Sony Tc-377

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CREEKSTER52

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I JUST ACQUIRED A SONY TC-377. ALL THE FUNCTIONS WORK EXCEPT TAPE COUNTER (OUCH!). HOWEVER, THE SPEED FLUCTUATES DURING RECORD & PLAYBACK. THE MACHINE IS COSMETICALLY VERY GOOD & DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN USED MUCH. I TOOK THE UNIT OUT OF THE CASE AND IT IS REASONABLY CLEAN INSIDE. I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT REEL TO REELS, BUT THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE DIRECT DRIVE (BELTLESS).

MY QUESTION IS: IS THIS PARTICULAR UNIT WORTH "SAVING". I AM INTENDING TO USE FOR SOME STEREO MIXDOWN PRACTICE, BUT MOSTLY AS A "SKETCH PAD". PARTS SEEM TO BE READILY AVAILABLE AS IS THE SERVICE MANUAL. SHOULD I FIX IT OR REPLACE IT WITH A BETTER UNIT??
 
I can't comment directly on Sony, but are you sure it's direct drive?

This type of problem is usually related to a belt, but I'm most familiar with Tascams.

Also, try fast-winding the tape a few times to loosen it up. A reel of tape can sometimes just get sticky and cause excesive drag on the tape path.
 
TC - 377

I AM NOT SURE IT IS DIRECT DRIVE...I TOOK THE UNIT OUT OF THE CASE FOR A BRIEF LOOK. I DIDN'T SEE ANY BELTS. I AM NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. I DID SEE WHEELS WITH RUBBER TREADS, THATS WHY I ASSUMED IT WAS DIRECT DRIVE (LIKE TURNTABLES).

I WILL TRY THE FAST FOWARD TRICK & ALSO USE A NEW TAPE. ANY IDEAS ON GETTING THE TAPE COUNTER TO WORK?? IT IS STUCK ON "0000"...WHEN I PRESS THE RESET, THE DIGITS MOVE SLIGHTLY, BUT WILL NOT COUNT (EITHER DIRECTION).

I HAVE FOUND THAT A SERVICE MANUAL IS AVAILABLE ON CD FOR THIS UNIT.
 
Like I said, I can't comment directly on Sony,...

so from what you're describing, as far as I know, you're probably right.

The only thing with the tape counter, is to make absolutely sure you have the tape threaded and loaded on the machine properly. You have to identify which roller or mechanism makes the counter count,... F/I, on the Tascam 38, it's apparently an encoder that's attached to the right reel-motor, and on the Tascam 388, MSR-16 and MSR-24, it's the right idler-roller.

Sorry I can't help more, my analog friend, but maybe the Sony manual would be a good investment. This type of recorder is really fun to work with, when working properly.

I'm an analog fanatic,... ask anyone who knows me!;)
 
TC-377

YEAH, IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF GOOD FUNCTIONS...L&R RECORD SELECT, L&R LINE LEVEL ADJ.(IN), L&R MIC LEVEL (IN), COMBINED L&R LINE LEVEL OUT, 3-SPEED, MONITORS SOURCE OR TAPE, ETC.

I JUST PICKED UP A ROBERTS ALSO...SUPPOSED TO BE MULTI-TRACK & IN WORKING ORDER...I CAN'T WAIT 'TIL IT ARRIVES...SEEING IS BELIEVING!!
 
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