• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Wollensak T-1980 Reel To Reel Tape Recorder

corpblues

corpblues

AK Member
I bought a Wollensak T-1980 Reel To Reel Tape Recorder from an estate sale. It powers up and the amps work. I tested the amps in PA mode using a microphone.

Any love for old Wollensak Tube reel to reel tape recorders?

Does anyone have a manual?

Initially it will spin the hubs in ff/rew but it would not play.

4+ hours later... Tired but feeling pretty good about the progress thus far. Putting this out here to help anyone else trying to figure out how to disasseble it.

I fully disassembled it. Had to take both amps out first. Then removed two rails that are bolted on to the cabinet that both support the deck and the one on the right has a mechanical lever that turns the amps on/off from a connecting rod on the transport.

Took the faceplate off and lubricated all the moving levers and bearings. Got it to where it would then play pretty well but would bind up sometime and always bind whenever I tried to fastfoward. Finally figured out the right spindle was not turning well. So took both spindles off and oiled the bearings and now it works nicely in play / reverse / fast forward. Start and stops nicely, rewinds and fast forward nicely and switches speeds nicely.

I've reassembled the transport. Getting too late tonight, so will hook everything up tomorrow and see if it will actually play a tape.
 
Register to hide this ad
The Sound Room

I had a couple of these and the little brother the 1580

Absolutely elegant, beautiful decks

Good job getting it up and running

I performed the same lube-as-you-go and got mine working same as you

The electronics use allot of PEC (Packaged Electronic Components) modules. They are integrated discrete components consisting of caps and resistors all encased in plastic. It made assembly easier and the packages are more rugged

PEC modules can be difficult to determine, test and replace

The Single Ended 7591 amps are supposed to put out 11 wpc

I compared it to the Akai/Roberts M8 tape decks

The Wollensak has a single power supply for both amps, the Akai/Roberts have individual power supply for each amp
The Akai/Roberts used all discrete components and is easier to service

No headphone jack on the Wollensak
 
vinAd64Wollensak.jpg


not a Wollensak model I know -- look around @ http://reel2reeltexas.com/catIndex.html (early 1960s) and see what info you can find. I didn't find much, but I didn't look to hard.
 
Can't really help here but I love the Wollensak brand from this time period for cassette decks. Have a half dozen. They were built like tanks and made to last... obvioulsy. RW and FF better and quicker than just about any other deck I own and they still sound darn good. Like getting them into rotation from time to time. Love to see some more pictures of this beauty. I have a M8 from Akai and enjoy playing that either into the lame built in speakers or to my system.
 
Friend's father has an old tube reel to reel that he was going to let one of these estate sale guys sell. I told him to take all the tapes and this reel to reel and don't let someone sell it. Probably the guy would keep it for himself. I will check to find out the brand. We had tested it months ago and it works. Funny, I didn't know it was a tube unit, because when I tested it, no sound came out until it warmed up after running a few minutes. Never seen a tube reel to reel. Pretty cool. Are these collectable? Told him to keep for his father's tapes. His father is in his 90's. Moving and selling house.
 
I am trying to convert a Wollensak 1980 in two monoblocks. What is the role of the 6C6 bias oscillator section in the power supply of this machine? Is it needed by the two SE 7591 amps, or is it something used by the tape mechanism and that can be removed?

Screen Shot 2021-05-14 at 12.44.09 AM.png Screen Shot 2021-05-14 at 12.44.05 AM.png
 
Nice find-I always liked the styling of that deck. Glad you gave it some love, and now it's loving you back.

Being a portable unit (for those with strong biceps), bring it to a party with an RCA to mini stereo cable, and plug it into someone's iPhone dock or whatever, and fire it up. It will certainly get some (puzzled) attention!
 
I have the T-1580.

Now I need to find a T-1980.

On yours did you have an issue of the plastic the drive wheels attach to warping slightly causing them not to slide very easily?

That's the only real thing stopping me from finishing my T-1580.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom