The Repair of a Sony TC-399 R2R Machine

[Skywave]

Several months ago, one of these came my way partially dismantled: I was not in a position to complain about that since I was asked very little for it. It came with a number of 7" spools of tape, most with radio recordings on them. One of those recordings featured Dave Lee Travis on Radio 2: whilst talking to a listener, he gave the date: 1982.

This machine had been languishing, unused, in someone's garage since about that date. So I knew I was in for a bit of grief in getting it going again (apart from the make, that is!). And I was not disappointed. I shan't go into all the gory details - let's just say that it required all the patience, perseverance, persistence and determination that I could muster . . . and those over many days! Eventually there was a happy ending: it was restored to full operation - and I learnt a lot about the mechanics of R2R machines - which was virtually non-existent, prior to that. .

I've added this item to the Gallery with a few photos. Below are some more . . . .

General front view
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View when black front cover has been removed
[attachment=6388]

Sectional enlargements of photo. #2
[attachment=6389] [attachment=6390] [attachment=6391] [attachment=6392] [attachment=6393]

The hand-written scribble words on the chassis metalwork are mine! That wording enabled me to operate the machine for testing when the black front cover was removed.

Al. / Nov. 24, 2012 //

[Radio Fixer]

Not for the faint hearted, well done.

thanks Gary

[AlanBeckett]

I used to be quite keen on R2R back in the 60s and 70s, and even used them professionally for various jobs. Occasionally I think I might get one and have a play. So far sitting quietly with a glass of beer for a bit has effected a cure. On the other hand if someone gave me one I might lapse, so I'm maintaining a low profile.

Well done young Al.

Alan

[pwdrive]

That takes me back Al, used repair all the Sony reel to reel tape machines when I worked for Sony of Canada, they made some good stuff in their day, the customers became very attatched to their machines, standard refurb was all new rubber and heads, electronics wise they gave very little trouble back then, when set up and aligned they always came up to spec. as per manual. Also used to work on the high speed cassette duplicating machines....didn't like them though, their language lab cassette decks used double sided print...didn't like them either, usual dry joint problems.

Lawrence.

[tiv48]

i have done a few sony r2r that use that deck the first one drove me round the twist i neve seamed to have enough hands.
and i managed to damage the lead to the erase head.i think i had the sub deck that houlds the heads ect off about 6 times
then it becomes easy
the last one i did took 30mins to change the capstain belt.
i wish they had used longer lasting heads but quality is exelent.
apart from dirty pots never had an electronic fault
rob t

[Skywave]

It was setting the actuator arm of the out-of-tape switch will caused me a lot of trouble. So did trying to get the RW/STOP/FF/REC big chrome knob correctly located in the mechanics: a truly awful design. But as you say, Rob, removing the heads sub-deck and especially its re-fitting does become easier with practice - and I certainly acquired a lot of that with this machine!
If another ever comes my way, I think I'll say "Thanks, but no thanks."

Al.

[Mark Hennessy]

That looks pretty straightforward, Al

Just joking - what a nightmare! But, at least it's all quite chunky. A few weeks ago I did a miniature tape machine made by Philips; portable (ran from 6 D cells), with tiny spools (I guess they were 3"). Obviously mono, but surprisingly good by the time I'd finished with it. It had the usual Philips belt problems, and I had to replace a tyre on an idler - for that I used a carefully cut down rubber grommet. For whoever owns it next, they will be treated to a live Mahler concert recorded from R3 via a Hacker Sovereign III

I'd love to have a professional R2R machine, and as you can imagine, the opportunity occasionally comes up via work, but each time I've turned them down on space grounds. If I were offered another, I'm not sure I'll have the willpower to refuse :-)

I do have a Philips domestic one at work which I need to bring home - that also needs a load of new rubber - but I'm not sure it will be of sufficient fidelity to justify the space it'll take. One for the future...

Well done again!

[Skywave]

Hi Mark - shooting off on a tangent: classical music. If Mahler is to your taste I do have his 1st. and 4th. symphonies on vinyl here: you're welcome to borrow them if you'd like to make copies. Mahler seems to be an acquired taste: for me, Chopin and Schumann are more to my liking; I dislike most of the works from Russian composers.

Al.

[Mark Hennessy]

Oh yes - I rather enjoy his earlier symphonies - I have recordings of 1, 2, 4 and 5 - on CD IIRC. I'm less familiar with his other work. I was lucky enough to blag my way into the Royal Albert Hall in 2009 to watch Bernard Haitink conduct Mahler's 9th: http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2009/whatson/...html#plus1 - and I got to sit next to the Radio 3 presenter who was introducing the piece (Andrew McGregor). Despite not knowing the 9th, it was simply stunning. You can't beat being at a real performance; rather depressingly, live music makes a mockery of even the best hi-fi system.

BTW, it wasn't a jolly - I was there to learn how Radio OBs work, because I was about to start a load of training for them. It's a tough job at times

My tastes are very wide, and I do quite like a lot of the romantic stuff, including Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, but these are rather over-played on Classic FM for my liking. I like a fair bit of choral stuff, but not opera. I enjoy Radio 3, but often have to tune away if they're playing opera.

[Steve_P]

Brave man fixing that!!

Actually, Classical Music has serveral uses in a workshop...

1: Testing the decks, be they Reel To Reel or Cassette. Great for testing for wow and flutter, and also for the top end. (I use Nimrod!)

2: Keeping unwanted people oiut of the workshop. Used to great effect by me in a workshop in Didsbury. The delivery boys and sales staff went and smoked elsewhere...

3: Soothing a harrassed engineer's brow.

Cheers,

Steve P,