While the photos below show some of the work on our collection recorders, we are not a repair source. Due to our production work, we do not provide repair, nor restoration on units except for those in our collection. Please see our links page under "repair and restoration" for resources.
MOMSR Restoration - Martin Theophilus
Since 1997 I've been restoring the reel to reel tape recorders that came into our collection. EBay and the internet enabled early acquisitions. Initially folks weren't listing many tape recorders on eBay, so some of our units came from want ads, Goodwill and pawn shops. However eBay quickly became the prime source. There were good and bad experiences. Some recorders came in almost NIB. Most had multiple problems. I worked on the mechanical issues, however was not proficient in the circuit repairs.
As the collection progressed, I found that my repairs enabled me to resell the initial unit and it financed a much better example of the same tape recorder. On many of the recorders in the collection, I cycled through 5 or 6 units before I had what I considered to be an excellent example of that particular model. This was especially true of our Technics RS-1700 which also involved the acquisition of 7 different dust cover until I had one that was perfect.
In 2017 the collection peaked at 224 reel to reel tape recorders and 123 microphones, plus multiple mixers and other accessories. Additional multiple replacements since 1997 included: Sony TC-777; Sony TC-772 2 track 15 ips; Teac A3340; Teac A-3300 2T; Pioneer RT-909; Pioneer RT-707; Akai GX-747; Akai GX-400 DSS; Concertone 800; Berlant Concertone 20/20; several Crown units; Dokorder 1140; TandbergModel 6 and 12; Webcor Squire; Webcor Professional; Fostex R-8; Wollensak 1980 and many more.
The great result is that the collection grew and was mostly self funding.
Repair Services: Unfortunately due to lack of staffing, the Museum does not provide operation consultation, manuals, parts, sales recommendations, nor repair services. Nor have we tracked service facilities.
We’ve often found parts on eBay and sometimes bought a used machine to repair, or obtain a part. If it doesn’t show up immediately save the search and eBay will send you an email when it’s available. Also, you might contact area recording studios and inquire as to who they use for electronics servicing. Other resources we've found very helpful are the forums TapeHeads, GearSpace and AudioKarma, plus all the analogue and tape recording Facebook Groups.
Here are some photos of a few of the restorations.
Ampex 300 Sel-Sync 4 channel reel to reel recorder and amplifiers
Ampex 300 and 4 amps donated to MOMSR by Frank Roberts
Sony TC-510-2 (1976) Portable reel to reel tape recorder - video
Ampex 351 (1958) professional reel tape recorder - video
ReVox B77 repair
Sony TC-770-4
Teac TD 102
We have a Teac TD-102 which includes the stereo electronics. This unit originally belonged to Sound Masters of Chicago. The unit was built into a custom box and had an additional fan installed to help cool all the electronics. The capstan looks like its been soldered in place. Truly a well used deck. The old box actually had a refrigerator handle on top to carry the heavy recorder.
with Teac TD-105D/TD-7520/Series R-110 and R-114 - 1959Teac AR-9C & 9D Amps
Manual pdf • This recorder was donated to the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording by Penny Hendrix- "It was acquired in Japan between 1960 and 1963 by my father."
Studer A807 timecode (1981) repaired by Greg Klinginsmith
Sony TC-777 (1962) reel tape recorder
Uher 4400 (1981) portable reel tape recorder - belt replaced
Tascam 388 (1985) 8 track reel recorder with built in mixer - cleaned and belt replaced
Roberts 333X (1970) reel to reel, cassette and 8-track recorder/players
This model was also released under Akia's brand and the X2000SD everywhere except North America due to Robert Metzners' trade agreement.
Two recorders, one Akai 2000SD and one Roberts 333X were combined (with help by my friend John Moore) in order to have all three modes of operation functioning.
Technics RS-1500 & RS-1700 reel tape recorders
Roberts 5000X (1965) and Akai X-300 reel tape recorders
Again these were Robert Metzner designs then built by Akai
Roberts 5000X, Ampex 2100 and Sony TC-777 Limited Edition on MOMSR repair bench
Ampex 960 (1960) reel tape recorder
Pioneer RT-707, ReVox A77, Sony TC-600, Roberts 4000X, Roberts 770X, Webcor Professional on MOMSR repair bench
Ampex ATR-700 (1975) reel tape recorder
Teac 505 (1960) reel tape recorder restoration
Webster Electric 1949
Not related to Webster Chicago
Tapesonic
Berlant Concertone 1401
Brush Professional
We also had many Calrad, Argonne and other brands of 1960's knockoff microphones restored and sold to support the collection. Calrad spotings
Third Party Photos
We appreciate all photos sent to our museum. If we have not credited a photo, we do not know its origin if it was not taken by the contributor. Please let us know if a photo on our site belongs to you and is not credited. We will be happy to give you credit, or remove it if you so choose.
PLEASE NOTE: NONE OF THE ITEMS PICTURED ON OUR MUSEUM WEB SITE ARE FOR SALE!
Photos donated by Liudvikas Ragauskis
I live in Europe, Lithuania in Vilnius. AEG FT4 was brought to Vilnius German army occupied Lithuania in 1941. The occupation authorities nationalized Lithuanian state radio saturation and about 1941-1942 AEG TF4 brought to their radio controlled study. Since the Soviet Union Army in 1944 again occupied Lithuania, is now occupying the new government took over the German radio station, together with the equipment that the Germans did not have time to leave including AEG FT4. It was used by Lithuanian radio studio until 1965. My grandfather worked in the Lietuvos Radijas (Lithuanian Radio) and changed the equipment he bought it in 1965 and we have used up to 1980. Later, the simultaneous operation listen to records. Now I bring the store to the village. I think that the suitcase (sideboard?) and the AEG magnetophone are original. Many original labels were removed and the new lables in Russian were put on. The main original basis of this magnetophone is K4. Other appliances inside are probably produced and installed in USSR between 1950 – 1955. I think that this AEG was taken from Germany after the WWII by ocupational sovien army or the soviet government has got it as a contribution.
