Static devices
On this page extensive information about maintenance and repair of main playback and recording devices.
Difficulty Index:
★ = Easy
No danger to you or the device you work with.
★★ = Challenging
You are not in danger but your devices are so be careful what you do. Expect some challenge.
★★★ = Average
You work with electrical appliances and fragile parts, you disassemble and examine appliances. Although power to the device is not always necessary during work, there is a risk of electric shock.
★★★★ = Difficult
You are going to test devices with power on. There is very little room for errors and parts are rare, expensive or no longer available.
★★★★★ = Expertise
Fast rotating parts, electricity and measurements. Replacing or treating small fragile parts. Almost impossible repairs, work only if you have the right knowledge, and are not afraid of breaking your device if you make a mistake.
There is also a indication of the costs, these are based on parts to be purchased, and are calculated on the basis that nothing breaks during the process.
Purchase costs of the device/medium itself are not included.
Finally, some repairs are not yet completed, the button to these is colored orange.
Low = €0 to €50
Medium = €50 to €100
High = €100 or more!
Page 1:
- Wega B4610 (Reel to reel recorder)
- 3M Cantata 700 (Background Music Player)
- Gramophone player (Bombay player)
- Erres 3537 Cassette recorder (Vol. 2)
- Realistic TR-882 8-Trackrecorder (Vol. 2)
- Marantz SD1000 Cassette recorder
- Sony TC-252 Reel to reel recorder
- Pioneer JT-215A Timer unit
- Teac PD-H570 CD Player
- Teac MD-H500i Minidiscrecorder
- Realistic TR-882 8-Trackrecorder (Vol. 1)
- Erres 3537 Cassette recorder (Vol. 1)
The Wega B4610. A beast of a machine! This tape recorder with its gigantic 10 inch reels is still in a rather good condition. Almost all functions work as intended, except for the most important function... The machine is due for a thorough overhaul, hence it's currently occupying my workbench (which is actually to small to house even a machine of this size).
★
★
★ ★ = Difficult
Cost: Low
Page one is finished, page two will be available shortly!
The 3M Cantata 700 BMS. A beast of a device. But not without reason. This unit can play the largest music cassettes in the world.
Although designed and manufactured in America, I imported this player from Spain, though the instruction plate on top gives explanations in yet another language. So the machine already has had quite a journey. Hopefully this will be it's last for a while.
It works, but not properly. The speed is not stable and the sound cannot be adjusted properly. There are also a lot of grinding and squeaking noises from the device when it is used.
I'm going to take it apart and see if I can fix all the defects. Should I get it operational again and more importantly, playing reliably, there is a good chance that it will be used again as it's original intention.
Difficulty:
★★★★
= Difficult
Cost: Low
Page still under construction
A real old-fashioned gramophone player, at least that's what it seems at first glance, but looks can be deceiving!
I bought this one at an antique shop with a mild discount, it's operational but I can't really enjoy the sound, the speed is not stable and it makes a lot of noise when I use it.
Although I actually bought it for decoration, I still want to see if I can get it back in good condition.
Time to take it apart and fix it up! I also give you some important information about this specific type of player, of which there are remarkably many on the market!
★★★ = Medium
Cost: Low
There he is again, the Erres 3537.
This time it's serious, one of the VU meters has failed, it is a repair that would not have been necessary if I had been a little more careful myself.
Even I don't know what to do with it at the time of the problem, but in the end it will all work out.
★★★★★ = Expertise
Cost: Low
We are less than half a year later when the 8-Track recorder is back on the workbench, luckily it is minor maintenance. It plays great but recording is not going well yet. Time to set him up properly.
Difficulty:
★★★ = Hard
Cost: Low
The Marantz SD1000 Cassette Recorder. Found in a pop-up shop that sells all kinds of retro equipment and gadgets. On the first test, it seems to still work well, but could use some TLC. While cleaning I'll notice it's a bit more than that.
Difficulty:
★★ = Challenging
Cost: Low
The Sony TC-252, a reel to reel recorder from 1971. This machine came to me via, via. Though I am not interested in keeping the machine, it's a coincidence that a good acquaintance of mine had been looking for this type of machine for a long time, yet this recorder has been in a stand still for a long time and needs some maintenance.
Difficulty:
★★ = Challenging
Cost: Low
The Pioneer JT-215A Timer. A cute little device with a built-in 'flip clock'. You can use this device to switch on your audio equipment at any time of the day.
It would not work according to the description. In addition, there are more points that I need to check so let's sit down for this.
Difficulty:
★★★★ = Hard
Cost: Low