There are 3 versions of this deck. A, B and C. The A version has the grey face plate and a bulging tape counter. Yours appears to be the B version with the flat tape counter. The C version has a black face plate, flat tape counter and locking hub reels. The A version has a unique amplifier section. The B and C amps are interchangeable. The little spring retainer you looked at in the beginning of your video is for storing the smaller capstan sleeve that you are missing. The lip on the pinch roller keeps the sleeve in place when playing tapes. Finding the correct belt for these units is critical to minimize the wow and flutter. The First Achilles heel of these units are the disintegrating pot metal cams behind the tape control levers. The second is the 18 pin board edge connector that splits in half and causes problems with the 8-track deck. i found a cheap fix for this by wrapping a couple of layers of fiberglass tape around the connector. I have one example of each of each of these versions. My personal favorite is the black bezel C version that I have owned for over 50 years.
You have my full attention 😀 I know what the surprise is, with only watching the first 30 seconds and recognising the model, but I won’t spoil the surprise for others…..
I have an earlier make of one of these. My first reel-to-reel. However, it’s busted. I got it from a junk store for $5. It’s missing the top legs on the back, the cover, the lower head cover, the capstan sleeve, I could go on. It’s also electronically screwed up in many ways, but it still kind of works. Some things you may want to know about it: The pin to the upper left of the capstan holds the 7 1/2 ips capstan sleeve, though it looks like the previous owner bent it to get the 15ips sleeve to fit. Speaking of speeds, you use no capstan sleeve and put the speed to “low” for 1 7/8ips. 3 3/4 is done w/ no capstan sleeve and the speed switch on “high”. 7 1/2ips is done with the small capstan sleeve(I think you had one with the other accessories), the large pinch roller and the speed switch on “high”. 15ips is done by using the large capstan sleeve with the small pinch roller and the speed on “high”. You can retract the felt tape cleaner by pushing it to the right, it will clip in place away from the tape, and can be released by pressing the silver button to the left bottom of it. Lastly, I’d be careful with the transport controls. The cams that operate play/ff/rewind are pot metal and crumble after so many years. It happened to mine, and now I can’t use the rewind or fast forward. Great find!
After you clean and grease everything, if that doesn't fix it just try letting it run for a couple of hours. it just may need to loosen up a bit that way after sitting so long. just a thought. Take care...
$20 nice price. A little grease, a little deox, a little cleaning, and a little prayer should get it all working. Can it record from 8-track to reel to reel tape? Great video!
Yes. You can record either direction with this machine. I have a slightly newer unit (it's X1800-SD type B), but have not used it to transfer 8-tracks. I have a separate machine for that.
The music on the reel sound like something out of a 70's carry-on film. (most people probably don't even know what those are so I'll explain, they were a series of somewhat raunchy comedies made here in the UK)
How fun! I’m sure the 8-track will loosen up with a bit of work. Make sure you use the right pitch roller with the corresponding capstan sleeve. The sleeve is what determines the speed, and there should be two of them. The pinch roller just makes sure the appropriate pressure is applied.
As you were playing the 8 track, I noticed that the capstan was spinning the pinch roller, which it should not. That is because it is wrong to have that sleeve on. That sleeve should be used with the small pinch roller. That possibly added to the problems the 8 track was having. Nothing would be in the correct place with that sleeve and roller, including the tape path, so the right channel may have also been affected. Good Find. Worth sorting out. Cheers.
I’m hoping I have better experience with this Akai X-150D I got. The last 2 Akais I had had issues. I’m sure I can get my GX-280D’s bias oscillator repaired and it will record again. But the M-8 I’m thinking of parting out since that one has pot metal cams that broke. I have no idea what in the world Akai/Roberts was thinking making them out of pot metal.
@@Recordology BTW did you know you can get a capstan sleeve and Pinch roller to do 15IPS on these Akais? There were also Wollensak recorders that did the EXTRA economy speed of 15/16 IPS. I actually have a couple tapes recorded at that speed from 1967. they got a whole 4 hour meeting about water rescue on the Chesapeake on one of these full reels!
