so guys, I've been bit by the bug. I snagged my second open reel kit yesterday and tested it out. I gave it a good thorough clean (by which I mean, scrubbing the heads, tape leads, pinch roller, capstan shaft, and tape risers, with isopropyl alcohol) and noticed that the levels kind of fluctuate a great deal more than my Tascam 38 to the point of the sound getting really muted. I'm also using a NOS reel of a 7" Scotch 144. I highly doubt that it's the nature of the machine itself to behave this way and I was wondering where I should direct my attention and TLC toward so that I can distribute the burden of recording between my two kits. Thanks.