• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Behold...the gear I got for so cheap

M

MushroomHunt

New Member
picked up two RT-707’s yesterday and a ton of r2r tapes. There’s actually a lot of good music in the lot Jimi Hendrix, Dead concerts, Buffalo Springfield, Jazz, classic rock, etc.
The whole lot including the pioneers was $30
just wanted to show off my score and see if anyone had advice on how to clean up tape heads and the pinch rollers. They both work, but this is my first R2R player and I want to take care of them. One will go with my stereo in the living room the other to my recording studio.
 

Attachments

  • E027E710-1D68-42F1-9FB2-F0562574A696.jpeg
    E027E710-1D68-42F1-9FB2-F0562574A696.jpeg
    154.8 KB · Views: 153
  • 1CAF3988-D444-43C8-8522-990BF5AED8DA.jpeg
    1CAF3988-D444-43C8-8522-990BF5AED8DA.jpeg
    115.8 KB · Views: 144
  • 61C3E328-7DAB-4616-8484-95C3593CD3BA.jpeg
    61C3E328-7DAB-4616-8484-95C3593CD3BA.jpeg
    99.5 KB · Views: 139
Register to hide this ad
Somebody, somewhere is looking out for you. I would buy a lottery ticket.

Were you really lucky & got an Operator Manual - go on tells us you got two! There's two playback heads (one for forward & one for reverse) & one record. I'd suggest Q tips & methylated spirits to clean the heads. I turned my 707 on its back the first time I did this (no mean feat) so that I could see the face of the heads without having to use a mirror. Clean the heads until no more brown appears on the tips. You'll need to use something more abrasive if the heads are corroded. You'll get advice here.

Clean the rollers with a cloth that has been been well rung out having been in soapy water. Again, until there's no brown coming off the cloth. Note the two roll rollers are not the same. The RH is soft (ish) & matt whilst the LH is harder & glossy.

Use Q tips/spirit to clean the guides & any other parts of the tape path.

Mind your back :)
 
palsapal said:
Somebody, somewhere is looking out for you. I would buy a lottery ticket.

Were you really lucky & got an Operator Manual - go on tells us you got two! There's two playback heads (one for forward & one for reverse) & one record. I'd suggest Q tips & methylated spirits to clean the heads. I turned my 707 on its back the first time I did this (no mean feat) so that I could see the face of the heads without having to use a mirror. Clean the heads until no more brown appears on the tips. You'll need to use something more abrasive if the heads are corroded. You'll get advice here.

Clean the rollers with a cloth that has been been well rung out having been in soapy water. Again, until there's no brown coming off the cloth. Note the two roll rollers are not the same. The RH is soft (ish) & matt whilst the LH is harder & glossy.

Use Q tips/spirit to clean the guides & any other parts of the tape path.

Mind your back :)
Click to expand...

Clean Heads & all tape paths/rollers with 95% Alcohol:)
 
if the rollers have gone sticky as they do on the 909, terrysrubberrollers does em for 35 a pop or so and the are done right. I don't know if the 707 has a sticky roller issue. Look out for sticky shed tapes if you have ampex but that was much more the bigger reels.

Nice haul for the coin. You have one to use when one gets a refresh and then swap and do it again. Sweet.
 
Numone said:
Couldn’t do it in the first place, let alone brag about ripping someone off, but each to their own...
Click to expand...
A
Numone said:
Couldn’t do it in the first place, let alone brag about ripping someone off, but each to their own...
Click to expand...
i actually think the gentleman knew it was valuable, but he was retired and didn’t seem to need the money. I’m thinking he just needed to clear space and wanted to pass it along to someone that was excited about it.
I could be wrong “but he literally made the statement that “I could sell one and make a nice profit”. He had a smartphone and was texting with me so I assume he knows how to google. I told him I was keeping both for personal use and he seemed to be happy about that fact.
Not sure what the guilt trip is all about here.
 
Got the rollers and tape heads all cleaned up today! Both are sounding great! Thanks for the tips on. Cleaning y’all. I know there’s a lot of videos out there for instructions but being the natural skeptic I am, it’s nice to hear confirmation that the info is correct.
I have an personal album I recorded. I’ll post some before and after links after I record the tracks to tape and then back to digital...I’d be curious to know what you all think in the sound quality differences.
 
Great score. Great decks. Great opportunity to pay it forward. And not intended as a guilt trip. That’s a question unique to each of us as individuals. Just like my envy of this score is unique to me. I love getting other people’s original Reel collection from back in the day.
Cheers
 
Just goes to show that some folks are in a position to let go of things to someone they sense is wanting to actually use them, as opposed to flipping. He read the enthusiasm you had and acted accordingly.

Enjoy your good fortune, and pass it along when you are able. I have gotten 3 very nice R2R's largely because I came across as someone who appreciated them, and would keep them-as I still have them. I have given away gear as well-it's what I should do, when I have all I can use.
 
You think the seller knew they were valuable? You knew they were valuable and happily paid circa 3% of their joint market value, plus tapes. As I said, I couldn’t do it and if my statement made you feel guilty, that’s your conscience. I’m not judging you.
 
Last edited:
Numone said:
You think the seller knew they were valuable? You knew they were valuable and happily paid circa 3% of their joint market value, plus tapes. As I said, I couldn’t do it and if my statement made you feel guilty, that’s your conscience. I’m not judging you.
Click to expand...

Then why say it?

I have practically given stuff away, just because I liked the person! And I have bought stuff for cheap. What I don’t get is the need to put a downer on others happiness. It is as though because someone got a score, he ripped someone off! Quit being so negative. Life has enough negatives without adding to them.
 
BilboBaggins said:
Then why say it?

I have practically given stuff away, just because I liked the person! And I have bought stuff for cheap. What I don’t get is the need to put a downer on others happiness. It is as though because someone got a score, he ripped someone off! Quit being so negative. Life has enough negatives without adding to them.
Click to expand...

Pay him no mind, it's (likely) envy talkin'. I know exactly how the old guy who let go of that gear for so little feels, I've done it myself, **** man, I've given -- yeah, for free, nuthin' in return -- a few of pre-CBS Fender guitars (Mustang, Telecasterm and Fender 12), a circa '62 Gibson electric bass, and several amplifiers, all Fender or Gibson (maybe also a Guild). All went to aspiring musicians who used the gear w/ no string (heh heh) attached, that is, if they needed to swap what i gave 'em for something that better suited them, cool.

Enjoy the R2R gear you procured sans guilt.
 
Well said Mystic!

These aren’t my babies. I just had to say it though.

When a person decides its time for something loved to go, they want it to go to the right person. Money is not the issue. The right person is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom