to buy. Depends on how much they want.... They also have a Revox B77 that I want as well, "not working" but I have no idea what constitutes "not working" at the moment. Great video by the way, and very helpful! I just wish I could find a disassembly video. That thing looks like a nightmare.
Hi. Yes the GX-77 is a nightmare to repair. It is over engineered and then cost reduced which makes it unreliable and prone to failure. It looks good, but only takes smaller reels. If you want a true tape experience, and not just a nice looking ornament, then get the B77 which is a proper full sized reel hifi deck. Keep spooling. Nick
@@nickadams5411 Thanks for the reply, Nick! Haha, I really do want the GX-77 for those looks! I would REALLY love a GX-747! Or a RT-909. I almost bought a 747 about 2 years ago for AU$2200 in perfect condition. I really regret not getting it now. The way prices have gone up on the "youtube myth" means I will not get one for that price. Last 909 I saw was AU$2800.... Plus, I doubt there are that many in this country. I more and more am determined to get the B77. It may cost a lot to refurbish (full kit locally=$470, or about $290 from the UK, with a few missing items such as brake strips and pinch rollers), but as long as the heads are good, I know it will be worth it in the end. May also be able to get a TASCAM 32-2 for $500, "working" but untested with tape. I will go for the B77 though as I know it is better, although a 2 track/15ips unit would be fun (and expensive tape wise!) to play with. At least I could still get 2 tracks out of Beatles, Stones, Zombies, Hendrix, The Doors etc mono records. Bet other things would sound awesome at 15ips, too. I am looking forward to seeing if R2R tape really does make digital "sound better". Could it really make the godawful 2012 Abbey Road record sound less like a piece of crap? ;)
old topic but - My loading roller spring broke off as well and I screwed it down like you did but that put too much tension of the loading roller and doesn't turn freely, which causes play to shut off off 6 seconds. Tired putting a washer to lift the spring off the plate a bit and that resolved the play but then affected rewind (rewind might have been affect before in the first test but I didn't check that then) It seems the screw approach for me isn't working. Thoughts?
Got this strange thing...loading cam works great for many times, but all of a sudden, it doesn,t. You have to help manually. Already took it apart and regreased the whole thing. No affect. Anyone a clue?
I think I have found the problem and solution(after such a long time, taking it apart many times). The left flywheel has a spring that had become weak over time.
Hi These GX-77 suffer badly with weak loading mechanism. It can get stuck half way up or down, usually with small spools or half empty ones. It works best with the largest reel size, so do not use small or half empty spools.
If the pinch roller is stuck in the bottom position, does that mean that there is a problem with that cam wheel? Or does it get stuck from grease and such?
Hi. The pinch roller getting stuck is another fault that happens with this model. You will have to turn the wheel, inside at the back, by hand to get it to the release position. This normally happens if you use small diameter reels. All the best. Nick
@@nickadams5411 Thanks Nick! I took the leap and took the non eorking deck apart yesterday. My god, what a pain in the arse! I got the roller to move up by hand, thankfully the spring is still in place. Stupid me did not put it down again though. The loading still did not work when I tested it. I am 100% sure the capstan belt is at fault, it is very stretched and fell off the capstan before I even touched it. The capstan wheels were still in place as well. Because the reels move when the roller is engaged, that is what makes me thing it is the belt. The machine that works has VERY weak winding, even by GX-77 standards. I hope it is not a sign of dying motor.
@@segasonic9117 Hi. Yes, change the belt while it is possible. The motors are brushed type, and could wear out, but first check the voltage applied to them is at least 4.2Volt when off and about 3.5V when On. This is not much voltage and so any drop will make the motor weaker. Check the mains transformer voltage tap. If you are 120V switch to 110V (or 240 to 220), which will give a small boost, but will not blow anything.
Hi Jake. I was lucky to find someone who had stripped one and selling the parts for spares. If you search the internet/ebay, they do come up now and again. Also trashed machines can be quite cheap.. All the best Nick
Have you got a video with the calibration on these decks. I have one in near perfect condition but the old guy who had it before me fiddled a bit and it needs adjustment. Also its doing a strange thing,on record mode,on source left channel is left and right is right,however when you flick the switch to tape,it reverses the channels,left becomes right and right becomes left. I asked him if he fiddled with wires,polarities,etc,but he says no.He only had a guy change the 2 belts inside,maybe he did something. Annoying,have you any advice?? Thanks.
