Otari MX5050 questions/concerns

[redplanet]

Hi there, I apologize in advance for committing the cardinal sin and posting a new thread before introducing myself on the forum. I promise to do so in short order, but I'm in need of some info about an Otari MX5050 that I am looking to buy.
I have a Tascam TSR-8 and I intend to use the Otari as a half track mastering deck. The one I'm looking at has a silver face with wood sides, all of the others I've seen are black and much more modern looking. I'm concerned that this might be a 7.5ips consumer version of the half track mastering deck that I'm looking for, but can't find any info to confirm or deny that they ever made such a thing. Possibly its just a mk1? As long as it takes 10.5" reels, runs 15ips, and sounds as good as everyone claims they do then I'm a happy camper.
Here is my other concern. Its in rough shape, missing a few cosmetic parts, and the heads are very dirty with surface rust. I'm getting it pretty cheap, and I'm not opposed to the idea of fixing it up to not only stay in my budget, but also learn more about how the machine works and how to maintain it in the future. Am I getting into a potential money pit that will be impossible to find parts for? Is it possible that the head block will need replaced and the existing one is just too neglected to be fixed? I just don't want to wind up wasting my money when I would have been better off to wait for a good Tascam 22-2 or 32 to come along instead.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated, thanks!!

 

[miroslav]

...an Otari MX5050 that I am looking to buy.

Don't.

If the head block looks like that...I can only image the rest of the deck.
To find parts for it...you'll have to buy another one that's in good shape...so why bother.

Spend a few more bucks (not even sure what the price is for that corroded mess)...and get something you won't need to replace/repair just to get it in proper working shape.

 

[redplanet]

Yeah, I feared that might be the case. I guess it just took someone else seeing it and telling me not to be an idiot to confirm!

 

[RFR]

One word. YIKES!#!!
Like Miro says if that's what the heads look like.....who knows about the rest.
Judging by the rust, that has been in some serious humidity. Possibly even a salt water environment such as a coastal region.
Yeah, find an other one. And remember, it doesnt have to be an Otari.
Cheers, and welcome to the nuthouse.

 

[redplanet]

Thanks! Yeah, I know it doesn't have to be Otari. That is just one of the decks on my short list for a half track and the price was right on this one. For obvious reasons haha!

 

[witzendoz]

I have an old MX5050 black face 1/2 track machine, don't use it much anymore, and the last time I tried to the drive stopped working, now to find time to fix it, sigh! love this old classic gear but keeping it al running is a full time job.

Looking at that one, pass it by.
Alan.

 

[technoplayer]

+1 on what everyone else says. I work with vintage cars as well as vintage electronics. Rust in either situation is a red flag.
Walk away from this one

 

[mdainsd]

Free would be too much for that machine from the look of things. Yeah it would be free until you started trying to bring it back from the dead, then the bucks would start to roll. Keep looking and don't be impatient, if you "want it bad" that is usually what you get "bad",
You dont list your location so no telling how much trouble, or not, you will have finding other machines.
Look for MTR types in the Otari line (MTR-10, -12 etc). Far superior to the 5050s which in my opinion are consumer+ at best.

Good luck! The hunt is half the fun!