Congrats record-ology my friend! I FINALLY got that 1907 Edison Triumph (and probably about over 100 cylinders) but it needs some parts! I got 2 free reel to reel decks. Not as nice as yours though. (Akai X-150D and a Sony TC-277-4) and a Zenith Digilite stereo (nothing too special but a really cool display for 1974)
I figured it out when you first said "big surprise". I have this same model Akai. Years ago, a friend had the 'Roberts' version, with the 8-track, in a black vinyl covered wood case. For some reason, many of the Roberts had grey or black grained vinyl covering, while many of the Akais had wood veneer. I haven't read all the comments, but those two "things" are mic-stands. At least, with the optional 15 ips sleeve, you can switch the motor speed lower and it will function at 7.5 ips. As for rare, I also have an Akai reel-deck with 8-track AND cassette. Can't provide the model # as it's at my other place. I need to drag some of my Akais out and see if they still work!
I knew the suprise when you showed the deck my dad had one when i was a kid and i continue the tradition i have a teac x1000r and x2000r, two 4ch docorder 7140s and tascam 34b 4ch
I've got one of these guys(dug it out of a dumpster) It's in good condition and ran fine as found.I went through it anyways just to make sure nothing was out of place.This is a fairly reliable machine,certainly less finicky than some of the other decks I have.While it's not the most sophisticated machine,I give it two thumbs up for being so well built...If you find one cheap or free,grab it!
I own 2 Akai m-8"s a m-7 and a m-9 something to be aware of is the play / record and the forward and reverse handles cam s were made from pretty poor metal and will snap if forced so be gentle with them.
It's a surprise only if you don't know audio equipment very well. Akai did all sorts of stuff. At least one of its models had open reel, 8-track And cassette. Cross Field is Not a bias adjustment. What it does is apply the bias from a separate head rather than combining it with the signal going to the record head, with the bias gap a tiny bit ahead of the record gap. Properly done, it greatly improves high frequency response. I have an X-330D. Nice old clanker. Also a GX280D (the stereo version, not the 4-channel) in beautiful condition.
I think Techmoan would love to have one of those. It’s the first one of its kind I’ve seen a cartridge and open reel recording machine combo. Thanks for sharing.
So for clarification, you're missing the standard capstan sleeve that these came with. There's a smaller one that when your speed switch is set to low, it'll play back at 3/34 ips. when you switch it to high, it'll play back at 7/12 ips. The capstan sleeve that you have on it in the video is meant for it to 15 ips if you have a tape that's been recorded at that speed. So if you play it with the speed switch set to high and your pre recorded tape was recorded at 7/12 ips, it's going to sound like chipmunks. Make sense? I have lots of sleeves that fit your model because I've owned several of these along with an AKAI X-150D. Let me know what's a good way to contact you so I can send you one free of charge.
@@Recordology From what I can remember, yes you can transfer between the 3 formats. I’d be interested to hear how yours sounds if you fix it up. I know what a decent reel sounds like, but have never heard what the “secret” lol sounds like up and running, as part of the machine.
In Japan, their power system is 100V 50hz in eastern Japan and 60hz in the western part of the country. Bizarre as it is, that is why you see the frequency switch. The issue goes way back to the early days of electrification of Japan with AEG supplying 50hz generation and GE supplying the other frequency. Also as for as the old transistors, I think that you meant to say silicon rather than silicone. A the two are completely unrelated from a material perspective. I was hoping that the surprise was that the deck would play back staggered stereo tapes.
superb find, congrats man. it is in a really good condition. may need a little service. 5:28 tape tensioner and automatic off switch when reel spools off either in play mode or in reverse and forward (the little switch between play and rewind/forward levers, turn that on to make it work). 5:57 that is a sleeve holder. 21:20 wrong combination of sleeve and roller (use big sleeve and small roller while 15 ips ). 21:40 and i was like no, no, no , push it left, push it left . check the belts and capacitors too. esp near the motor 2 µF and .8 µF,(mostly in single packing) and 1 µF. must say "Nice Video"
this one i have been wanting for a good while. i do have an akai 8 track deck which is very rare which its a cr-81 which has a tone control where it is designed to drive a set of external speakers. i have never seen anyone else have the cr-81 the cr-81d was more common of a model and where it would have had the tone control it has a badge marked cartridge recorder. the 8-track only deck weighs around 19 to 20 lbs
Half way thru I’m guessing cassette recorder? If you have any Akai’s or Robert’s with tube amps that you wouldn’t mind letting go of I’ll be happy to take them off your hands if the price is right.They’ll get a lot more use as guitar amps and preamps. They can sound fantastic. Ohhh I was gonna say 8-track but the record button thru me off! This unit was probably made just for people to record onto 8tracks in case the tech won over cassettes. Those yellow things are mic holders. That’s some funky music on the 8-track!!
