My New Toys, It's Analog Paradise

  • Thread starter Thread starter dodgeaspen
  • Start date Start date
Well I think I have a good candidate for a parts deck. This deck seems to have the most problems. Cosmetically it's pretty nice but they all need a good cleaning. I was told they were taken out of service about 10 to 15 years ago. I think the heads on this deck are shot. I don't think a relap can do anything for them. You be the judge.
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You could definitely part out those MCI machines and make a nice sum from it!
 
From the pics, I don't think the heads have *quite* opened up yet...who knows, you still might be able to get a few hours out of 'em! :D
 
lo.fi.love said:
You could definitely part out those MCI machines and make a nice sum from it!
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I guess I could but I just feel it would leave one less deck in the world. I'm sure that doesn't make sense tho. If nothing else I can use this one as a parts deck and try to make the other two 2 tracks function. On the other hand I took a look at the first 4 track and that one showed some promise.
 
Pics of the 4 track 1/2' machine. The heads are useable I think. This has a few problems like the rest of them tho.
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The wear on that 4 track appears a lot more even across the heads, top to bottom and perhaps even forgo an immediate re-lap on those!

If all the channels work and there are no transport issues, looks like that one's a keeper! :)

Cheers! :)
 
Here are a few pics of deck # 5 Everything seems to work OK at first glance, but I did notice the heads on this unit are not in as good of shape. Jeff, I might do a swap.
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dodgeaspen said:
I guess I could but I just feel it would leave one less deck in the world. I'm sure that doesn't make sense tho. If nothing else I can use this one as a parts deck and try to make the other two 2 tracks function. On the other hand I took a look at the first 4 track and that one showed some promise.
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Sure, but if you consider that there are incomplete decks out there that could benefit from these spare parts, then there's really no "loss".
 
Audiophallic said:
That bottom pic...there is so much wear on the outside of the head...is it my imagination, or it it starting to open up at the very top?
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Welcome and thanks for the reply. I think it's more of a bad pic than anything. Al tho the heads need work or maybe replaced.
 
I just love the look of MCI wide-format erase heads...so cool.

Ed, lo.fi has such an excellent point: selling parts off will keep other decks going, refund your expense, and (trust me) keep you from having a bunch of *stuff* sitting around that will do nothing but distract and become a contention. Save some other decks and make a story how you got paid to own a couple nice MCI decks with spares to keep 'em going.

Again, congrats. The heads on that first 4 track do indeed look serviceable.

Your move...
 
Well guys, I hate to admit it but your both right. After looking them over and knowing my skill level I have decided to part a few of them out. I'd like to keep 1 4 track and 1 2 track. I'll probably end up with the 4 track. I think it needs the least amount of work. I'm not sure if I'll do the work or take it to the shop. I'll do what I can then have them do the rest. I'll be selling complete manuals and parts. I also have test tapes, but I will talk to Beck and ask his opinion on the SSS They look to be in good shape tho. I'm still very excited to have atleast 1 good one.
 
dodgeaspen said:
Well guys, I hate to admit it but your both right. After looking them over and knowing my skill level I have decided to part a few of them out. I'd like to keep 1 4 track and 1 2 track. I'll probably end up with the 4 track. I think it needs the least amount of work. I'm not sure if I'll do the work or take it to the shop. I'll do what I can then have them do the rest. I'll be selling complete manuals and parts. I also have test tapes, but I will talk to Beck and ask his opinion on the SSS They look to be in good shape tho. I'm still very excited to have atleast 1 good one.
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You made a wise move. You'll make your money back by selling the parts, and you'll have a lot of fun while doing it. If I had a truck, I'd be doing the same (picking stuff up to resell).
 
Update

I took the advice and decided to sell the MCI decks. I originally called and talked to Randy Blevins from Blevins audio and sent him pics ETC he was going to give me app 1,000.00 for the decks and manuals. Something happened and he was unable to make it that weekend. He said he would keep in touch and so far I've called him several times over the past few weeks and sent him emails with no response. Unless something has gone severally wrong I think he's avoiding me. If that's the case that's BAD business practice. If he decided he didn't want them all he needed to do was be man enough and professional enough to atleast do that, but nothing from him. Long story short, I sold them to a guy on the MCI site for 1,400.00 He's going to pick them up this weekend. Not a bad turnover I guess. I just wish I could have fixed them for myself.
 
Still... you made $1,000 with minimal effort. That's pretty awesome!

You can use that money to buy some nice old machine, and then bring that one up to par instead.

Good work!
 
1,170.00 to be exact. Plus I have the Otari MX-5050B2 and the three test tapes. Not bed indeed.
 
I would have kept the MCI's. :( But that's me.

Where that really in that rough shape?
 
SteveM said:
I would have kept the MCI's. :( But that's me.

Where that really in that rough shape?
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No they all worked but they all needed various things that I would have had to pay someone to do the work. I have an eye on a Otari MRT 10 (I think) 2 track 1/4" I might get it depending on how it looks. I'll have it serviced by people who know how to do this kind of thing.
 
Whoops, sorry... see you already sold them.

My bad.

mm
 
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