[Sideband]

Alignment of the heads on these is a tricky job without the proper test gear. There was a dedicated alignment tape for fine adjustment and a jig for the initial course adjustment plus we also had a special fluid (called Indicord) to paint onto a standard recording tape so that we could see the recorded tracks and check that they were positioned correctly. None of these things are available now unless you are lucky enough to find the jig and alignment tape on eBay or elsewhere.

All you can do these days is play a known good tape recorded with 1Khz and 10Khz test tones from a correctly aligned 4 track machine and adjust the heads for best output..... You need a dual beam scope and you play the 1khz test tone to adjust phasing and the 10 Khz for maximum output.

I don't know about the availability of pressure pads. You may find some on eBay (try German or Dutch eBay). Alternatively you may have to make some.