Ever "recapped" a Deck or R2R?

[Karl vd Berg]

Self explained title...

I know... being Decks (and Reel to Reel!) REAL vintage gear, it must be a nightmare with all those caps inside, specially old electrolytics, varistors, old diodes, some TRs busted, oxided RCAs, really tiny and fragile board copper traces and a multitude of other aspects a Tape enthusiast have to face, not to mention the mechanical maintenance these machines require more than any other part of the system! Worse than old tuners!

So, have you ever face the challenge??

 

[Skylab]

I didn't do it myself, but I purchased a Pioneer RT-707 RTR that had just been recapped. Definitely sounded better than the stock one I had been using. I'm sure it was a massive PITA to do it, though...

 

[vincei]

I recapped a Sony TC-758, a real pain! Also replaced the brakes, cleaned all switches, ect, ect, ect....have fun!

 

[kronborg]

I have done complete recaps and tuneups of many different types of audio equipment.
One example is my Studer B67MK1 tape deck which I gave a complete recap, thorough cleaning and adjustment. I made a thread about it: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=469376

I have also gone through recapping an entire mixing console a 32 channel, 8 bus Soundcraft 800B, replacing about 600 electrolytic capacitors. I am still doing upgrades to that console, since it has very high build quality, already good sonics and is easy to upgrade and modify.

The job of recapping and repairing broken equipment is only for the patient people. If you don't have much experience in electronics or mechanical work of this kind, you could break or ruin something, or at least make some "upgrades" that actually reduce the performance or life time of the unit.
On the other hand, if you are patient and take everything one thing at a time, you could surely have much success in bringing old units back to their former glory.
As long as you keep focus, and work concentrated, you should succeed. The problem is that some people have a tendency to think it is all fun and exciting when they start working on their old tape recorders, but loose interest half way through and often these machines will end their lives, being torn apart, repaired half through and then thrown to the garbage.
If you can do the work yourself, it is very cheap to do recaps, since all you need are some relatively cheap components (good quality electrolytic capacitors are not that expensive) and a lot of time.

 

[jan_stevns]

.....So, have you ever face the challenge??

yep - several times, more than i like to think of - and the reason is very simple - i'm a tech, that despites being a teacher now, still practices the fine art of restoring taperecorders.

The latest work is here :

bought as a very sad non working thingie - now you can see it alive here as a youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7-RjaELT5w

totally recapped, mechanical repair, servocircuit repaired.

 

[Tommy_B]

I'm facing it right now. Got three R2R's to be refurbished, one of which is a Revox G36, so I get to add tubes to the challenge

These are my first restoration projects, so I'm going to be slow and methodical and hopefully not mess anything up!

 

[Karl vd Berg]

yep - several times, more than i like to think of - and the reason is very simple - i'm a tech, that despites being a teacher now, still practices the fine art of restoring taperecorders.

The latest work is here :

bought as a very sad non working thingie - now you can see it alive here as a youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7-RjaELT5w

totally recapped, mechanical repair, servocircuit repaired.

Congrats! :thmbsp:

But, tell us: it's still a tough job, isn't it?

 

[Karl vd Berg]

These are my first restoration projects, so I'm going to be slow and methodical and hopefully not mess anything up!

Man, I can only imagine... Good work! :thmbsp:

 

[Karl vd Berg]

I have done complete recaps and tuneups of many different types of audio equipment...

I have also gone through recapping an entire mixing console a 32 channel, 8 bus Soundcraft 800B, replacing about 600 electrolytic capacitors. I am still doing upgrades to that console, since it has very high build quality, already good sonics and is easy to upgrade and modify.

The job of recapping and repairing broken equipment is only for the patient people...

600 elcaps??

 

[jan_stevns]

Congrats! :thmbsp:

But, tell us: it's still a tough job, isn't it?

Honestly ? No !

It is simply a question of doing it the proper way, with the right tools

And on a deck like this AKAI 630d, where you can get the entire audiosection out in the open, you have easy access to both sides.

( look in this thread : http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=494659 )

In my world - tools are more than 50% of the job, knowledge the rest. It took me less than 4 minutes to locate the servo circuit error, and 2 minutes to repair it - all the rest are what i call it a nobrainer work , just replace each and every cap, and on Akai's with 2sc458 inside - them too - then it's time to re-adjust the deck.

after this AKAI the next item is a Revox B77

I just acchieved it, for next to nothing , supposedly in working condition, i'll see when it arrives. It will get the full monty too

(And they are just lovely to work on ! )

 

[JonL]

I recapped a Teac A3300S. I replaced just about every electrolytic cap in the deck. I did it mostly because the deck had such a foul cigarette odor that I couldn't clean out. I disassembled the whole thing to wash every part down in alcohol, and replace the caps "while I was at it." It was tedious but not terribly difficult.

