Got a head demagnetizer....have questions

[SteveinAlaska]

Nortronics VCR205 head demagnetizer along with a no-name cassette demagnetizer from someone that retired from a public relations/education career that included a lot of audio/video work.

So the questionis.......will this particular model of Nortronics work on reel-to-reel tape machines????? I am using an Akai GX-365D as my player now, but have a couple of other machines that might see use later on.

Last, where would I go shopping to find something that would work for reel-to-reel machines? Electrical supply wholesalers??..... or is going to be mail-order,internet type searching? Thanks

 

[AlTinkster92]

Google?

 

[1tumbleweed]

I don't see any reason why that Nortronics wouldn't work on a R2R. It's got a probe tip, so you can get it right up against the heads. The secret to using any head demagnetizer is to energize it at the head(s) and, while keeping it energized, slowly draw it away from the head. Once you have it 3-4 feet away from the head, you turn it off.

 

[jhtstone]

Found one at a garage sale and bought one from an online auction site. Know the market before buying to avoid over-paying.

What you have should work fine. Make sure the R2R is turned off before using. I've heard it can damage the heads if the power is even on. Don't know if true.

 

[jblmar]

I had that demag. Bought it for VCR demagging ca 1981. I was told at the time that it was too strong for R2R demagging. In fact it was a waste of money for VCR use as the spinning head produced a very HF that made VCR demagging unnecessary. It should be fine for R2R as well as cassette.

 

[BANDWIDTH]

I've heard it can damage the heads if the power is even on. Don't know if true.

YES! TURN THE POWER OFF THE DECK FIRST!! Otherwise you can induce some truly horrific transients that will not be kind to your electronics!

 

[SteveinAlaska]

:thmbsp: Thanks again to all! You know what tomorrows early AM project will be.

 

[ecoak]

YES! TURN THE POWER OFF THE DECK FIRST!! Otherwise you can induce some truly horrific transients that will not be kind to your electronics!

I must assume that it is correct procedure to turn the amp off, but while you can turn the tape machine off with a probe you can not when using one of those cassette units that require the machine to run (I assume this, as I don't own one) so turning the tape machine off, based on that, is only as a precaution. but obviously, turn the amp off, or select another input...