ReVox heads

[xmas111]

I see a guy over on the bay selling ReVox NOS record and erase heads for the A77 and B77 at about half the price of some other guys.

This one is listed as 4 track record head but the add also said 2 track, I'm pretty sure it's 4 track.

ReVox Head

Anyone see any thing odd about it or reason not to buy it?

I think the price is pretty good and I'm thinking about picking it up.

Thanks,
John

 

[Tinman]

That head looks like it MAY have been re-lapped to me. I saw it earlier. I can't prove it, of course, and it could be a totally different run of these heads I have not seen before. That IS a 4 track head.

I have re-lapped revox heads myself (for my own use) and they look exactly like that one, with the relief groove being smaller and a dull sheen. Original Revox heads are usually MIRROR polished.

I can put the dot of paint on as well. Many original heads actually don't have the paint dot.

Having said that, there is no reason I can see that this head wouldn't work, though.

Price is ok.

Marc

Edit: Here's a new one, note the much longer relief cuts.

 

[xmas111]

Thanks Tinman for the info.

When looking at the two heads side by side they look totally different.

I'm guess ReVox had some engineering design changes over the years.

John

 

[GPS16]

Thanks Tinman for the info.

When looking at the two heads side by side they look totally different.

I'm guess ReVox had some engineering design changes over the years.

John

From what I have seen of the Revox heads. The one on the left has bee lapped. The one on the right looks like a newby. Look at the length of the milled out slot at the top and bottom.

The construction of the heads is modular. Surfaces are lapped, to tight tollerances and then held together with what looks like epoxy and clips. The top plate on the left one is not in the original Revox location. There should also be some over hang on the outside edges. On the left hand head the overhang looks to be reduced due to the lapping.

All well and good to have the surface. What about the important bit. The Gap!! If this gets wider because the the surface has been lapped back. Bang goes the high frequency response. The top end of the machine will disappear. You may be recording it but you will not be able to reproduce it. This must be born in mind when using a lapped head. The operating life may be reduced. If the lapping goes too far back the head may not be servicable at all.

GPS16

 

[Will S.]

I haven't looked at a Revox head since the mid-80s, but I suspect the one in the auction is quarter track.