I need help QUICK!

[antispatula]

So this guy is offering me a MX5050 OTARI 8 track for 100 bucks. Is it worth it? How much do htey go for? I need to know now, because he says tommorow it's 150! Thanks, please help!

 

[Beck]

It's one of the best machines of its class around. However, if it's worn out, bad heads, other issues, etc you'll put a lot of money into it before it's working.

My general attitude towards high-pressure sales tactics like this is to pass on principle, even if it's a good deal. I hate being pushed more than I hate missing a good deal... but that's just me.

-Tim

 

[reel buzzer]

If it's in perfect working condition and comes with an empty metal tape reel then it is worth about $800.

I got mine (same unit) on ebay for $850.

 

[antispatula]

he told me that a small "quark" knob was missing, something that helped provide tenstion for the tape. Know what this is, and whether I can get it replaced. How much would it cost?

 

[cjacek]

So this guy is offering me a MX5050 OTARI 8 track for 100 bucks. Is it worth it? How much do htey go for? I need to know now, because he says tommorow it's 150! Thanks, please help!

Tell that cock-sucker to stop pushing you!

If the Otari works, engages well, records and plays back faithfully and if the tape lifters, heads and tape path are not too worn, by all means take the deal! If it means bringing it to spec by a technician for a couple of hundred $$ more, it's still worth it. Make sure you inspect it first though. If he's still pressuring you while you're "testing" and seems in a hurry then something's wrong. You have to ask youself: Why is he using such pressure tactics in the first place ? Be careful but definitely take a look at the machine.

~Daniel

 

[cjacek]

he told me that a small "quark" knob was missing, something that helped provide tenstion for the tape. Know what this is, and whether I can get it replaced. How much would it cost?

I'm not sure about that "knob" but do you have someone close by, perhaps a technician or someone in the know-how, who you can take with you to see the Otari ?

~Daniel

 

[antispatula]

ok, so I called him, and he said that the pinch roller was missing. Is this a big deal?

 

[Beck]

ok, so I called him, and he said that the pinch roller was missing. Is this a big deal?

Tell him you’ll give him fifty bucks for it if he tells you in detail everything about the issues and history of the machine. Tell him if you have to wait until tomorrow it’ll be $25.00.

Sounds to me like it's already been parted out to fix another MX5050. He's trying to sell you what's left.

 

[antispatula]

well, I think I'm going over there tommorow to check it out. What's the best things to do to check out it's condition?