Messages

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 12, 2008, 07:18:04 AM »

Thanks IB,

I'll pass along your diagnosis and hopefully, he'll have a service manual soon.

His counter works fine but funny you should ask, mine didn't when I first got the deck. I replaced the belt but found that the gears still weren't engaging. I sprayed a bit of Deoxit on the ends of the shaft where it met the metal housing and applied a drop of light oil (Labelle 108). The counter works fine now but I can hear it spinning away in FF (its silent in RR) so I may have to adjust or replace the belt again as I'm thinking it may be too tight.

BTW, have you ever oiled/lubed your motors or flywheels? If so, what did you use and where did you apply it? Are there obvious holes marked 'OIL HERE' or did you just put a few drops on the shafts? Thanks again -Bryan

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 11, 2008, 10:18:33 PM »

One more update to his symptoms... He now says that the noise is constant during and after playback. He also said that changing the tape speed speeds up and slows down the 'motorboating' accordingly and finally, when the deck is powered down, the noise continues and slowly tapers off. What mechanism has enough inertia to continue turning without power - the fan, a belt? Could a few drops of oil or a new belt (or both) be in order? I'm at a total loss and have suggested that he start logging onto the few R2R-savvy forums like this one and ask around for a shop recommendation. You guys have been very helpful and if I ever get off my butt and start recording again, I hope to join in on the fun 'round here. Thanks again! -Bryan

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 10, 2008, 08:49:35 AM »

Thanks again Doc - I'll pass your suggestions along. -Bryan

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 10, 2008, 07:29:01 AM »

The noise seems to show up after the motors have been engaged. My friend said that he ran the deck through its paces while the rest of the system was shut down and didn't hear any noise while the deck was idling but when he started playing a tape, the noise came and went intermittently at no particular intervals. After he stopped the tape, the noise occurred immediately after and off and on for a few seconds every 5 minutes or so. He didn't hear any noise during FF or RW but it did show up again immediately after the tape stopped. He described the noise as a "tock..tock..tock..tock" while the deck was idling and he mentioned that during playback, it kind of sounded like the creaking in the hull of a wooden boat or on the docks (in the movies, I'm sure). Finally, he did say that he left the deck on for several hours after and noted that the "creaking/tock-tock-tock" seemed to subside over time.

Once again, he said the noise had no obvious effect on playback or tape speed. Does the fact that the noise occurs only during and after the motors are engaged and shows up intermittently thereafter and eventually diminishes suggest that something needs to be lubricated or maybe the capstan bearings are loose? Is there a clutch or something similar in there?

I realize that its difficult to make a diagnosis from 2nd hand information but I'm not aware of any shops in the Baltimore area that he can take it to. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks! -Bryan

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 09, 2008, 03:50:40 PM »

Thanks Doc. I'll call him tonight and try to get a better description of the noise.

6

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 09, 2008, 02:59:26 PM »

The noise was definitely coming form his deck (mechanical) and we only noticed it when it was idle (playback stopped) for a few minutes. It would come and go every few minutes and didn't seem to effect operation - speed and playback was fine.

7

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Strange noise coming from Akai GX-400PRO

« on: June 08, 2008, 07:17:45 AM »

I was listening to a friend's system last night and he was demo'ing his new find for me...an Akai R2R. It sounded nice and everything seemed to work well but a little later while we were listening to some records, I heard a faint motorboat-like sound ('tock-tock-tock-tock-tock...') that lasted about 15 seconds. He said he hadn't heard it before and as soon as he stopped the TT, the noise went away. A few minutes later, it came back and seemed to come and go about every 5 minutes and last about 15 seconds each time.

I'm afraid I've upset him by pointing this out and now he thinks he has to find a tech to repair his deck. I'm thinking it may just need a spot of oil or such but haven't a clue where to start. I did convince him to order a manual but I'm hopeful that someone at the TP may have had a similar experience and can offer suggestions.

My query isn't simply a gesture to help a friend in that I also have an Akai deck (GX-400D) and not only do I feel a bit responsible for his purchase but I'm also concerned that this may be in my future as well. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks -Bryan