Messages

76

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: early portable tape machines

« on: January 05, 2012, 06:10:52 AM »

Steve,

I certainly remember those - but not the manufacturer - didn't they make one available for two track?

How about a pic?

Charles

77

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: the 2 track era

« on: January 01, 2012, 07:52:54 AM »

Regarding Cal Western - I checked my two-track stereo pre-record list residing in the files section of the Yahoogroups Reel_Tape thread
 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Reel_Tapes/files/
And do include maybe a dozen titles from Cal Western, which was supposedly out of San Jose.  Maybe some of you'se "locals" can do some more digging.  They apparently issued a few of their own titles plus copies/reissues of certain RCA, Columbia and other labels.  Don't think I've ever heard a tape so I can't comment on their "quality.

Reel lady is the current go-to-girl for 2 tracks and "master dubs".

BTW Steve if you'd like to host the list here I'll send it to you (or whomever would like to do it).  Don't have a website to link it to (Yet)

Happy New Year

Charles 

78

Tape Tech / Re: Lamps for Otari MTR-10

« on: December 23, 2011, 07:01:44 PM »

I just went completely through two MTR-10's.  The bulbs in the function switches were fine but a few of those in the VU meters were out.  These bulbs are tubular, around 1/8" diameter by 9/16" long, with wires sticking out each end.  MCM electronics has what looks like identical bulbs in both 8V (#25-450 for 72 cents) and 12V (25-455 for 40 cents).  I ordered a bunch of both and will let you know which seems to be the closest to "stock".

Charles

79

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: the 2 track era - when did it end

« on: December 05, 2011, 09:21:47 AM »

Steve,

I don't know if there was any "definitive" end to the era - I'd say that they/it just "petered out" -  due to plummeting sales -  once the four-tracks hit the scene in quantity.  My best guess would be around 1960. 

To be more precise - If someone wants to research when the "major" labels started issuing four-tracks - then either take that year or add one year to it.

On my list, I put certain "other" information, like dates, under the label heading before the individual titles.  Got most of the dates by looking back through early issues of the monthly "Tape Recording" magazine (or whatever it was called) to see when companies started advertising their wares.

Regarding "Direct to Tape", I did buy a few of their 15ips, 2 track offerings - with no encoding.  As I remember, they didn't have too many.  Got a organ tape which was nice but couldn't stand the music on the pop tape.

Charles

80

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: the 2 track era

« on: December 02, 2011, 07:18:42 PM »

I just checked my 2 track list, as I remembered that I had listed the earliest listed dates for some of the recordings/labels.

Audiosphere wins!  It's first tapes were issued in May of 1954!.  Looks like the Boston label followed sometime in 1955.

Charles

81

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Just Scanned the G36 Articles

« on: November 14, 2011, 06:52:49 AM »

Including the original (Glass Audio 0/88); my addition (Glass Audio 1/92), and some wonderful, further comments and suggestions by Jukka Tolonen (Glass Audio 3/95)

Email me for a file:  [email protected]

Charles

82

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Greening the Revox G36 Article

« on: November 13, 2011, 03:48:53 PM »

Oh Hi!!!

Just back from a fun, Saturday get-together with the NNETG (Northern New England Tube Group).

I'll look for a copy of my article - and ask the new owners of AudioXpress if it's OK that I post it.  There was also a followup from me and great response from a fellow in Germany (can't remember his name at the moment,  but he added some very useful info).  Will try to find and post all of it

Charles

83

Events / Re: Subscriber event at Rocky Mountain

« on: October 08, 2011, 12:42:54 PM »

See you there with: http://web.me.com/reeltapes/Home_of_Reeltapes/King_Levinson_LNP-2_Preamp.html

Charles

84

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Quarter Track "Tapeography"

« on: June 03, 2011, 01:02:23 PM »

THANKS

85

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Technics RS1500 head rewiring - head replacement

« on: June 03, 2011, 04:51:13 AM »

For what it's worth, the stock playback head can be pressed out of it's case and replaced by a "B" case pro-Nortronics. 

I tried posting a pic but the file is too large - Email me if you'd like more info

Charles

86

Prerecorded Tapes / Quarter Track "Tapeography"

« on: June 03, 2011, 04:25:17 AM »

Is there, or could someone start a place on the net where interested tapesters could post listing info about good quality quarter-track (stereo) open reels - and quad for that matter?

What I suggest is something like an open access, easy-to-update "shell" where individuals (members) could post information; like title, label, performer and maybe a comment section (like for sonics).  Anyone can read it but only the specific poster could edit his/her information.

Have it organized by perhaps by music type - then label - then title? Artist cross-reference might be nice.

Ideas?

Charles

87

Tape Tech / Re: New (to me) ST 1510A question

« on: May 15, 2011, 06:23:55 PM »

It's just fine!

Charles

88

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Source for Technics 1500 counter belts

« on: January 02, 2011, 12:26:00 PM »

Thanks Phil and Ki,

Turns out I was able to get them from my "belt guy".  Apart from a few vendors selling (out) the stock belts from the old sources such as PRB, most sources are drying up, as are the belts themselves.  The Audio Visual market, along with the "old" VHS / cassette market "drove" whatever belt / idler / rubber drive market there was.  But most all "modern" products have done away with belts - and are going to no moving parts at all.

A number of years back, I did a "US-wide" search to find a source of belts for Stellavox and a few other products and only found one guy, who may now have the largest supply of belts still available.  He's retired and when he's / they're gone they ARE gone.  Dick Kinsey (803) 787-1626

Charles 

89

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Source for Technics 1500 counter belts

« on: November 19, 2010, 06:41:07 AM »

I see them listed on Ebay - anyone know of another source?

THANKS

Charles

90

Events / Re: Tape Seminar at RMAF 2010

« on: October 13, 2010, 09:47:15 AM »

I'm giving one on Friday @3:15 P

See some of you there!?

Drinks in the Lounge say 5 P? 

Charles