That's a fabulous looking machine!! 🙂 A bit of learning; a lot of Deoxit, a fair amount of Isopropanol, and you may well get it sounding great! Some Windex on that main big pinch roller wouldn't hurt either! Never seen a Reel-to-Reel with an 8-Track player built-in before... that is a Gem, and quite possibly, by now, rather rare, so do what you can to get it going again in all it's former glory... 😉👍
Wow, that’s quite a find! I purchased a used Akai reel to reel about 30 years ago In England. It was a similar style with the wood case, but it was the smaller model . I paid £100 pounds for it then. It outlasted a newer Teac X 3r model. My mum still has it in England but it was too heavy to bring to the USA !
I wouldn’t really call this unit rare, I saw 4 of them being sold here at once and all were cheap too. I am happy that I didn’t get it though for reasons. 1. That isn’t a tensioner, that is an auto stop 2. There are capstan sleeves and that *thing* is the sleeve holder 3. The fingernail trick isn’t true as consumer deck heads are designed to withstand a lot of wear 4. This is not anywhere near prosumer grade 5. That “yellowing” is uhhhh actually means this was used by a smoker so that’s nice 6. It’s a fully idler drive deck and not a belt drive 7. The hertz selector in the front is for the mechanics (that’s why it screws in and out) and the one at the back is for the electronics which is kinda useless imo 8. You have to press the button under the pause lever to unpause it. Please don’t pull on it 9. Now that it’s unpaused it’ll work in 1 7/8 and 3 3/4 too. The mech shouldn’t move tape during pause. I think there is a 15 ips setting you need to activate (?) but you’re the one with the manual so please read it Please read the manual before using something because you may damage the medium it uses/machine itself
Mine was full of issues so I passed it along. However, my Akai GX4000D is my workhorse. It has glass heads and just works great. Check out our video on that. th-cam.com/video/eqZ6uvIfAmQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=YKv8sPW_PCSa9m9I
That Pinch roller isn't suppose to be flat! It has a lip on it to keep the capstan sleeve on! You probably figured that out! I have this exact machine. Got it for $45.00 then spent another $15.00 for a new used playback head. It's a great machine once you clean it up and relube everything. It will have a great sound once you clean switches and fix that right channel.
I've just got this magnificent machine back. Unfortunately, the capstan sleeve is missing at around 21 minutes into your video! So my belt isn't in contact... Where can I get this part? What is its exact name so that I can use the right keywords? Thanks in advance DeepL
I think you'll need to take the cover off and give it a really good going over. The lack of right channel is a bit of a concern. Maybe the playback head needs a greater clean, but if that's OK it will be something in the playback circuitry.
Happy days,! Think you got a bargain there. Suspect it needs an overhaul as been sitting for ages. Still s bargain though. Would not be cheap to buy in the UK.
hi have one the same as well in the uk i have seen some the 1800ss is better i have 2 people used to put them up for sell in the uk all the time i have a very hard to find deck only 6 were made the brannel 600 14 inch 2 inch tape 16 tracks and it still working and a scully 280-14 deck it's in a very bad way i put up ad all over the uk in the 90's there's not many left in the uk now
6 minutes into the video, I think the "surprise" is something to do with the words "Cartridge Super Deluxe?" ...... Does the machine play Cartridges or Cassettes of some sort? I'll continue watching, and we'll find out? ...... At 10:54 I see "Cart" and "Reel" selector buttons! ..... 14:32 yes, I was right! More problems with correct pronunciation? "Gerrard" instead of the correct "Garrard," and "Silicone" Transistors, instead of "Silicon" (silly con) Transistors! Silicone is a type of artificial plastic/ rubber material.
