Low Output Issue

[Bguzaldo]

Hey guys,

So I got this really cool 60s, consumer brand, 1/4" reel to reel machine off ebay and I'm having an issue with one of the channels outputs.

The make and model is pointless to list considering no one will find any info on the thing, but if you're curious its a Concord 555.

Now after I record something the channel 2 output is very quiet and it also seems like its creating a slight phase issue with channel 1. (when I play both there is an awkward stereo image and when I turn channel 2 off channel one has a much deeper/fuller tone) I'm not sure where the exact problem is, but I suspect its a switch near the ins/outs. There is a switch that changes the machines output from stereo to mono and when I flip the switch there crackling, its obviously dirty, but also sometime it doesn't switch and I have to fiddle with it to get it to change back to mono. For clarification--it's not a physical issue with moving the switch, its a mechanical issue. Sometimes when it is set to mono its still in stereo.

Any idea for possible solutions? I know its obvious that this is a CONSUMER brand machine from 1965 and I should expect it to be a piece of junk, especially with all the old elastic bands and pullies, but its a charming machine and its a tool I would like to be able to use. Now I can just not use channel 2 and use it always as a mono machine which I'd be fine with if there were no solution, but the stereo option would be nice.

Thanks guys, sorry for the long thread. I can post pictures but I'm not sure if that would help at all.

-Barrett

 

[sweetbeats]

Barrett,

You oughta post up some pics anyway just so we can see your new "tool".

Hey, I think you've already answered your own question...I'd be removing that switch and disassembling it if possible and cleaning with DeoxIT D5 or even replacing it if necessary, and refreshing the connections to and from the switch.

You KNOW that it isn't working right, so even if that isn't the prime cause of your issue there's no way you can tease out the real culprit until you resolve things that rear their heads along the way.

My 2p.

Does it look kinda like this?

 

[Bguzaldo]

Barrett,

You oughta post up some pics anyway just so we can see your new "tool".

Hey, I think you've already answered your own question...I'd be removing that switch and disassembling it if possible and cleaning with DeoxIT D5 or even replacing it if necessary, and refreshing the connections to and from the switch.

You KNOW that it isn't working right, so even if that isn't the prime cause of your issue there's no way you can tease out the real culprit until you resolve things that rear their heads along the way.

My 2p.

Does it look kinda like this?

Haha, yes I suppose I should have tried to fix what I already knew was wrong before looking for help!

As for the picture, that almost exactly it, the only difference I can see from this picture is that my Volume and tone knobs are a slightly different, they're in the same location just a different knob and I can't see if the VU meters are the same by the transport section, but again they're in the same spot. Its got those speakers which are at the left edge of that photo. But yeah I'll post up some pictures of the inside and out ASAP.

Thanks for the motivation! I think I'll try taking apart that switch and see what going on there,
-Barrett