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Calling RT-2044 Owners

xlbee

xlbee

PIONEERFREQ
Subscriber
I posted this over in the Pioneer forum but didn't really get anywhere so I thought that I would try the Tape forum...

I'll be joining the RT-2044 owners club very soon. So, for those of you who own one, fill me in. Anything I need to know? Repairs or maintenance that may need to be done? General comments good or bad? So far, I have located the English service manual and ordered an English owner's manual.

I'm very excited and have my fingers crossed for a safe delivery!

Chime in and stay tuned...
 
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My general opinion on these machines is they are very well made. I rarely ever saw one of these for service except for abuse or replacing heads a few times. Usually sounded excellent and superbly reliable. Should serve you well for many years if nicely maintained. Cleaning heads and counter belt replacement is most of your maintenance here and a few drops of oil if your motors need it every two years or so.
 
KT, thanks for the response, that's good to hear! I had to do a lot to get my RT-707 working properly so a little oil and a belt replacement should be no problem (fingers crossed).

I've heard back from the seller and it's on it's way...
 
KentTeffeteller,

I have read a lot of your posts that have helped me tremendously. Thanks!
Where exactly would the oil drops go on the motors? Front bushing, rear bushing, or both bushings areas where the spindle protrudes from the housing?

I bought a Pioneer 2 track RT-2022 version about a year ago but haven't used it much because it came with a set of 2 track heads that were pretty worn and it didn't sound all that great. Just about a month ago I acquired another RT-2022 in sad condition (exterior panel rust & scratches) from improper handling and storage in the humid Texas climate. I bought it because it had a like new 4 track head and included an unused 2 track head and a NIB RT-211 remote. Now I plan to use the 4 track head and the second TAU-11 to convert mine to the RT-2044 version. I have swapped out the head block to play 4 track tapes but I haven't done the full conversion yet as I need to do some serious rust removal on the newly acquired TAU-11 exterior cabinet panels. I just finished de-oxit treating all the switches and pots of my main RTU-11 and both TAU-11 units. I am keeping the rusty RTU-11 unit as a future spare parts donor. My total expense so far for everything is still under $300.

Before I bought my original unit it must have been stored in a garage or barn for a long time and it was quite dusty. A little compressed air on the inside was the first thing to remove the dust and then some elbow grease and Simple Green on the outside parts and I had a near mint beauty in front of me! I found the tension arms on both sides were sticky so I disassembled, cleaned, oiled and reassembled the capstan and both tension arms along with changing the tape counter belt and capstan belt. (Changing the belts was the easiest of any tape machine I have ever worked on.)

I have only played a couple 7 1/2 IPS pre-recorded tapes on it now since the clean up and belt change but it is working great and sounds great with the 4 track head. I also cleaned and demagnetized the head block but nothing else has been done. I haven't taken the time to do any recording since the swap to the 4 track head but I intend to make some tapes soon on some NOS Quantegy 456 I have on hand.

I have a maintenance manual I picked up on the auction site but I'm not sure if I want to tinker with anything else since it's working well. I too would appreciate any advice on other maintenance points or any other adjustments that should be done electronically or mechanically. Thanks.
 
There should be oil holes in the reel motors on this deck. And the capstan has a cap to screw off (then put a few drops every 2 years in and replace the cap). Be careful not to get any oil on the pinch roller. I still have my old RT 707 and still wouldn't mind having a RT 2022 or 2024 or a RT 1040 series. I loved those decks really well and they were very well built. Pioneer's best open reels of all.
 
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