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Tapecorder

seabee121usa

New Member
I just found a Sony Tapecorder TC 230. at the GW. Does any one have any info on this deck? any help would be greatly app.
John
 
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I have had a Sony TC-377 since 1975, a very good mid-priced unit. Yours was probably the entry level model in the line. Does yours say Superscope with it? That would be a clue to its age. I believe Superscope models first appeared in 1964. It is interesting that the term "tape recorder" on the head cover was misspelled by the manufacturer. Mine says "tapecorder" too.
 
I believe the Superscope name first appeared in the early to mid 60's on Sony R2R's. I have a tc-560 from 1968 and it says Superscope on it. If I was to take a guess I would say the tc-230 came out in either 67' or 68' ?? I know the tc-666D is from 68'.
 
Why do you say misspelled. They gave it the name "Tapecorder" on purpose,
and I believe it was a registered trade mark of Sony.
 
Trivia

Superscope was a USA company that had rights to sell Sony tape recorders in the USA in the 60's and 70's. Superscope used to be listed on the OTC stock exchange.

Charlie
 
Although this deck is the bottom of the line, it is capable of very good performance. It has rubber idler wheels inside to drive the transport, that may be worn out. Try it and see if the reels move when you turn the lever to "play." You have to put a tape on it, or hold the tape sensor wire (under the head cover) to make it think there is a tape in it. If the idler's are bad, Terry Witt rebuilds them.
 
My father bought a TC-230 while he was overseas and I used it for a number of years while in Jr high and high school. It was a very nice unit which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I unpacked it last Christmas and it wouldn't operate due to the lubrication having dried up. This prevented the pinchroller from engaging. I have since purchased a drive belt replacement kit, and refurbishing guide from Vintage Electronics. One advantage of their belt kit is that they provide a small belt to go around one of the spools to compensate for the smaller size of the main belt. This had to be done since the stock size belt is no longer made by anyone. I didn't know this until I received the kit from V.E. which provided a note with this info. That would explain why the first replacement belt that I installed while in high school didn't quite fit.

Good luck.


Paul
 
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