Tandberg 10X

[_DK]

I've been looking for a 2 track deck lately to mix from my Tascam 38, so after hunting for a Revox on Ebay I finally found a Tandberg locally. Surprisingly, I found out - it's a pro deck! There's 3 speed (including 15ips!), 10 1/2" reels and everything else, except for autoreverse play. And the sound is amazing!!
I haven't found much info on the web, but does anyone know how much better/worse this deck is comparing to...say Revox B77? or A77, or any other 1/2 track 15ips machine.

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by _DK

I've been looking for a 2 track deck lately to mix from my Tascam 38, so after hunting for a Revox on Ebay I finally found a Tandberg locally. Surprisingly, I found out - it's a pro deck! There's 3 speed (including 15ips!), 10 1/2" reels and everything else, except for autoreverse play. And the sound is amazing!!
I haven't found much info on the web, but does anyone know how much better/worse this deck is comparing to...say Revox B77? or A77, or any other 1/2 track 15ips machine.

Parts are likely to be an issue - heads and guides, belts (if any). The bits which are semi-consumable. At a pinch you might be able to hotrod it to use Tascam or some other more available head.

Personally I'd be a little wary of buying something older than myself, but I hope it works out for you

[Rodrev]

Congrats!
The Tandbergs are wonderful!

Ill dig up some resources and post them in a while.

There are at least one shop that sells used and new parts for theese recorders, as there is a large community for them here in Norway (and Denmark and Sweden I guess). The tandbergs are Norwegian, and a model guide can be found here:

http://www.nrhf.no/nrhf-TB.html

Its all in Norwegian Im afraid, but I can translate if you wish

Cheers!
Baard

[Rodrev]

Here is a Shop that has parts:
http://www.gpfweb.com/shop/

It is in Norwegian Im afraid, but if you contact them by e-mail, Im sure they will try to help you. I have very good experience buying from them.

Their page is down during easter it seems.

I havent been able to locate any other dealer, as the ones I know have no web page, and I have no mail to them.

If I can help with translataing something, please let me know. Theese fellas were made and documented with my native language, and as far as I know little information exist on english.

Baard

[_DK]

Hey, thanks Rodrev!
Do you own any Tandberg decks yourself?
I haven't found any problems with mine. Just gave it a good clean, demagged the heads and it works pretty good.
The only question left un-answered for me is the two black unlabeled buttons beside the speed selector. I tend to think those are reel size selector, but can't tell which is which. You wouldn't know, eh? Thanks a lot anyway!

[_DK]

Originally Posted by jpmorris

Parts are likely to be an issue - heads and guides, belts (if any). The bits which are semi-consumable. At a pinch you might be able to hotrod it to use Tascam or some other more available head.

Personally I'd be a little wary of buying something older than myself, but I hope it works out for you

To be honest, I haven't even considered buying Tascam, as I already have a 38 and I like to keep things difficult When it comes to picking a deck, I always try to go for an alternative (not like everywhere else that is). In this case I was after something better sounding. I'd really want to get a tube Revox if I could afford one.
The 10x model I've got is from 1977 (it looks older, I know ), I haven't opened it up yet, but I have a feeling that there's only one belt in it and that's the counter belt. Could be wrong on this one.

[_DK]

Forgot to mention, this deck has 3 heads, as it says on it, but what's a fourth head doing there? It's right across the recording (?) head, so the tape is accessible for recording on both sides??

[_DK]

Just found out, this model was popular for recording concerts in late 70s. i.e. many Grateful dead shows were recorded on it.

[Rodrev]

Originally Posted by _DK

Hey, thanks Rodrev!
Do you own any Tandberg decks yourself?
I haven't found any problems with mine. Just gave it a good clean, demagged the heads and it works pretty good.
The only question left un-answered for me is the two black unlabeled buttons beside the speed selector. I tend to think those are reel size selector, but can't tell which is which. You wouldn't know, eh? Thanks a lot anyway!

No, alas. A friend had a 9000x, which broke down. They have always been around me tho, so I have had the oppurtunity to hear several models.

I am currently looking for a TB20, but I havent found anyone with a reasonable price yet. I found a really nice deal on a Studer B67, and this one is serviced by trained techs, and has the same price as the TB20. The choice here is easy, since the Studer.. well.. is a Studer. Bottomline here is that the larger Tandberg recorders goes for more money than they perhaps are actualy worth, due to eager collectors with loads of cash.

