"New" Teac A-3440

[BeatleFred]

Will be interesting to see what the final $ price goes for on a time-capsule, virtually never-used unit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-TEAC-A-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item20ceb883bd

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Looks pretty clean but the tape lifters sure seem to show more wear then just the 20 hours of use the seller is claiming. Capstan shaft looks pretty badly stained for that amount of use too.

Cheers!

 

[BeatleFred]

You may be right, I didnt take a close look at the pics when I posted the auction late last night. I had posted it also on TapeHeads, and several others made similar comments that they felt the unit was used more than the seller described.

 

[BeatleFred]

another one on Ebay with detailed description:

Teac A 3440 Reel to Reel Simul Sync Tape Deck Recorder in Excellent Condition | eBay

 

[The Ghost of FM]

another one on Ebay with detailed description:

Teac A 3440 Reel to Reel Simul Sync Tape Deck Recorder in Excellent Condition | eBay

I've seen a few auctions from this seller and he seems to be far more of a pro then most of the private ebay sellers out there. He makes specific claims of the unit operating within original specs and has an equipped repair technician to do the work and offer a 30 day warranty on it.

That said, the asking price is really high! Probably a good $300 or more over average market value. I bought a used 3340S back in 1983 from a local dealer who offered it with a 90 day warranty and I paid $650 for it when it was only a 10 year old machine. So now, these machines are well over 30 years old and selling for even higher prices? That just doesn't sit well with me. Then again, if dollar depreciation is to ever attempt to be fairly spread across all markets, then I guess I could see higher asking prices if only for that reason alone. But otherwise, when it comes right down to it, the seller doesn't show any clear pictures of the heads or the lifters, guides, capstan or roller and says nothing about their condition or state of wear. So unless he's willing to post up some images and detail about that, I'd keep shopping, if it were my money and call.

Cheers!

 

[Ninth Life Lost]

Yeah, overpriced, but what can you do? Prices on these machines are heading north in a hurry as they become more scarce. If you balk at $874 today, you may find there's not one to be had for less than $1200 next year.

 

[glennb]

This may be the forum I need?
I just got a Teac A 3440 Reel to Reel. Was it his? Anyway - I just can't get the speed to work properly. I have both size reels (7 and 10.5) and used the the reel adjustment switch and the fine tuned the speed selector switch. it's eithier too slow in one mode or too fast with the speed selector switch adjusting from one to the other. I love this thing but can't seem to get the right speed. The only other thing I see is maybe a slightly gummy pinch rollor.

I have the manual and is there someone out there that has the answer?

 

[witzendoz]

How do you know the speed is not right? are you trying to play back a pre-recorded tape?

Alan.

 

[Dr ZEE]

quote of the day from a " far more of a pro" (in all caps, so you see better) :
"WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL BUYS A TAPE DECK .... FROM ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL .... THE BUYER WILL BE GETTING A LESS THAN PERFECT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT."



*******

speaking of popcorn ,
what are "premium lubricants" ?

 

[Dr ZEE]

...now, these machines are well over 30 years old and selling for even higher prices? That just doesn't sit well with me. ....

Cheers!

Jeff, these machines have past the point beyond which "standard market rules" no longer apply and "the older - the better" rule kicks in.

 

[glennb]

Yes - I have pre recorded tapes. I'm not up to recording yet - I just got this. First I have to get the speed right. The tapes are stuff from the 60-70s

 

[ecc83]

In the absence of an accurately calibrated test tape and a frequency meter you cannot know the absolute speed of a tape machine.

You will have to fall back on the time honoured but PITA method of timing a long run of tape and then measuring it! But there is no need unless you are sending peeps tapes! If you know the key of the old material you can set the speed using an accurately tuned guitar (near enough for jazz!) Once you have the pitch, dump the tracks onto computer (I CAN say that here? Computer. Can't I?).

For daily use, being a 1/4 track machine, the only speed option is 15ips really. We have an A3440* and Son loves it! To me it is an ancient PITA!

*I have made a wired remote for mine, works fine but I had to kludge the wires into the rectangular 12way socket. Anyone got a plug PLEASE? Cost is not very much of a consideration.

Dave.

 

[BeatleFred]

Keep an eye out for the RC-70 remote on Ebay, they usually turn up there from time to time. I love the A-3440, its a great recorder, even at 7.5 ips. The RX-9 is the matching dbx noise reduction unit for it, but the relays in them are problematic. With a simple soldering modification, the Tascam DX-4D can be used instead (also on Ebay).