Hi. I just joined the forum, and subscribed to the Tape Project tapes. I'm really looking forward to hearing these.
I have two Otari MX5050s, an early MX5050B-2HD I'm rebuilding, and a later MX5050B-III. The service manual for the B-III says that, to align the heads, you mark the surface of the heads with "Head Marker Ink" or a Marker Pen, and observe the wear patterns after running 10 secs of (disposable) tape.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of marker pen is suitable for this use. Obviously I want something that won't harm the heads. Presumably I want something that can be cleaned off when the heads are aligned with a normal head cleaner such as alcohol. I don't expect to be able to walk into my local art supply store and get Head Marker Ink, but if there's something I can ask for there that will work to align the heads without wrecking them, that would be great.
TIA.