Ampex question for Sweetbeats

  • Thread starter Thread starter SteveM
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SteveM

SteveM

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I picked up a console from one of the guys on the Ampex list yesterday. It came with a "B" transport. If I switch the headstack over to the "B" transport that would mean I'd have to realign the heads right?

I really don't think I'm going to bother with it now though. I'm just curious if it would be a big deal to do. I just got all these cards for the 15/30 speeds and I also have the capstan adapter on the "A" transport. Kind of cool I got the extra transport because I have a 1/4" headstack too.
 
Are you talking about the mechanical alignment or electronic? I'll just start blathering...

The A and B heads are compatible with the A electronics so you can pull the 1/2 inch assembly (2 screws I think) and drop the 1/4 inch on. You know the reel idler tensioner and takeup tension arm guides are quick-change from 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch and vice-versa. If the 1/4 assembly was already mechanically aligned on the B transport no other mechanical alignment should be needed. It wouldn't hurt to check but once you get that set it should be a quick-change procedure.

As far as the electronic alignment, yeah...you'd need to do an electronic alignment, but if you had an extra set of two record and repro cards you could line those up with the 2-track head assembly set and have all the rest of the cards setup for the 1/2 inch block...then you'd be lined up for either/or and you could go from 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch in literally as long as it takes to flip the tensioner guides, unscrew one block, screw the other on and swap 4 cards and power up.

SWEET!
 
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