Hi Mike Sorry, not a calibration. The cable from the playback heads to the circuit board, must have been plugged in the wrong way around. Plugs P8 and P10 (4pin plugs next to each other). Near the middle of the large preamp PC board. The Service Manual details calibration. But you do need a tape that has accurate levels recorded on it, (from another calibrated deck is ok). All the best nick
Could you be so kind to email me a photo of that board or give some extra instructions on how to get to it. I am good at getting to anything when it comes to the bigger GX 635. i have 2 of those a silver and a black,the black has the pitch control not working anymore. my email is mikedatrainer@gmail.com Thank you regardless of the outcome of the 2 issues above,as you gave me plenty of info on how to calibrate those 2 Akai decks.
Hi Mike Download the Service manual (Registration and download is free). www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/akai/gx-77.shtmlIt shows the boards and plug positions.
Thanks for the innovation, this slow rolling tape on the GX 77 plagues my unit too...I think I will try It!
Hi Regi
Email me for the diagrams
nick@demonproducts.co.uk
Nick Adams thanks so much!
hi i have been working on my to decks all the grease goe's hard on all the moving gears never power a akai up first check the gears
be wear the old grease is very hard to get of your hands i had to change the cap's as well ace unit once working well
Hi Bob,. I think Akai went a step too far with this GX77 deck and made it too compicated. They tried to cut corners with the motors and electronics and ended up with a service engineers nightmare. All the best. Nick
Sir. I watching you video 3 times. And I could see where is the switch that releases the wheel puller. Can you tell me more detail about how can I reach it? Thank you
Where can I service my Akai go-77 in there place that I can service this idem
Is this easy to do,should I attempt it? I have the schematics ,etc,but I am wondering how deep do I have to get in to this small unit,packed as it is with parts. Thanks again.
Hi Mike
The wiring can all be done with just the cover removed.
However, you must be methodical and check wiring as you go, and it can take a few hours.
There are quite a few wires back and forwards, so use coloured wires and keep them neat and tidy.
If you have patience, it will reward you.
Let me know if you do it.
Nick
GO AHEAD AND TRY I BUY THOSE THAT DONT WORK.THE MORE U MORONS F UP THE MORE I GET TO BUY
I looked at a GX-77 that I want to buy next week. Problem is, it does not work at all. No FF or RRWD, nothing at all. If the pinch roller is not working, does that prevent the reels from turning at all? If it is stuck in the down position for instance? I do not want to pay big dollars for a lemon that cannot be fixed. The fact that the reels do not turn at all is a big worry.
When play is pressed, one can feel the motor kick in for half a second and then click off, with no movement. They have a fully working unit as well which I also would like to buy. Depends on how much they want.... They also have a Revox B77 that I want as well, "not working" but I have no idea what constitutes "not working" at the moment.
Great video by the way, and very helpful! I just wish I could find a disassembly video. That thing looks like a nightmare.
Hi. Yes the GX-77 is a nightmare to repair. It is over engineered and then cost reduced which makes it unreliable and prone to failure. It looks good, but only takes smaller reels.
If you want a true tape experience, and not just a nice looking ornament, then get the B77 which is a proper full sized reel hifi deck. Keep spooling. Nick
@@nickadams5411 Thanks for the reply, Nick!
Haha, I really do want the GX-77 for those looks! I would REALLY love a GX-747! Or a RT-909. I almost bought a 747 about 2 years ago for AU$2200 in perfect condition. I really regret not getting it now. The way prices have gone up on the "youtube myth" means I will not get one for that price. Last 909 I saw was AU$2800.... Plus, I doubt there are that many in this country.
I more and more am determined to get the B77. It may cost a lot to refurbish (full kit locally=$470, or about $290 from the UK, with a few missing items such as brake strips and pinch rollers), but as long as the heads are good, I know it will be worth it in the end.
May also be able to get a TASCAM 32-2 for $500, "working" but untested with tape. I will go for the B77 though as I know it is better, although a 2 track/15ips unit would be fun (and expensive tape wise!) to play with. At least I could still get 2 tracks out of Beatles, Stones, Zombies, Hendrix, The Doors etc mono records. Bet other things would sound awesome at 15ips, too.
