So what are some of the R2R units to keep an eye out for?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill Furnett
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Bill Furnett

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I've been bored as i'm in "Studio" build downtime limbo and was thinking of hitting some thrift stores and the like to maybe pick up a two or four track reel to reel to mess around with and maybe learn to set up, or just use.

While out, i'd like to have with me a list of some of the models that'd make for a sweet find, I mean, I'd obviously grab just about any Tascam deck, but what about the others like Sony, Akai, Otari (?) ?

BTW- I have mostly come across 7" so suggestions on units of that class would probally be best.

-Thanks-
 
Bill Furnett said:
was thinking of hitting some thrift stores and the like to maybe pick up a two or four track reel to reel to mess around with .......

.....I'd obviously grab just about any Tascam deck, but what about the others like Sony, Akai, Otari (?) ?
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Noting how inexpensive these items usually are at the usual Thrift type store and never knowing what you will find, I'd just pick up whatever is in good cosmetic / functional condition or which can be repaired easily. ;)
 
Bill Furnett said:
... what about the others like Sony, Akai, Otari (?) ?
Click to expand...
Yes.

Also Technics, Panasonic,... eh,... Marantz,... Onkyo,... Sanyo,.... (the list goes on!)

Just make sure you test these items as well as possible before purchase. Many people take their fixer/clunkers to the Salvation Army to drop off. Which reminds me, I gotta take my fixer/clunkers to the Salvy Army today!

Ahh,... actually I might take a stab at fixing this 27" TV I found on the curb last year, before dumping it off at the Salvy Army. It's not that I can't fix electronics, but it's hard to find the time.

However, I always pick up great gear on the cheap there,... as I've told you all about previously. I'm looking at a swell Sanyo boom box that only cost me $9! Put a modular power cord on in, and it works great!! ;)
 
Bill Furnett said:
I've been bored as i'm in "Studio" build downtime limbo and was thinking of hitting some thrift stores and the like to maybe pick up a two or four track reel to reel to mess around with and maybe learn to set up, or just use.

While out, i'd like to have with me a list of some of the models that'd make for a sweet find, I mean, I'd obviously grab just about any Tascam deck, but what about the others like Sony, Akai, Otari (?) ?

BTW- I have mostly come across 7" so suggestions on units of that class would probally be best.

-Thanks-
Click to expand...

TASCAM 40-4, 80-8, Otari MX5050 8track, Fostex E/G16.

Go for any of these. They are approved for analog junkies.

MCI/Studer/Ampex anything for serious addictions.

Pro decks are priced too low for analog junkies and have so much more to offer...................but...............

They weigh a ton and need some major plans to get.


You decide. A Tascam 40-4 is just about right though.
 
My favourite machines are

Fostex Model 80
Fostex R8
Any Tascam machine
Akai 630 series
Any Studer model
and any Otari model
Also various portable reel to reel machines like the Uher 4000 series

Keith
 
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I'm SO glad I went to the Salvy Army today!!

Got:
... a Kenwood 5-cd changer, works fine: $20,...
... a Technics RS-M245X (Dolby B/C/dbx cassette deck) LIKE NEW: $15,...
... a hardwood end table (perfect to put 414mkII Portastudios on): $10,...
... a large mixed bag of NEW RCA patch cables, video coax cables, etc: $2,...
... a brand new USB cable in original packaging: FREE
... a wooden half-size "locker": $10.

I always get lots of great gear and furniture at the Salvy Army, CHEAP! I go there weekly!!!

I hope your scavenger hunt was a successful & fun as mine!!! ;)
 
A Reel Person said:
Got:
... a Kenwood 5-cd changer, works fine: $20,...
... a Technics RS-M245X (Dolby B/C/dbx cassette deck) LIKE NEW: $15,...
... a hardwood end table (perfect to put 414mkII Portastudios on): $10,...
... a large mixed bag of NEW RCA patch cables, video coax cables, etc: $2,...
... a brand new USB cable in original packaging: FREE
... a wooden half-size "locker": $10.

I always get lots of great gear and furniture at the Salvy Army, CHEAP! I go there weekly!!!

I hope your scavenger hunt was a successful & fun as mine!!! ;)
Click to expand...

You're lucky! At my local Salv. Army they ebay the crap out of everything. The leftovers end up on the sales floor or in a third-world country. Needless to say, I quit going there. I miss the thrift stores in Portland that I used to frequent and score big at every time.
 
These "drop off your items here" type of stores usually carry a nice array of cassette decks. A couple days ago I saw a couple, including a "Proton" with dbx, dolby c and d nr. Pretty heavy too >>> only 9 bucks!! :eek:
 
cjacek said:
These "drop off your items here" type of stores usually carry a nice array of cassette decks. A couple days ago I saw a couple, including a "Proton" with dbx, dolby c and d nr. Pretty heavy too >>> only 9 bucks!! :eek:
Click to expand...

I'm living in the wrong town for thrifting apparently. Where did you move to btw?
 
My local store is ebay :D

I live in a small village so as you can imagine there isn't many shops here.

Nearest city is 45 miles away and it takes about 2 hours travel time to get there
on public transport.

As for cassetes i stopped using them years ago
I only use tape reels and mp3's for my music and nothing else.

Keith
 
Thanks guys :)

Some of the thrift stores here are located in 100% yuppieville so the quaity of stuff is generally decent and also the places are in just about the highest rental (highrise and otherwise) turn over area, so the selection is usually good as well since so many ppl move in and out each month and often just leave stuff behind that washes up at the thrift shop.

I wouldn't mind grabbing a cassette deck as well.

-Billy-
 
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