About to pick up an otari 8 track and...

[SF Audio]

It's an otari MKIII 1/2" 8 track, in great condition, works great, clean heads, and comes with the manual and an alignment tape. All for $1K. Am I overpaying a bit? It was just checked out and given a clean bill of health by a tech, so that's a plus....

Are there any dedicated websites to this machine? Maybe some guy's home page who's a nut about it? Just looking for as many resources as possible....

thanks again...

 

[The Ghost of FM]

One thousand bucks for the deck seems a bit on the high side but, if the machine is in great condition and comes with the alignment tape, perhaps it is worth it?

We quickly forget that these machines, when they were new were around 3000 bucks and the calibration tape around 400 bucks so, it is a serious discount from the original selling price.

This site; http://www.prepal.com/manufacturers.htm might be able to give you a better idea about what the average resale prices are these days for the deck or a similar model.

Cheers!

 

[reel buzzer]

If it is perfect condition then $700 is not too much or too little to ask. The alignment tape is an added value on top of that.

There are no dedicated sites for this one machine, although it is mentioned in some sites on analog multitrack recorders.

So if you have any more questions after you read the manual then come back here and ask.

Is there anything specific you want to know about it?

 

[regebro]

Here is my non-expert opinion:

With alignment tape: Saves $200 (for a 1/2" MRL multipurpose tape)
Just checked over: Saves you either $100 or saves you a bunch of time, tools and a scope.
Manual: Saves $50 or so.
Clean heads doesn't say much. Wear is more important.

Prepal unfortunately doesn't help in this case. Mostly because most 5050 MkIII that are sold are two-tracks, but also because things like alignment tape and head wear really makes such a huge difference in value.

But it seems you are paying less than $750 for the machine itself. If it has reasonably new heads, then that should be a fine deal. From pictures on eBay it seems like one with medium worn heads will set you back $500-650. With unknown head condition (which means you have to assume they need to be replaced) and local picup in Baltimore only, some guy got one for $150.

So if the heads are almost new, go for it. If they are very worn, don't, if they are through half their life, try press down the price to $900.


Hmm. Wait, you are picking it up, meaning no shipping costs. Those are heavy beasts, thats probably another $100 saved, so to speak.

Well, it sound like an OK price, and a safe bet, which isn't bad.