Otari repair

[cat6man]

I've got an Otari mx5050 BQii 4 channel r2r deck that most definitely needs a tuneup. It hasn't been used in about 25 years and I'm sure that belts and rollers as well as all greased parts will need some attention.

I have half a dozen tapes made 40 years at the Juilliard school when my wife was studying viola there and we'd love to be able to hear them again.

I'd appreciate feedback on how to proceed restoring this machine and any recommendations for service techs in the greater NY/NJ area. Also, any concerns about playing back 2 channel tapes on a 4 channel r2r? Would I be better off having someone make a digital copy for me versus doing a machine restoration?

 

[Tapetech]

"Two channel tapes" come in two versions: 2 track stereo or 4 track stereo so we don't know which format you have.

If your tapes are 4 track stereo, then use tracks 1 and 3 on you deck to play back your tapes. You will need to flip the tapes over to play the tracks 2 and 4 on the tape (but still use tracks 1 and 3 on the deck).

If your tapes are 2 track stereo, then you need to use tracks 1 and 4 on your deck to play the tapes. This is not optimum because the track widths are different but the side effects are minor (a bit more noise). And with 2 track stereo you don't flip the tape over when it ends.

As far as servicing, your deck will need all pots, switches, heads, guides and capstan cleaned. Also some audio relays may need repair or replacement

 

[ejk]

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