They are extremely nice looking tho', and as said, sounds wonderful. I do have a Tandberg TM6 Microphone, and it has a wonderful weird sound. If you can find one cheap, get it, and record some vocals.

The two unlabelled buttons is something I cant remember from the 9000x, but reel size could be it. The 9000x only takes 7", and not 10.5", so that might be the reason. Ill check with my contacts on this. If its reel size, perhaps you can identify the functions by playing pre recorded tapes and check if the pitch is correct? Just a thought...

I thought that the motors had a belt drive, but Im not shure on your model. Ill come back with more info if I can dig some up.

Cheers!

[Rodrev]

Originally Posted by _DK

Forgot to mention, this deck has 3 heads, as it says on it, but what's a fourth head doing there? It's right across the recording (?) head, so the tape is accessible for recording on both sides??

According to the www.nrhf.no the fourth head is a premagnetizer. They list the haeads as such:

Heads - 4 (erase, record, playback, premagnetize)

One should think that the premagnetizer is the head after the eraser.. Ill bet someone has more knowledge of this function.

And yes.. The larger Tandbergs was heavily used for live recording, due to their ruggedness, their sound and the fact that they were really affordable (at least here in Norway). But I have to say.. All this happened before my birth. Im just a guy who loves of vintage (studio and hifi) gear and is very interested in Norwegian radio technology.

[_DK]

Originally Posted by Rodrev

No, alas. A friend had a 9000x, which broke down. They have always been around me tho, so I have had the oppurtunity to hear several models.

I am currently looking for a TB20, but I havent found anyone with a reasonable price yet. I found a really nice deal on a Studer B67, and this one is serviced by trained techs, and has the same price as the TB20. The choice here is easy, since the Studer.. well.. is a Studer. Bottomline here is that the larger Tandberg recorders goes for more money than they perhaps are actualy worth, due to eager collectors with loads of cash.

They are extremely nice looking tho', and as said, sounds wonderful. I do have a Tandberg TM6 Microphone, and it has a wonderful weird sound. If you can find one cheap, get it, and record some vocals.

The two unlabelled buttons is something I cant remember from the 9000x, but reel size could be it. The 9000x only takes 7", and not 10.5", so that might be the reason. Ill check with my contacts on this. If its reel size, perhaps you can identify the functions by playing pre recorded tapes and check if the pitch is correct? Just a thought...

I thought that the motors had a belt drive, but Im not shure on your model. Ill come back with more info if I can dig some up.

Cheers!

I figured it out. The first button is the reel size, the other one is CUE.
I payed $200 Canadian for mine (~$170 US). How much are B67 in Norway?

[Rodrev]

Originally Posted by _DK

I figured it out. The first button is the reel size, the other one is CUE.
I payed $200 Canadian for mine (~$170 US). How much are B67 in Norway?

About 500 USD for a machine that has been used and serviced by the Norwegian TV and Radio Station (NRK). Not cheap, but the heads are new, and the techs have been working on theese machines since they was purchased. A TB20 goes 50-100 USD cheaper, depending on its condition and the knowledge of the seller.

Did you figure the fourth head out? I was kind a hoping that someone could clear that one up.. I have a guy I can ask, but I have to wait until I run into him.

[Tim Gillett]

Originally Posted by _DK

Forgot to mention, this deck has 3 heads, as it says on it, but what's a fourth head doing there? It's right across the recording (?) head, so the tape is accessible for recording on both sides??

Fourth head will be the bias head. They called it Crossfield Bias and Tandberg and Akai were the two main companies that used it. The record head doesnt carry bias as normal. This head does and sends the bias from the backside of the tape. Better highs were claimed especially at slow speeds but interestingly Akai dropped the feature later on. Not sure about Tandberg.
Some Tandbergs had Ferrite play heads with very long life, just like Akai's,
I think I have a Tandberg 10X, somewhere. Nice machine.


cheers Tim.

[_DK]

Originally Posted by Tim Gillett

Fourth head will be the bias head. They called it Crossfield Bias and Tandberg and Akai were the two main companies that used it. The record head doesnt carry bias as normal. This head does and sends the bias from the backside of the tape. Better highs were claimed especially at slow speeds but interestingly Akai dropped the feature later on. Not sure about Tandberg.
Some Tandbergs had Ferrite play heads with very long life, just like Akai's,
I think I have a Tandberg 10X, somewhere. Nice machine.


cheers Tim.

That's pretty cool. Haven't seen any Akais with that feature though.