Early Otari MX5050

[Ed Fallon]

So wanting to get into this inexpensively at first, I'm looking at capable but less sexy machines for now.  Someone nearby is selling an MX5050 for not too much $$ and it's not a II or III series which seems more popular.  I can't find much info regarding specs of the original MX5050.  The seller isn't very knowledgeable of the deck other than to say it works and is 1/2 track and thinks it does 15ips.  Obviously I will need to check it out in person.   Anyone familiar with the mechanical differences between the series I and II?  I'm especially curious if these came with 4 heads like the later series that can play 1/4 track too with a switch change.

Thanks,

-Ed

[ironbut]

I'm pretty sure that the non-mkll ( I don't think it was called a mk l but just 5050b2) or the model before the mk ll didn't have the digital counter. It should have the 4 heads. Most 5050's ( other than the mk lll which is 1/2 track only) did but some had 1/2 track recording and some had 1/4 track recording. I think that all the 4 head machines had the same features though. The Otari's ( and the Technics for that matter) have pretty soft heads so check them out. Unless you have a good magnifier and light, it's real hard to tell if the heads are grooved. It's easier to feel with your little finger. If you have a 10.5" reel of tape and a take up reel, take them with you and pay particular attention to the way the tape stops and starts especially toward the beginning and end (when the reel weights are highest). Also, slice marks across the head nest(editing blade marks) are a bad sign. Probably a  radio station machine that could be pretty used up. Bear in mind, there are lots of these decks out there so it's a buyers market. I see some on Ebay that never get bids for some reason.