Gerard Stroh*** Record-ology*** I Know What you Did Wrong*** First on the 8 track Player Part the Tape Speed Must Be Set On Low and must be Turn to The Left**** And Also You Had The Wrong Pinch Roller Installed and If You Use The 15 ips Speed you Must Use The Small Pinch Roller**** and if you Use The Lower Speed You Must Use The Larger Pinch Roller and Don't Use The Capstand Sleeve**** I Know This Because I Have The Same Akai X-1800sd Tape Deck**** All From Gerard Stroh****
There are 3 versions of this deck. A, B and C. The A version has the grey face plate and a bulging tape counter. Yours appears to be the B version with the flat tape counter. The C version has a black face plate, flat tape counter and locking hub reels. The A version has a unique amplifier section. The B and C amps are interchangeable. The little spring retainer you looked at in the beginning of your video is for storing the smaller capstan sleeve that you are missing. The lip on the pinch roller keeps the sleeve in place when playing tapes. Finding the correct belt for these units is critical to minimize the wow and flutter. The First Achilles heel of these units are the disintegrating pot metal cams behind the tape control levers. The second is the 18 pin board edge connector that splits in half and causes problems with the 8-track deck. i found a cheap fix for this by wrapping a couple of layers of fiberglass tape around the connector. I have one example of each of each of these versions. My personal favorite is the black bezel C version that I have owned for over 50 years.
I think you mean "larger" capstan sleeve since it would be placed over what he has.
The two things with legs are mic stands
Those two gadgets you were wondering about may be microphone stands.
They may be holders for small mikes. I have some like them.
Absolutely microphone stands
You have my full attention 😀
I know what the surprise is, with only watching the first 30 seconds and recognising the model, but I won’t spoil the surprise for others…..
I have an earlier make of one of these. My first reel-to-reel. However, it’s busted. I got it from a junk store for $5. It’s missing the top legs on the back, the cover, the lower head cover, the capstan sleeve, I could go on. It’s also electronically screwed up in many ways, but it still kind of works.
Some things you may want to know about it:
The pin to the upper left of the capstan holds the 7 1/2 ips capstan sleeve, though it looks like the previous owner bent it to get the 15ips sleeve to fit. Speaking of speeds, you use no capstan sleeve and put the speed to “low” for 1 7/8ips. 3 3/4 is done w/ no capstan sleeve and the speed switch on “high”. 7 1/2ips is done with the small capstan sleeve(I think you had one with the other accessories), the large pinch roller and the speed switch on “high”. 15ips is done by using the large capstan sleeve with the small pinch roller and the speed on “high”.
You can retract the felt tape cleaner by pushing it to the right, it will clip in place away from the tape, and can be released by pressing the silver button to the left bottom of it. Lastly, I’d be careful with the transport controls. The cams that operate play/ff/rewind are pot metal and crumble after so many years. It happened to mine, and now I can’t use the rewind or fast forward.
Great find!
Seeing that 1234 at the bottom immediately tipped me off to what that is! 😁
Record ology your rtr with a huge surprise AKAI x 1800 SD is cool
After you clean and grease everything, if that doesn't fix it just try letting it run for a couple of hours. it just may need to loosen up a bit that way after sitting so long. just a thought. Take care...
The smaller pinch wheel is for when using the larger capstan sleeve :)
$20 nice price. A little grease, a little deox, a little cleaning, and a little prayer should get it all working. Can it record from 8-track to reel to reel tape? Great video!
Yes. You can record either direction with this machine. I have a slightly newer unit (it's X1800-SD type B), but have not used it to transfer 8-tracks. I have a separate machine for that.
@@billwheeler8081 correction only reel to 8 track transfer.. ( not 8 track to reel )
man awesome show I have no idea what to do with the track however you probably know more than I do thanks
The music on the reel sound like something out of a 70's carry-on film. (most people probably don't even know what those are so I'll explain, they were a series of somewhat raunchy comedies made here in the UK)
How fun! I’m sure the 8-track will loosen up with a bit of work.
Make sure you use the right pitch roller with the corresponding capstan sleeve. The sleeve is what determines the speed, and there should be two of them. The pinch roller just makes sure the appropriate pressure is applied.
Congratulations, man. What fun. I can't believe the belts aren't bad.
As you were playing the 8 track, I noticed that the capstan was spinning the pinch roller, which it should not. That is because it is wrong to have that sleeve on. That sleeve should be used with the small pinch roller. That possibly added to the problems the 8 track was having. Nothing would be in the correct place with that sleeve and roller, including the tape path, so the right channel may have also been affected. Good Find. Worth sorting out. Cheers.
