Sony TC 377 Repair
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ส.ค. 2022
- Sony TC 377 Repair, So my much-used vintage Sony TC-377 reel-to-reel tape player from the 1970s suddenly stopped working last week. Now with a mountain of old tapes still to get through can I fix it? Come with me to see if I can. I have never worked much on reel-to-reel tape recorders so not sure how this will go!
I had one in the early 70's that was stolen from my apartment in Ann Arbor....great for recording music demos back in the day! Love this video! I am motivated to buy a used one.
Yep, a great bit of kit. I have had mine for years very simple to keep going and works so well still. I have transferred many reel-to-reel tapes from this said TC377 machine to my computer and it never lets me down go for it. Thansk for the super comment. Kev.
Please be motivated to do some repair work on them too! ;o)
Well, a year on and I've just bought one! Currently working on it, I have to say - I'm delighted.
Regards.
James.
So pleased to hear you are getting on well with yours! Great stuff thanks . I love mine and still use it a great deal thanks Kev.
Brilliant. Lovely detailed video to watch. I’ve had one of these for years so I can one day digitise some of family tapes my father recorded 55 years ago. I will now confidently get my tc377 restored and working. Many thanks.
Many thanks, sorry for the delay in getting back to your kind comment I have not been very well these last few weeks so only just catching up on the comments. These Sony TCC series are great machines so basic and easy to understand and yet still work and play so well when you get them sorted out. So good luck with yours thanks. Kev.
Tell me the size of the belt you replaced.???
Please tell me the size of the drive belt???
I need their size number to change the belts. Please help me
My device model is tc_399
Thank you SO much for doing this. My TC366 is my only remaining reel to reel, and I just lost the play belt. Your video has been priceless in helping me get it going again. well done!!
Great video for studying your back. Not so much though for seeing the actual tape deck...
Well, yet again I see your own channel has no content whatsoever. So OK my videos might be rubbish that I do not deny! But I'm having ago! And look at the other comments others have found some of this useful But I accept all points of view so thanks!. K.
Thanks a lot for this video. It helped me a lot!
I'm currently bidding on a TC 377 on an online auction site. I have some precious reel to reel family tapes from the 60s that I am hoping to digitize, thanks for an excellent overview!
thanks due to you mt reel to reel back in service! i even fixed some issue in the front cluth (to much breake making the motir slip) i got a issue wen i fast foroward sadly i got to much breack from the rear reel for some reason.
Yep, these old Sony reel-to-reel machines can be quite irritating sometimes! But get them right and they still work well for sure thanks for your kind comment. Kev.
@@BramleyProductions sadl i got speed isue i feel the ruber wheel is sadly to hard. time to search for a solution on my side.
Отличное видео,поможит многим!Удачи вам и здоровья!Я тоже люблю возиться со старой аппаратурой,в коллекции имеется,кроме Grundig и многих других,даже Ferguson 1957 года.
25:23 ahh you have the same issue as me. There is a small felt brake pad that sounds like has fallen off. When you switch to stop the brake should come on and stop the capstan and instead you have metal on metal which is what makes that noise. The reason your drive belt broke is because when you stop, if the capstan flywheel doesn’t stop then the capstan pulley is still turning whilst the drive belt is held stationary because the take up spool (RH) is stopped and braked by it’s on brake. So check the little break pad and if it’s missing and you can’t purchase a new pad then go to a DIY Astor’s and buy some felt feet used to stick onto items of furniture so that that don’t scratch other surfaces. This is like a dense sort of felt and if you cut a small square off and superglue or epoxy resin it to the brake lever. It should do the job.
Many Many thanks just followed it step by step on my tc377
Same belt fault ...all up and running now phew!!
I'm sorry but I don't have a tape recorder now ,although when I did own a music centre back in the 70 s I did experience the same as you as the cassette player aged . I've no electrical experience whatsoever but enjoy watching from your videos .thanks .
Yep, belts do seem a problem on a lot of older audio kit. Mind I'm surprised these were so easy to buy in this set from ebay so I assume there must be still lots of these older Sony reels to reel tape recorders out there still Many thanks as always for your great comment. Kev.
Thank you so much. This is exactly what I need. I can now follow your instructive video in order to replace the belts (sourced from the same source as yours I notice) on my Sony TC - 366, which is nearly identical to your machine.
Hope it goes well. I have to say I found it very easy indeed! Yep, the T-366 is very much like the TC-377 in fact I would not know what the difference is even! Thanks for your kind comment. And if you do get stuck at any point doing yours, not that I know a lot re these reel-to-reel players but I will always try to help if you do hit on any problems. Kev.
