Reel-to-Reel Tech - reeltoreeltech.com news and information

Tape Problems

UPDATED OCTOBER 2023. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ARTICLE ON THIS WEBSITE! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, AS IT APPLIES TO EVERY REEL TO REEL OWNER. THAT INCLUDES YOU! As of this writing, approximately 15% of...

Barn Find – Part 2: Loading 7 Tons of Equipment

On January 17, I drove down to Seattle, to catch a flight to San Antonio, Tx. But wait a minute Curt, I read the first part of the article, and I could have sworn...

Barn Find of a Lifetime – Part 1: The Random Email That Started It All!

**** NOTE – ALL PICTURES POSTED ARE PART OF THE INCOMING SHIPMENT! **** As many of you know, I have spent my life and career working on electronic equipment. This started early in elementary...

To recap, or not to recap vintage electronics

This will be by far the most controversial post on the website! After having repaired literally 1000s of pieces of electronics equipment, from fast food restaurant VHF belt packs for the drive-through system, to...

Shipping Reel To Reel Decks – Part 2

Here’s a bulletproof method of packing a deck to be sent in for service, devised by Ray Kimber of Kimber Kables ...

Buying a Reel to Reel – Updated October 2021!

Since launching this website in March of 2017, a lot has changed in the world of reel to reels. Pricing has doubled or tripled for both refurbished and “as-is” (but working great according to...

Fostex Reel to reel tape deck – Summary

Fostex was a relative latecomer to the semi pro and home recording industry, bringing out their first tape deck, the A2, in 1981. Fostex only marketed to the recording studios, and generally speaking, Fostex...

Pioneer reel to reel tape deck – Summary

There’s not a whole bunch online about when Pioneer started making reel to reel tape decks. N0 question that they made receivers long before they got into the RTR business. That aside, their tube...

Repairing the motorized tape tension levers in the Akai GX-747

While many say that the Akai GX-747 flagship deck was too complicated, and that users should look for the lesser GX-635, 636 or 646 (and they’d be partially right!), a properly working GX-747 is...