I’m hoping I have better experience with this Akai X-150D I got. The last 2 Akais I had had issues. I’m sure I can get my GX-280D’s bias oscillator repaired and it will record again. But the M-8 I’m thinking of parting out since that one has pot metal cams that broke. I have no idea what in the world Akai/Roberts was thinking making them out of pot metal.
I’ve heard about that
@@Recordology BTW did you know you can get a capstan sleeve and Pinch roller to do 15IPS on these Akais?
There were also Wollensak recorders that did the EXTRA economy speed of 15/16 IPS. I actually have a couple tapes recorded at that speed from 1967. they got a whole 4 hour meeting about water rescue on the Chesapeake on one of these full reels!
Congrats record-ology my friend! I FINALLY got that 1907 Edison Triumph (and probably about over 100 cylinders) but it needs some parts!
I got 2 free reel to reel decks. Not as nice as yours though. (Akai X-150D and a Sony TC-277-4) and a Zenith Digilite stereo (nothing too special but a really cool display for 1974)
I love your videos,and look forward to the follow-up video,regarding this unit !
I figured it out when you first said "big surprise". I have this same model Akai. Years ago, a friend had the 'Roberts' version, with the 8-track, in a black vinyl covered wood case. For some reason, many of the Roberts had grey or black grained vinyl covering, while many of the Akais had wood veneer. I haven't read all the comments, but those two "things" are mic-stands. At least, with the optional 15 ips sleeve, you can switch the motor speed lower and it will function at 7.5 ips. As for rare, I also have an Akai reel-deck with 8-track AND cassette. Can't provide the model # as it's at my other place. I need to drag some of my Akais out and see if they still work!
The 2 "what is thats" in the accessories are the microphone stands I believe.
I knew the suprise when you showed the deck my dad had one when i was a kid and i continue the tradition i have a teac x1000r and x2000r, two 4ch docorder 7140s and tascam 34b 4ch
I've got one of these guys(dug it out of a dumpster) It's in good condition and ran fine as found.I went through it anyways just to make sure nothing was out of place.This is a fairly
reliable machine,certainly less finicky than some of the other decks I have.While it's not the most sophisticated machine,I give it two thumbs up for being so well built...If you find one cheap or free,grab it!
I own 2 Akai m-8"s a m-7 and a m-9 something to be aware of is the play / record and the forward and reverse handles cam s were made from pretty poor metal and will snap if forced so be gentle with them.
i remember these first coming out when i was starting high school
I have an Akai GX 215D. I've been a r2r fan for years. They're fun to have.
It's a surprise only if you don't know audio equipment very well.
Akai did all sorts of stuff. At least one of its models had open reel, 8-track And cassette.
Cross Field is Not a bias adjustment.
What it does is apply the bias from a separate head rather than combining it with the signal going to the record head,
with the bias gap a tiny bit ahead of the record gap. Properly done, it greatly improves high frequency response.
I have an X-330D. Nice old clanker. Also a GX280D (the stereo version, not the 4-channel) in beautiful condition.
This did have a sleeve that goes over the capstan. Without the sleeve it is 1 7/8 IPS and 3 3/4 IPs with the sleeve on 3 3/4 IPS and 7 1/2 IPS.
I think Techmoan would love to have one of those. It’s the first one of its kind I’ve seen a cartridge and open reel recording machine combo. Thanks for sharing.
So for clarification, you're missing the standard capstan sleeve that these came with. There's a smaller one that when your speed switch is set to low, it'll play back at 3/34 ips. when you switch it to high, it'll play back at 7/12 ips.
The capstan sleeve that you have on it in the video is meant for it to 15 ips if you have a tape that's been recorded at that speed. So if you play it with the speed switch set to high and your pre recorded tape was recorded at 7/12 ips, it's going to sound like chipmunks. Make sense? I have lots of sleeves that fit your model because I've owned several of these along with an AKAI X-150D.
Let me know what's a good way to contact you so I can send you one free of charge.
I forgot to add, if you can find a Akai X-2000XD, you’ll find a 3rd surprise on it
Wow!
