Many different paths one could take to find the loss of signal. Interesting how different techs will use different methods, but as long as you get results, then that works for you. I have a Sony TC-399 reel to reel that has developed gain noise in the front end. Finding transistor replacements for ones not made anymore is the hardest part. Got the schematic off of hifiengine.
That TC-399 is a sweet looking deck. You are so right also, imagine how easy fixing this gear would be if we could still call up a vendor and get genuine OEM transistors and parts.
Nice video, spot on fix at the playback circuit. I have the older brother GX-210D (74-75) with all the mechanical switches and just three heads. Back then Akai engineered some complex way to do the autoreverse - moving the head back and forth; and engage the muting circuit for about 10 seconds to get the revs settled down. Cheers, Ognyan
I acquired an old 15 ips 2 track tails out studio master tape at a thrift store. I played it on my Technics RS-1506 and the tape shed was so bad it clogged the heads worse than this one. Looked like peanut butter all over the heads and was squealing like a banshee. The glue, or binder turns into a sticky goo, mixed with the iron oxide. The only way to play the tape is to bake it in an oven at 200 degrees for a few hours. You only get one pass of the tape to make a copy, then it is spent.
I believe Tom Scholz of Boston wrote something along those lines concerning the tapes of when the Third Stage album was finally getting released, My question is how much longer till my video tapes develop this or will they?
A real professional fix - a joy to watch with Steely Dan now sounding great - Well Done Sir !!
Thanks so much John.
Thank you so much, I just replaced the same six transistors in an otherwise mint condition Gx-255 I couldn’t have done it without you!
Nice channel separation for the instruments , and the vocals in the center. I like the bass in the center backing the vocals.
Hi a big fat thank you from Berlin Germany for your video it helped me to repair my GX 255
Haha, ich habe auch eine in Berlin stehen...
Many different paths one could take to find the loss of signal. Interesting how different techs will use different methods, but as long as you get results, then that works for you.
I have a Sony TC-399 reel to reel that has developed gain noise in the front end. Finding transistor replacements for ones not made anymore is the hardest part. Got the schematic off of hifiengine.
That TC-399 is a sweet looking deck. You are so right also, imagine how easy fixing this gear would be if we could still call up a vendor and get genuine OEM transistors and parts.
Nice video, spot on fix at the playback circuit. I have the older brother GX-210D (74-75) with all the mechanical switches and just three heads. Back then Akai engineered some complex way to do the autoreverse - moving the head back and forth; and engage the muting circuit for about 10 seconds to get the revs settled down. Cheers, Ognyan
Ognyan, thanks for checking out the video and you are right, early auto reverse reel decks did use some overly complicated ways to switch directions.
Fantastic video!!!! Very thorough and detailed....Wonderfully done!!!
Leo, thanks for checking out the video and the kind words!
Hi Mark, beautiful machine and very very good job like ever!
thanks very much!
I acquired an old 15 ips 2 track tails out studio master tape at a thrift store. I played it on my Technics RS-1506 and the tape shed was so bad it clogged the heads worse than this one. Looked like peanut butter all over the heads and was squealing like a banshee. The glue, or binder turns into a sticky goo, mixed with the iron oxide.
The only way to play the tape is to bake it in an oven at 200 degrees for a few hours. You only get one pass of the tape to make a copy, then it is spent.
I believe Tom Scholz of Boston wrote something along those lines concerning the tapes of when the Third Stage album was finally getting released, My question is how much longer till my video tapes develop this or will they?
love your music !
Your voice is like in 2001 Odissey movie.
I dont think ive seen it, ill have to check it out.
THx! U da MAN !
Randal, thanks for watching man!
Randal, thanks for watching man!
Would 99.9% IPA not have been better to remove the grunge?
Sure, alcohol would have also been fine to use.
"...especially since it says play back head" hahahahahaa... to funny man. Nice job, gotta wonder why you don't use your scope??
Greg, Thanks for checking out the video, I've never been a scope guy for audio troubleshooting but I use it 90% of the time for video work.
I need my Reel to Reel. Repair
Tape is wrongly threaded!!!
Not according to Akai : www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/akai/gx-255.shtml