Teac X1000R forward playback is muddy

D

Donn101949

New Member
When I play a tape on my Teac X1000R, it sounds muddy and lower volume in the forward play position than the reverse play position. I cleaned all of the heads and degaussed them which helped a little. Could it be a worn forward play head? How much trouble is it to change out the heads? Should I replace them all?
 
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Hey Grbluen, you're eatin' popcorn on the other two X1000R threads also. Must be hungry! :)

Donn, can you post a clear, in-focus shot of the heads?
Might also be good to scan the other current thread for some transport checks, too.

Chip
 
Chip Chester said:
Hey Grbluen, you're eatin' popcorn on the other two X1000R threads also. Must be hungry! :)

Donn, can you post a clear, in-focus shot of the heads?
Might also be good to scan the other current thread for some transport checks, too.

Chip
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm trying to learn as much as I can about these machines!:)
 
Your tape path is still dirty. (Heads, guides, capstans, lift pins) I see a glob of tape oxide on the right track of the reverse play head. You did not show forward play head.

Use a magnifier and strong light to examine. Use acetone to clean off all the old oxide. Usually regular alcohol will not work with stubborn oxide deposits.

Also use new tape. You tapes may be defective and shedding oxide excessively. (called "sticky shed syndrome")
 
Thanks for your help. Silly me, I've been using audio tape head cleaner, but I'll try the acetone.
Here's another picture of the heads.
Can you post a picture of clean heads so I'll have a comparison?
I've been using Maxell UD 35-90 tapes, but the recorded ones are 30 years or older.

On another related subject, do you have information on replacing the main drive belt on a HK CD-291 cassette deck. I started a thread on another AK forum, but haven't seen a reply. I don't know how to get the belt on the big wheel.
 

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Normally, Maxell tapes do not shed (have SSS). Tapes like Ampex 456 do. Perhaps a while back, you or someone else played an Ampex tape on the deck. Defect is called Sticky Shed Syndrome or SSS.
 
Can't fault you there Donn, I have maxell tapes that were recorded in the 80's and still sound as good as when they were recorded.
 
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