Re: [ARSCLIST] Nakamichi Tape Deck Problem

[eugene audio <eugeneaudio@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,
  Yes, as Mr. Hess suggested, you are describing a
classic tape skew problem. Specifically, the tape is
getting "crunched" between the capstan and pinch
roller.
  You can verify this by looking at the tape you've
played in that machine. If you see creases in the
tape,
typically diagonally across the tape, that will verify
your problem.
  So, you may be damaging your tapes.

  The 480 is an old model from Nak. More than likely
you are looking at replacing the pinch rollers to
reliably repair this. Problem is that does not mean
you
won't have other issues, as all the wearable parts in
there are the same age. ( capstan belt, reel clutches,
etc. ) Unless you have a good technician who
adresses all problems simultaneously, including the
ones that are likely to surface within the next year
or
so, then you risk spending money now and again soon
after.

  Any cassette deck 20 years old will likely need
service. The thin belts on cassette decks will stretch
out just sitting on the shelf. So buying another
similar vintage, unserviced unit may just bring
another set (or similar).

  Although Nakamichi had a great reputatation for
sound quality, back in the 70's and 80's, many of
their models are not cheap
to overhaul. Their newer series, BX models, had less
complicated, easier to service mechanisms. But even
8 years ago when I stopped servicing them, common
replacement parts were getting hard to come by.

  So for your budget, you may be better served to
look for something newer. There are a lot of good
tape decks out there for your purposes. You should
be able to find something good for the $ 100. to
$  125. price range in the used market.

   If you can't find what you want, contact me
off-list and I may be able to help.

Good Luck
Chris
@eugene-audio






--- Sirnailhead JR Superfly <sirnailheadjr@xxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> Hey All...
>
> I'm sort of an amateur archivist, mostly working on
> underground bands of
> the last 20 years that may have only recorded demos
> on cassette.  I
> haven't had the money for a new deck in many years
> and about 6 months ago
> I found a used Nakamichi 480 model from the mid
> 80's.  It pulled tape and
> seemed to play and record fine when I turned it up
> and seemed worth the
> $30.  I hadn't used it in a while, but when I tried
> the other day I found
> something rather strange.  The tape will play
> clearly for 20-30 seconds,
> then will start to lower in volume and have sort of
> a muddy sound, not
> unlike a tape left in the sun.  If I hit stop and
> play again it sounds
> perfect again for a similar amount of time, and it
> seems I can do this
> over and over with the same results.  Any idea what
> the problem is?  I
> cleaned the heads when I got it and there was
> nothing obviously wrong to
> my very amateur eyes.  My question would be is it
> worth the expense.
> There is a local shop that does work in Nakamichi
> and I'd bet it would
> cost $100 or more.  Do older consumer grade
> Nakamichis hold up over time
> and would it be possible to get it "tuned up" to
> make sure the speed it
> correct, heads OK, etc?  If I were to put $120-150
> into it would it
> likely be as good or better as anything I could buy
> new in the same price
> range?  I have piles of cassettes that I can't
> really do much with until
> I have a deck that works properly, but I'm not in
> the market for a new
> high end deck.  Any ideas on what other decks I
> might consider if this
> one is beyond hope would be much obliged.  Thanks.
> Randy
>