 

[Karl vd Berg]

Honestly ? No !

It is simply a question of doing it the proper way, with the right tools...

In my world - tools are more than 50% of the job, knowledge the rest... It took me less than 4 minutes to locate the servo circuit error, and 2 minutes to repair it - all the rest are what i call it a nobrainer work , just replace each and every cap, and on Akai's with 2sc458 inside - them too - then it's time to re-adjust the deck...

Yeah, seeing from this point, there's no big challenge indeed. :scratch2:

The hard part might be when someone has to refurbish AND repair an old and broken piece.... Specially the mechanical cassette decks...

 

[Soren Hammer]

I agree with Kronborg - we have enjoyed many hours of working on the Soundcraft mixer and Studer B67. I can easily spend hours working with a cup of coffee and appropriate music

My past recapping work included a Beomaster 4400 (75 electrolytic capacitors), Sony TC-378 (about 60 caps) which still needs repair. I'm not motivated at the moment because of my Revox B77HS; it's like comparing an old Ford Escort mk I with a '67 Dogde Challenger...

 

[vfr800fiman]

I fully recapped my Pioneer RT909 thanks to the excellent step by step tutorial here. I actually also had to repair it as it was stored in a shed for years. A few opamps and a rebuild of the capstan motor and it works an sounds great.
I agree with everyone here, it's not difficult, it just takes time. Mine took me about a month part-time to finish. Just go slow and keep track and you'll do fine.

Glenn

 

[jan_stevns]

Yeah, seeing from this point, there's no big challenge indeed. :scratch2:

The hard part might be when someone has to refurbish AND repair an old and broken piece.... Specially the mechanical cassette decks...

There is one thing partly hidden here - restoring/repairing a tapedeck is a two step operation : You have a mechanical part and a electronic one, each one interact.

Mechanical seen , a tapetransport isn't incredible difficult to repair once you fully understand how it works. This subject can be seen in two parts.

One is the simple three motor solenoid operated transports, not much goes wrong here, and then there are the simple decks , that quite often would show to not that simple , because a lot of things interact.

belts, idlers, clutches etc. - again - once you know how they work, they are easy to fix, AS LONG AS you can find proper spareparts.

If not, it can be a roller coaster ride .

Old things like Beocord 2000 or Tandberg 3000X can really pull your legs, if the mechanic decides to play tricks.

again - once it is fixed, you can end up with absolutely smooth operating decks.

Once the mechanic issues are dealt with - there is the electronics. again - shotgun replacing caps are usually a nobrainer, error locating and repair is a whole other turf. If you don't understand how electronic works, and in this case interacts with mechanical parts, youre toasted.

and if you don't have the proper tools ..... the same (and a set of proper tools ain't cheap)

For me - it started out as a youth interrest in how electronics work - the my hobby became my proffession - several years later, my proffession is different , and theese things became my hobby again

It is more fun to fiddle with this stuff, once you don't depend on doing it for a living (the nice thing though is you can do things not many people can anymore)

 

[eddisc]

it's like comparing an old Ford Escort mk I with a '67 Dogde Challenger...

Challenger debuted in 1970 - not '67
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Challenger
color me a DIEHARD MOPAR fan

 

[Tinman]

I have re-capped so much gear that I ran out of memory to recall them all.

Unfortunately there are customers that still think a deck should be restored for a $20 and a 6pack of beer. I beg to differ.

No, it isn't hard, just very time consuming. You also cannot make any mistakes.

The peace of mind is worth it in the end when you plug it in and it just works like new again. No worry about smoke!

Cap away!

 

[cbrworm]

I have done more than a few, and consider them to be a moderate pain in the ___. I stick to Akai's, some of which are very easy and simple - others are almost impossible to restore full function and reliability without almost recreating the boards and interconnects (GX-280D-SS - I'm talking 'bout you)

 

[Numistrek09]

Three so far, all Pioneer RT 909s. My unit and then two others for another aker. I've got another 909 still in pieces that i may rebuild if i can get some parts for it, and i've got an Akai GX 630D waiting to be recapped too. Then a JVC cassette deck. Also recapped a Marantz pre-amp and a Technics TT. Not my favorite thing to do, but it is doable.