I am looking forward to seeing if R2R tape really does make digital "sound better". Could it really make the godawful 2012 Abbey Road record sound less like a piece of crap? ;)
So nice. But so many plastic gears. This is a big problem.
old topic but - My loading roller spring broke off as well and I screwed it down like you did but that put too much tension of the loading roller and doesn't turn freely, which causes play to shut off off 6 seconds. Tired putting a washer to lift the spring off the plate a bit and that resolved the play but then affected rewind (rewind might have been affect before in the first test but I didn't check that then) It seems the screw approach for me isn't working. Thoughts?
Got this strange thing...loading cam works great for many times, but all of a sudden, it doesn,t. You have to help manually. Already took it apart and regreased the whole thing. No affect. Anyone a clue?
I think I have found the problem and solution(after such a long time, taking it apart many times). The left flywheel has a spring that had become weak over time.
Hi. I have one of these and the problem is the loading cam always gets stuck ontop. Any advice you can shed on how to resolve this please?
Hi
These GX-77 suffer badly with weak loading mechanism.
It can get stuck half way up or down, usually with small spools or half empty ones.
It works best with the largest reel size, so do not use small or half empty spools.
If the pinch roller is stuck in the bottom position, does that mean that there is a problem with that cam wheel? Or does it get stuck from grease and such?
Hi. The pinch roller getting stuck is another fault that happens with this model.
You will have to turn the wheel, inside at the back, by hand to get it to the release position.
This normally happens if you use small diameter reels.
All the best. Nick
@@nickadams5411 Thanks Nick! I am probably CRAZY, but I am buying 2 GX-77 decks today. One working, one with stuck pinch roller. Please wish me luck!
@@segasonic9117 Hi. Let me know how you get on. Anything you fix and how. Good luck. Nick
@@nickadams5411 Thanks Nick!
I took the leap and took the non eorking deck apart yesterday. My god, what a pain in the arse! I got the roller to move up by hand, thankfully the spring is still in place. Stupid me did not put it down again though. The loading still did not work when I tested it. I am 100% sure the capstan belt is at fault, it is very stretched and fell off the capstan before I even touched it. The capstan wheels were still in place as well. Because the reels move when the roller is engaged, that is what makes me thing it is the belt.
The machine that works has VERY weak winding, even by GX-77 standards. I hope it is not a sign of dying motor.
@@segasonic9117 Hi. Yes, change the belt while it is possible. The motors are brushed type, and could wear out, but first check the voltage applied to them is at least 4.2Volt when off and about 3.5V when On. This is not much voltage and so any drop will make the motor weaker. Check the mains transformer voltage tap. If you are 120V switch to 110V (or 240 to 220), which will give a small boost, but will not blow anything.
Where did you get the loading cam for replacement ? Mine was broken too as same as yours
Hi Jake. I was lucky to find someone who had stripped one and selling the parts for spares. If you search the internet/ebay, they do come up now and again. Also trashed machines can be quite cheap.. All the best Nick
Have you got a video with the calibration on these decks. I have one in near perfect condition but the old guy who had it before me fiddled a bit and it needs adjustment. Also its doing a strange thing,on record mode,on source left channel is left and right is right,however when you flick the switch to tape,it reverses the channels,left becomes right and right becomes left. I asked him if he fiddled with wires,polarities,etc,but he says no.He only had a guy change the 2 belts inside,maybe he did something. Annoying,have you any advice?? Thanks.
Hi Mike
Sorry, not a calibration.
The cable from the playback heads to the circuit board, must have been plugged in the wrong way around. Plugs P8 and P10 (4pin plugs next to each other). Near the middle of the large preamp PC board.
The Service Manual details calibration.
But you do need a tape that has accurate levels recorded on it, (from another calibrated deck is ok).
All the best
nick
Of course he did when he replaced the belts this know all guy who desperately wanted to work on this deck.
Thanks for that.
Could you be so kind to email me a photo of that board or give some extra instructions on how to get to it. I am good at getting to anything when it comes to the bigger GX 635. i have 2 of those a silver and a black,the black has the pitch control not working anymore. my email is mikedatrainer@gmail.com Thank you regardless of the outcome of the 2 issues above,as you gave me plenty of info on how to calibrate those 2 Akai decks.
Hi Mike
Download the Service manual (Registration and
download is free).
www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/akai/gx-77.shtmlIt shows the boards and plug positions.