@@BramleyProductions Hi Kev. I managed to replace the drive belts, following your excellent video. The machine switches on, with a tape correctly in place the middle wheel spins, the machine will rewind, but here is my problem: when I select play the flywheel spins, the drive belt moves, but the right-hand spool does not revolve, instead the belt slips in its the groove. Do you have any suggestions please. Andy
@@ajpegg2932 Hi Andy. That's a tricky one! I have to say it's always so hard to try to diagnose when you do not have the machine in front of you so sorry if this reply does not help much. And I am sure you may have looked at these suggestions already. I would take the drive belt off and see that none of the said components have seized up and are all moving free by hand it seems as you say as the drive belt is slipping something is making this happen a brake on or seized up. I know it took me a few goes to get the main big drive belt located right and then to get it all back in together right I had a few issues with that big play rewind switch not engaging quite right myself. But apart from that, my own worked really well with the new main belt and a good clean up. I take it your machine was working OK before the Belts broke. I will have a further think back as well to see if I can throw any more ideas up sorry again this has not been very positive. Kev.
@@BramleyProductions Hi Kev,
Many thanks for your help.
If I hold that small lever (normally pulled upwards by the tape) up, then the right hand spool spins at the correct speed for 'play' and 'fast forward'. However, the left hand spool is locked solid by the brake to the left of the spool. So, with a tape in place the right hand spool cannot take up the tape, instead the drive belt slips on the spool - the left hand spool is locked solid. Rewind works perfectly.
With a scalpel I removed some of the felt pads on that brake (to the left of the spool) , but to no avail.
I understand that it may be impossible for you to offer any more guidance without the machine in front of you, but just in case you a have any ideas....
Many thanks, Andy
@@ajpegg2932 Hi, Andy, that's very interesting indeed not a lot more light I can throw on this sadly as I do say this is not my field of expertise these old reel to reel machines! Now if it was an old valve radio or 405 line TV I might know a few more doges to try! However, It does sound like it has just sized up from what you say that is quite a complex system of levers and brakes on mine how they all run I did notice. I have heard that these older machines if not used in a long while can freeze up if you can trace the brake that sticks on back to see how that is all linked into the equation. I mean they are very all-mechanical linkages! So that might be a way forward I know some of those hook link strips of metal that look like coat hanger wire that acts as leavers do and can fall off very easily! As mine did apart from that you might need to dig deep and disassemble even more and clean and just slightly lube all links and moving parts etc. very sparingly. Do please let me know what you find in the end I'm sure you will crack it as basically they are quite a simple machine. Kev.
You can also rotate the chassis through 180 degrees in the case and you can use the machine flat instead of standing upright
very helpful, thank you!
You are so welcome! And thanks for the kind comment. K.
Tell me the size of the belt you replaced.???
Please tell me the size of the drive belt???
I need their size number to change the belts. Please help me
My device model is tc_399
@@majidasadi4897 I am sorry I have no idea of the size belts you need! As let me explain here in the UK we are able to buy a set of belts off ebay for the Sony TC-366 & TC-377 there are no sizes given in the set of belts you just buy them as a set for this tape machine! I have no idea if they would fit another Sony reel-to-reel tape recorder! other than the TC-366 & TC-377.
Thanks so much for this video mate!!!
No probs glad you might have found it of interest and thanks for your kind comment. Kev.
Of cause I did!:)on monday a friend will bring the same machine to my place,so let´s see what happens,right?Love & Peace
@@BramleyProductions
@@adamkrollmusic Thanks Had mine many years now and a great machine. So easy to use and fix yourself. And works well transferring old reel-to-reel tapes over to my computer. I would not be without mine Thanks gon for your most kind comments. Kev.
Great job.I can not get the 'y' shape tention brake back on the left spool.It will not go back on the pin.How do I get the pin to move away from the spool???
Remember one of these at a Hospital Radio Station I was on back in the 80s
Yes, they are a good very robust easy-to-use reel-to-reel tape machine maybe not the best but well built and dependable for sure and easy to repair and get going even if you find one that has not been used in many years. Thanks, Kev.
Did a similar video of one of these on my TH-cam channel a few years back
7:11 - How to take the pause knob off? RTFM! both the user and the service mauals say how to remove the front cover. Apart from this, thanks for the nice and helpful video.
Watching your video repairing the TC 3777 was fascinating.. my problem is the selector switch is locked into what we whine or fast forward to replay. I've been told that the grease locking the selector in place. Does this sound reasonable
Sorry for the delay! And yep, these old tape machines are all mechanical inside and often do need a good clean the old grease needs coming off and new grease but it is quite a job stripping one of these old Sony TCC-377 right down but worth it for sure. I think that may well be your problem. Thanks, sorry for the delay getting back to you. kev.
There's a recording on e Bay of George at the capitol Compton. I was a trust member before the organ was gifted to the trust . Its in storage at present .there's also a recording of George at the asteria aberdeen on u tube also .sorry , its not e Bay you'll find these recordings although cassettes were available through aberdeen theatre organ trust .also one of bryan rodwell at the capitol in eighties .May come up on e Bay .
Thanks, will look out for that I have since finished the download via the Sony now it's working on to my computer so the George Blackmore Astoria Aberdeen will be coming soon. Glad to hear you were a trust member of this fine Compton organ. I have noted on this 1954 broadcast that George has some sort of basic electronic keyboard he plays on some of his programme alongside the Compton. Thanks again Kev.
