Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

Just scored this from Germany , paid a little high for it without a case (£116) , but its comes with the NAB adapters and the reels so its actually a bargain I think . Just look how clean it is , its mint . Beautiful condition , very excited . 1966 (52 years old )

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

Wow!!! Looks brand new.

You are a fortunate guy!

The green monster is on my back!

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

As you say, excellent condition. However do check the state of the clear yellow packaged Rifa capacitors on the motor board. These have proved to be a problem in that they crack open with age as much as use.

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

Oh it`s going to get the full electrical overhaul , those spark caps will go , the start run caps will go , the caps on the audio boards will be replaced as will the trimmers , I`ll make sure its going to last another 52 years. .lol

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

You seem to have identified the key parts. Those Rifas are bad news. The ones in the (upside down) board in the centre are trickier to access. The pots just fall apart (10k I think most are). The run caps may well be okay. The tape end optics /bulb may need looking at.

Quarter track or half track version?

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

It`s a half track , the trimmers are 500 ohms , 1.5k , 20k , and 50k . I generally change the run caps because they will go eventually . They are 52 years old so I don`t mind changing them out (assuming they aren`t already replaced of course ) The bearings in the motors I will change , the optics as you say I will change . Its being restored for sale so I want it to be as good as it can be so the next owner can just buy it and enjoy it without the worry of it packing up . There is always that slight chance because its half a century old (sound a lot when you say it like that huh ) but by doing all the work for him it will limit it a lot . I dont mind at all knocking off a lot of profit to give someone a good unit . I never got into this to make money at all I just enjoy doing it and keeping them coming in .

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

This arrived today after a lot of hassle with the courier .

But as expected its in amazing condition . Didnt work when I got it , output boards has a transistor gone on each one , input board has one transistor and 3 short caps but all working now and sounds great . Heads have some wear but at 52 years old you would expect that right .. Here`s a few pics .


One thing I`m finding a little odd , When the record switches are NOT pushed in , the input level adjusts are controlling the wrong channels . Any Idea whats causing that ? With the record buttons IN , everything is as it should be . Is this normal for a MK1 ?

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

Looks to be in great cosmetic condition. I have 3 A77's and they are great machines. A routine cap and transistor replacement (where necessary) followed by a line up will restore the machine to its full working glory. The fault you describe with the channels swapping over is normal as far as I can recall.

Re: Mint condition A77 Mk 1
 

Thats great many thanks .

I`ve re-capped it already , changed a few ropey transistors and it sounds brill now . Just need to clean up the scratchy pots and she`s good to go .