@@Recordology From what I can remember, yes you can transfer between the 3 formats.
I’d be interested to hear how yours sounds if you fix it up. I know what a decent reel sounds like, but have never heard what the “secret” lol sounds like up and running, as part of the machine.
I guessed the 'surprise' from the thumbnail, but I used to own a GX-1820D...
In Japan, their power system is 100V 50hz in eastern Japan and 60hz in the western part of the country. Bizarre as it is, that is why you see the frequency switch. The issue goes way back to the early days of electrification of Japan with AEG supplying 50hz generation and GE supplying the other frequency. Also as for as the old transistors, I think that you meant to say silicon rather than silicone. A the two are completely unrelated from a material perspective. I was hoping that the surprise was that the deck would play back staggered stereo tapes.
DeOx, grease (Mobil One), belts and professional look at swollen caps.
superb find, congrats man. it is in a really good condition. may need a little service. 5:28 tape tensioner and automatic off switch when reel spools off either in play mode or in reverse and forward (the little switch between play and rewind/forward levers, turn that on to make it work). 5:57 that is a sleeve holder. 21:20 wrong combination of sleeve and roller (use big sleeve and small roller while 15 ips ). 21:40 and i was like no, no, no , push it left, push it left . check the belts and capacitors too. esp near the motor 2 µF and .8 µF,(mostly in single packing) and 1 µF.
must say "Nice Video"
The clip on the front is for the capstan sleeve that appears to be missing
24:24 🤣 *OOOPS* !! That wasn't supposed to happen! 😏🤭
this one i have been wanting for a good while. i do have an akai 8 track deck which is very rare which its a cr-81 which has a tone control where it is designed to drive a set of external speakers. i have never seen anyone else have the cr-81 the cr-81d was more common of a model and where it would have had the tone control it has a badge marked cartridge recorder. the 8-track only deck weighs around 19 to 20 lbs
Isn't it fun to watch this stuff come to life again?
I think the speakers are Fostex. I have 2 Roberts feild recorders very similar and a little more beefy.
just found mine in a dumpster working ,made my day ...
Half way thru I’m guessing cassette recorder? If you have any Akai’s or Robert’s with tube amps that you wouldn’t mind letting go of I’ll be happy to take them off your hands if the price is right.They’ll get a lot more use as guitar amps and preamps. They can sound fantastic. Ohhh I was gonna say 8-track but the record button thru me off! This unit was probably made just for people to record onto 8tracks in case the tech won over cassettes. Those yellow things are mic holders. That’s some funky music on the 8-track!!
That's a fabulous looking machine!! 🙂
A bit of learning; a lot of Deoxit, a fair amount of Isopropanol, and you may well get it sounding great!
Some Windex on that main big pinch roller wouldn't hurt either!
Never seen a Reel-to-Reel with an 8-Track player built-in before... that is a Gem, and quite possibly, by now, rather rare, so do what you can to get it going again in all it's former glory... 😉👍
Wow, that’s quite a find! I purchased a used Akai reel to reel about 30 years ago In England. It was a similar style with the wood case, but it was the smaller model . I paid £100 pounds for it then. It outlasted a newer Teac X 3r model. My mum still has it in England but it was too heavy to bring to the USA !
I wouldn’t really call this unit rare, I saw 4 of them being sold here at once and all were cheap too. I am happy that I didn’t get it though for reasons.
1. That isn’t a tensioner, that is an auto stop
2. There are capstan sleeves and that *thing* is the sleeve holder
3. The fingernail trick isn’t true as consumer deck heads are designed to withstand a lot of wear
4. This is not anywhere near prosumer grade
5. That “yellowing” is uhhhh actually means this was used by a smoker so that’s nice
6. It’s a fully idler drive deck and not a belt drive
7. The hertz selector in the front is for the mechanics (that’s why it screws in and out) and the one at the back is for the electronics which is kinda useless imo
8. You have to press the button under the pause lever to unpause it. Please don’t pull on it
9. Now that it’s unpaused it’ll work in 1 7/8 and 3 3/4 too. The mech shouldn’t move tape during pause. I think there is a 15 ips setting you need to activate (?) but you’re the one with the manual so please read it
Please read the manual before using something because you may damage the medium it uses/machine itself
I think that extra pitch roller is a spare. You can replace it with the new one.