Do you know if there could be asbestos insulation somewhere inside?
That head assembly is very similar to that used on the TC-645. I'm currently working on the said machine, and I have noticed visible erase head wear (yes 'erase head'!) due to RW/FF action. It appears that the bar that pushes the tape away from the heads during RW/FF is not quite clearing the tape from the erase head? I wonder, have you noticed wear on your erase head too?, I'm wondering if this a common flaw in the design?
Cheers.
I have not noticed any wear on my head but will look in closer detail now you say about your own findings great tip for all with these older Sony reel-to-reel tape players to watch out for thanks for your great comment. Kev.
On my newly acquired TC-377, there is sufficient clearance, so no mild erase head wear. :o)
I just tried to use my dad old unit and it will fast forward and rewind but it won't play you can hear the motor turning so I guess it has a belt just for the play speed?
Yes, that's right this belt I changed here was for the tape play. I had left mine playing recording an old tape to my computer which OK you should never leave old equipment on its own! And when I came back a few minutes later the tape was spooling every wear as the play belt had broken yet the tape was still coming through! but not winding on the spool as it should as the spool was not turning with the belt broke. Easy fix belt kits were available from ebay where I got mine from took about an hour to fit. Thanks, Kev.
where did u get the belt
I got mine from ebay see link seems well-made belts and a fair price to and came very quick Kev.www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304621934868?hash=item46ece1d914:g:3bgAAOSwNnRYlKhH&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoEcs%2FamgMExmT%2BcOzMURqPaZ78l%2BUA24lxXABbBHTd4Vf3Pt%2Fet3jlU%2FH%2Bp4KqMn%2FlxNGFUCcAs3B%2BV4vS%2Fj%2BsaS4iAcDCsRG2GNwtjyVhyHYmcv6HtQUm201%2Fy%2Fpiegn2NmeGRO07NBLb2vpXpo9Vz7edaUYlEwNdKqowr26o%2F7VPyumkyxiiDqS2Bb9u%2BdMDEEaMvJgPiB2KsGCBGt%2BMM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4zMlI7zYA
Hello Sir, i have a Sony TC 660 and i am not finding its capstan wheel belt i sourced it from e bay but a short belt was shipped , can you help me in finding a store where i can get TC 660 belt and servive manual ,i am writing to you from India
Where do I get the belt kits?
Mine came from ebay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304831649381?hash=item46f961d665:g:6EYAAOSwFClkCJKQ&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwIskQc0M5D1odW5ZHmuUsvu1mghC97of0BXKnBpXkSAoHZCykHdNHO2wq3G71Ovh2ixUL7ump0X8V%2FnpiG2hX5BVNIEqYWwLiQl3DFDoc47Nzp6JaW2QCmQDKzIZwFXear%2FizKsk59bHNcHXxOU%2BvwbFO85H5%2FwNvU1ITF7KjgjZvWKFT7MojSoyallMh35OK29byG21E6xgRxGn8aMyaMYTGxWTcBF2G1pFmJO3V9OYM0Nk87ti6CR4COKiLxY%2Fkw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5yqzZ-9Yg
Tell me the size of the belt you replaced.???
Please tell me the size of the drive belt???
I need their size number to change the belts. Please help me
My device model is tc_399
Although I didn’t show the removal of the front panel, I did show and explain that there is a left hand thread on the pause lever and you have to turn it to the right to remove it.
th-cam.com/video/xsfy1rvZBDg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EKNiSswC2UZCxlSd
My device model is tc_399
Buy yourself isopropyl alcohol in bulk (I buy mine by the gallon) for electronic repair and tape deck cleaning, linen and and cotton buds are much better than the tissue soaked with isopropanol. Also with tape decks with mechanical linkages and lots of rubber, buy rubber renue (take bio precautions with this stuff) or some sort of rubber cleaning compound as the idler wheels and pinch roller will require servicing from time to time. These are a bastard to work on due to the one motor driving everything, made in 1973-4 all the mechanical linkages , idler wheels and alike make it a hard machine to keep going due to wear. The three motor machines are much better to work on such as a Revox A77, B77 and the better TEAC models (Tascam). I am an electronics tech of fifty years in the trade, mainly in the RAAF and teaching electronics to trainees as well as a SGT.
To keep these machines in good order operational parameters should be checked and rectified as required. Test equipment is required to do this task, the service manual (obtainable on line) indicates the required instruments plus a certified test tape and a 7" blank tape to carry out recording service requirements.
The TC-366 is circa 1971-72 the model before and didn't have the reel locking mechanism but used rubber cups to hold the reels in place which became hard and unusable. Lets face it Sony manufactures didn't think they would still be being used fifty years down the track
Enjoy the work, yes as a teenager I repaired radios and televisions as well, the Chinese have made that difficult now by not providing service documentation. Have fun. 😏 Robert
Great idea thanks Kev.
kamera za zádama 😅