Links
for Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Enthusiasts
Tape
recorder enthusiasts are always looking for a good source for parts, which
are getting harder and harder to find. This page has links to vendors we
used in the Wollensak 5750 reel to reel tape recorder restoration/rebuild
project. We offer them in hopes they can help others with their projects.
All links were live and valid as of December 2007.
We
don't repair or rebuild tape recorders. This site is to highlight our composer-in-resident's
fascinating adventure with his Wollensak machine. If you are looking for
help in restoring a machine you have, be it Akai, Roberts, Sony, etc., we
strongly suggest you visit the Web sites listed
here. They too have a links page, and by going from link to link, you may
find the help you are seeking. Finding answers to questions and solutions
to problems often requires a lot of research, there's just no way around
it. This Links page can at least give you a start.
Another
potential source for help, believe it or not, if "YouTube" (see
link at bottom of this page.)
There are several videos by people about their tape recorders (who knew reel
to reel machines were still so popular?) and you might be able to see something
or contact someone there, who can lead you in the right direction. Just search "tape
recorder" when you go to You Tube and take a look at the results. At
the worst, you'll see some interesting (or not) videos. At best, you may
find a lead to getting your question answered.
Rubber
Rollers and Other Parts
This
is probably the biggest area of concern for reel to reel tape enthusiasts,
and no matter how vintage your audio equipment, you'll eventually need belts
and idlers. Here are some vendors we used who proved to us to be worthy of
our business.
Terry's
Rubber Rollers - Terry apparently makes new idlers and rubber part himself.
He doesn't ship them out that we know of. His work is excellent and his prices
are competitive. His web site is informative and helpful. He is a good resource
if you need to have idlers of pinch rollers rebuilt.
Turntable
Needles.com.
- This company offers belts by manufacturer. We looked up Wollensak and they
had a number of belts and options available at reasonable prices. Delivery
was fast and follow up was excellent. Click
here for a page listing all Wollensak
belts (including for the T-1500)
DAE,
Inc - If you need parts for a TEAC, this place will have them. Not Wollensak,
but useful for TEAC folks.
ACE
Hardware - The web site doesn't help as much as the stores do. ACE stores
have a pretty large inventory. ACE is the place to get replacement "tires"
for a Wollensak 5000 series "power cam". The part is a plumber's "O" ring,
1-3/16" OD (outside diameter) 1/8" thick. I don't have the part number. But
it is made by DANCO. I found it in a bin of plumber's parts, you may be able
to do the same. If you need little belts, a plumber's O ring (they come in
a LOT of sizes might help you out. ACE is also a good place to get Wonder
Liner, if you need a replacement for light speaker grill cloth. You'd be
surprised what digging around in a hardware store will uncover! They are
a tinker's paradise.
Manuals
and Service Books
Stereo
Manuals.com - You can look up a manual by manufacturer on their web
site. Ordering is a b it confusing, but the prices are good and they deliver
very fast. If you don't see a manual of photofact document listed, you can
write to them and they may be able to help you.
Historical
Information
Phantom
Productions has generously provided an on-line resource
of vintage electronics catalogs from the 1900's onwards, and they include
advertisements. For tape recorder information. click on their section
called: Vintage R2R, located in their navigation sidebar.
AudioTools.com claims
to be "...the Internet's premier source of dubious information, suspect advice
and Uncle Technology on
all kinds of hi-fi and audio equipment..." However, for being dubious, they
have sent a lot of web pages with information about audio equipment manufacturers.
I believe they are being somewhat self-deprecating.
Basic Reel to Reel and Other Tape Recorder Info
Wikipedia
has a good basic
article on the reel to reel tape recorder.
"How
Stuff Works" has a detailed explanation of this sound recording
process, focusing on the cassette format which, due to greater convenience and smaller
size, replaced the reel to reel format in the home recording arena starting
in the late 1960's.
Minnesota
Mining and Manufacturing
3M
Company. 3M
(Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) are the makers of "Scotch®" brand
tape products. Besides owning the Wollensak tape recorder division, they
also produced magnetic recording tape on reels and cassettes. The company
had a reputation for producing a solid performing product at a reasonable
price.
Reel
To Reel Tape Recorder Videos
YouTube There
are a few people who are really into their reel to reel tape recorders. You
Tube shows some videos thay have made about their projects. And yes, ClydeSight
has a video there too! This link takes you to the serach results for "tape
recorder". You can try other searches there also. Some of the video authors
may be willing to correspond with you and may have some sources for help
with your restoration project.
Please
note that ClydeSight Productions DOES NOT rebuild or sell vintage
reel to reel tape recorders, nor can we help anyone involved in such a project.
The tape recorders shown in these pages are part of a personal collection
and are not for sale. We Do Not recommend
that unqualified or inexperienced persons attempt to restore vintage audio
equipment.
Visit
www.clydesight.com Master Site
Web site copyright ©ClydeSight
Productions - 2007