You don’t change the pinch roller to change the speed. You put a sleeve on the capstan shaft.
Akai made great equipment
Excelent review. What are final thought do you recommend will by one soon... Thanks
Mine was full of issues so I passed it along. However, my Akai GX4000D is my workhorse. It has glass heads and just works great. Check out our video on that. th-cam.com/video/eqZ6uvIfAmQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=YKv8sPW_PCSa9m9I
That Pinch roller isn't suppose to be flat! It has a lip on it to keep the capstan sleeve on! You probably figured that out! I have this exact machine. Got it for $45.00 then spent another $15.00 for a new used playback head. It's a great machine once you clean it up and relube everything. It will have a great sound once you clean switches and fix that right channel.
It does have a lip
The newer versions had a thumb screw into the shaft to keep the capstan sleeve in place.
What was wrong with your original R/P head? I would guess either an open winding or it's worn so much the tape doesn't touch the pole pieces.
roller's go hard in side the deck easy to make the 15 ips roller 16mm roller
Wow! I never knew such a machine existed. Very cool!!
I would assume the 50/60 switch is for 50 or 60 hz AC line frequency.
Does that unit have a voltage selector switch? That might explain why the 8-track is running fast.
Yet another good find.
Well done.
Mine has an 8 track player. Cracked head tho that always seems to be the issue with 8 track.
I've just got this magnificent machine back.
Unfortunately, the capstan sleeve is missing at around 21 minutes into your video! So my belt isn't in contact... Where can I get this part? What is its exact name so that I can use the right keywords? Thanks in advance DeepL
I think you'll need to take the cover off and give it a really good going over. The lack of right channel is a bit of a concern. Maybe the playback head needs a greater clean, but if that's OK it will be something in the playback circuitry.
Wow, great, fantastics! And a cool Price! :-) Ist mein Englisch korrekt? ;-p
Perfect!
Great machine, what a find!
they also make one with a cassette player in it x2000sd
Record ology your utube videos are awesome
Record ology your AKAI 1800 SD the 8 track is cool
Record ology your AKAI x 18oo SD sound good
Hello
I have the same unit but don’t have the user manual
Would you be willing to make a pdf copy and share it?
Thanks much
at 3 minutes I'm guessing an8 track player also because of the 4 red buttons which suggests 4 track
Probably needs belts on the 8 track. A lot of slipping going on during playback.
This is a great video
It is for microphone stand
Happy days,! Think you got a bargain there. Suspect it needs an overhaul as been sitting for ages. Still s bargain though. Would not be cheap to buy in the UK.
Cost a fortune when it first come out.
Very coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool. :)
hi have one the same as well in the uk i have seen some the 1800ss is better i have 2 people used to put them up for sell in the uk all the time
i have a very hard to find deck only 6 were made the brannel 600 14 inch 2 inch tape 16 tracks and it still working
and a scully 280-14 deck it's in a very bad way i put up ad all over the uk in the 90's there's not many left in the uk now
Muy buen equipo
6 minutes into the video, I think the "surprise" is something to do with the words "Cartridge Super Deluxe?" ...... Does the machine play Cartridges or Cassettes of some sort? I'll continue watching, and we'll find out? ...... At 10:54 I see "Cart" and "Reel" selector buttons! ..... 14:32 yes, I was right!
More problems with correct pronunciation? "Gerrard" instead of the correct "Garrard," and "Silicone" Transistors, instead of "Silicon" (silly con) Transistors! Silicone is a type of artificial plastic/ rubber material.
Saludos !
Interesting...
I don't care what they tell you. It's Garrard like George, not gack.
Won a watch for 20 dollars.
Gerard Stroh***
Record-ology***
I Know What you Did Wrong***
First on the 8 track Player Part the Tape Speed Must Be Set On Low and must be Turn to The Left****
And Also You Had The Wrong Pinch Roller Installed and If You Use The 15 ips Speed you Must Use The Small Pinch Roller****
and if you Use The Lower Speed You Must Use The Larger Pinch Roller and Don't Use The Capstand Sleeve****
I Know This Because I Have The Same Akai X-1800sd Tape Deck****
All From Gerard Stroh****
I’ll,give you 40$ for it you can double your money
microphone stands
Donate to Goodwill