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Ampex Model 1100 deck....how good?

Fishead

Fishead

Gone fishin' Steada just wishin'
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Ampex Series 1100 deck....how good are they?

I have an old Ampex Series 1100 reel to reel deck that was my father's. I'm wondering how these compare to others in sound quality and how collectible/valuable they are? This deck is in mint condition and has very little play time on it. He always preferred it to the larger Teac that he picked up later....just wondering?

OK, have received no replies so thought a picture might help. It is the 1100 series, which may not refer to the precise model number and I don't have the deck here to inspect. It looks just like the one in this picture.

Anyone know anything about it? I'll be traveling to KY where it is in a week and would like to have some input. There are a number of tapes that he made with it and I would like to try to listen to them but am cautious about just firing it up. Any suggestions on how to go about it would be appreciated as well as comments regarding if there is any demand for such older decks.

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Thanks in advance.
 
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No responses, thought I would add a picture and a few more descriptive comments. Would appreciate some feedback. Thanks!
 
Well I guess I'll chime in here. I have the 8700 series Ampex. I bought it on ebay never used it said. It worked pretty good but had a hum. While taking it apart I found out all the plastic pieces were so brittle that they cracked or broke. It was so bad that I ended up just putting it back in a box where it is today. That was the only thing wrong with those Ampex's that I've found.
 
Hello…Go to Tapeheads.net You will have to become a member but it's fast and free. Click in the reel to reel section and start a new thread about your RTR, ask your question(s) and you'll get replys. Fritz
 
Downsides with these machines are:

Single motor, dual capstan
One motor
Auto Reverse which is different than the normal means
Many belts, pain in the rear end to change
Consumer grade SS Ampex
Not suited for recording on modern super tapes
Parts getting more difficult to find
Quirky

These machines in good order are nice, but not heavy duty and tend to be quirky. And not repair technician friendly. They are USA made, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. And when working well sound great, and have low flutter at slow speeds.
 
Thank you all for your comments. Sounds like age might indeed be a factor with this deck and I'll have to take a look inside first to make sure nothing is disintegrated. I remember Dad replacing the belts after a few years and knowing him, there will be some spares in a box or envelope somewhere in the cabinet where he stored such stuff....thanks again.
 
And do remember, these decks are collected and loved by Ampex fans, and are USA made and generally great sounding. I think, that it is worth love and preservation and use.
 
I have one of these with the "Magic Slot" take up reel. It can be used with a regular take up reel by removing the cover and reel. Look for the accessory spindle that makes that possible. Mine has a loud hum, but works. I will be trying to fix it (probably electrolytic capacitors). That is a next winter project. I'd recommend you pick it up, if just for nostalgic reasons and see if you can get her singing. Have fun.
 
I have a couple of these, one since the 70's. I agree with Kent's assessment. They're fun but quirky. Pita to change belts. My older one plays slightly off speed. The neatest thing IMO was the toned autoreverse vs using shiny tape.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
And do remember, these decks are collected and loved by Ampex fans, and are USA made and generally great sounding. I think, that it is worth love and preservation and use.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Kent.....I think I may try to find someone to love it and use it since I'm already overloaded with gear including a nice Teac X1000R that I will play his old recordings on....that means just mailing those (or putting them in my suitcase) here rather than the deck as well. Thanks for all the helpful insights and comments!
 
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When I wasn't installing sound systems or repairing them. I repaired Tape-athons, Ampexes, All types and Revoxs mostly. I could tear apart a consumer model Ampex and replace all the belts tires and clutch pads, disassemble clean and lube the motor, re assemble, remove the head stack and clean, align the heads and calibrate in less than an hour. Out of over 500 I serviced only one didn't meet specs due to a bad coupling cap. Never had a bad head, but had bad controls, switches. Ampex belts turned to goo so I used PRB belts and rollers. Always used Ampex clutch pads. They had very low wow and Flutter and The SS decks worked great with HO Maxell Tape. The F-4460 and its mates gave me the most problems, including my own. I put half track stereo heads in mine with a 1/4 track stereo play head with a head alignment shifter. I had to change a few caps after the unit had its initial break in to correct for a rise in HF output. All Ampexs could put more signal tape than one would suspect. And take the signal off with little distortion if the machine was calibrated properly. with + 6db being at the 3% distortion point.
 
PS their 3 3/4 ips performance was miserable, However. My Ag 500, 300 with 2 sets of 354 electronics, and AG 400 C were great performers. The Ag 350 and 351 were not quite so. My favorite was a MR-70 I used at work, Only got to play with ATR 100's on display.
 
Thanks for all that info, twiii. Turns out I have 2 of them, one was used for a backup and spare parts but my Dad never touched it. I think it was a 2000 series model. I was not able to transport these yet to my home in NM, but did grab one of the tapes he made in ca. 1966 that was entirely recorded from German FM.....WOW! Not sure what they used for source material, whether LPs or pre-recorded tape, but one thing is for certain.....nothing I have heard on FM over here in the states comes close to the quality of those broadcasts. One track stands out in particular called "Moscow Nights" recorded at 7 1/2 ips. The piano and guitar are quite stunning, even by todays hi-tech standards, and was his favorite. I played it on my Teac X-1000R and it really, really shone! Thanks again for all the useful help....the machines will now likely go to AK bartertown as I have no need for them and would not be very inclined to work on them after reading your kind post!
 
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