Ampex ATR-124 restoration • view video
Restoration of an Ampex ATR-124 photos and video with permission from Blake Olmstead, Dollhouse Productions, Savannah, Georgia
Teac TD-105D
Nuttawat Boonsinthai of Thailand has generously shared photos and a video of his Akai AT-1 that has been built into a beautiful wood cabinet. view video
Crown CX-844
Photos of this Crown CX-844 provided by Peter Frei
Denon reel to reel tape recorder
Reel tape recorder manufacturing photos
Ampex F-44 Fine Line quality check
Magnecord
Photos below from the Magnecord factory provided by Dave Boyers (son of founder John Boyers) with referral from Chris at Preservation Sound.
Studer
In 1951 ELA AG was founded by Willi Studer and Hans Winzeler. The Dynavox tape recorder was renamed into Revox T26 and the prestigious recording of the "International Music Festival Lucerne" was made with a prototype of the first professional tape recorder Studer 27. Dynavox became Revox and the T26 continued virtually unchanged until cessation of production in 1955.
In 1952 mass production of the Studer 27 begins, Willi Studer has 32 employees.
1986 Studer Revox group employs 1882 people, including all subsidiaries worldwide.
Tandberg Factory
Studer
Sony
First Sony Tape Prototype called Soni-Tape - 1949. First Sony Tape Recorder Prototype1950
In 1950, Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation (the predecessor to Sony) launched Japan's first tape recorder, the "G type." Called "G" type because it was sold mostly to the government
Spring wound "M" Type for professional broadcast work - 1950
In marketing the G-type tape recorder, Totsuko registered it under the trademark name of " Tapecorder" (Later Sony used "Sterecorder")
This machine featured a tape speed of 19cm (7.5 inches) per second & 10 inch reels
TC-301. It was the first small tape recorder designed for the consumer market and was sold for 49,000 yen - $600 (the G type tape recorder launched 4 years before was sold at 160,000 yen -$2,600). It was this less-than 50,000 yen model that started the mass production of what until then were expensive products. Sony Corp.
Thank you for your inquiry to the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Unfortunately we don’t track regional repair resources. My recommendation is to post your request to some of the forums and Facebook Groups listed below.
Transfer services at this link. Other resources for manuals and repair.
Repair Services: Unfortunately the Museum does not provide operation consultation, manuals, parts, sales recommendations, nor repair services. Nor have we tracked service facilities.
We’ve often found parts on eBay and sometimes bought a used machine to repair, or obtain a part. Search for the part you need. If it doesn’t show up immediately save the search and eBay will send you an email when it’s available.
We highly recommend Audio Electronics, 10870 Plano Rd. Suite C, Dallas, TX 76238, 800-466-2372 or 214-349-5000. They have provided excellent service on vintage equipment. They’ve repaired several of our Teac units.
Here are several Austin, Texas options: Tapehead Electronics, Atomic Tube (tube units only) and Austin Stereo. San Antonio Sound Idea
Studio Electronics in CA service some of Austin’s pro machines.
Also, these links.
ATR Services, Inc. - Ampex service
Lamps (bulbs) for vintage gear DGWOJO.com
Polydrive - Precision urethane rollers
Dedicated to the Repair & Restoration of Vintage Audio Reel to Reel Tape Decks - Billings article
Repair Reel to Reel Tape Recorders
Save On Sound - Houston
Tapeheads Austin
Teac/Tascam offers assistance through this link.
Heads
JRF Magnetic Sciences
Microphone repair
Microphone collections
Other Resources
For more information we recommend checking out the forums at the following links. There are many folks willing to assist in finding resources around the world.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=426532
There are now numerous forums on faceBook that share resource information.
Open Reel / Analogue Recording Machines
Reel-toReel-Tape-Recorder-Group
Teac Vintage Open Reel Tape Decks
It is often helpful to search “vintage audio repair services” in your area. If they don’t repair vintage recorders, they may know someone who does. Many recording studios are still using analog recorders. They will usually share information on who services their machines.
Power Cords -Your best source may be eBay if there is one for sale, or even buying a similar recorder that is not working and has a cord. Also, there may be a resource at this link, One other source would be a local radio repair shop that would fabricate a cord to your specifications.
Belts and rollers:
http://www.terrysrubberrollers.com/
Vintage Electronics Ampex Belts
Recording replacement heads JRF Magnetics
Manuals: Here’s resource links that have information, manuals and documents, some free and some for sale.
Manuals 1 - A. G. Tannenbaum Manuals http://www.agtannenbaum.com/
Manuals 2 - Mauritron Manuals & Guides http://www.mauritron.com/
Manuals 3 - Service Manuals http://www.servicemanuals.net/
Manuals 4 - StereoManuals.com http://www.stereomanuals.com/
Manuals 5 - hifiEngine http://www.hifiengine.com/
Manuals 6 - HiFi Manuals http://www.hifi-manuals.com/
Manuals 7 - Manual-Buddy.com http://manual-buddy.com/
Manuals 8 - Recording Preservation http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/
http://vintagewindings.com/products/ProAudioDVD.html
Also, check our links under "M" as we will update the manual resources on that page.
http://reel2reeltexas.com/vinLinks.html
TAPE:
Tape listings are at this link.
Tape Resources: