Reel to Reel recorder - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

HarryEE · 29th Mar 2005, 1:07 pm

Hi

I'm posting this in the hope that one of you nice guys can point me in the direction of somewhere I can buy a second-hand reel to reel tape recorder in North East London or Essex, but particulalry in the Barking, Ilford, Romford or Wanstead area if possible?

It needs to be able to handle large spools (7inch?) and not be too expensive, as it's to be used to play some old tapes and not for new recording.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Regards,

Harry

reelguy · 29th Mar 2005, 3:43 pm

Hello Harry, We are all nice guys on here !!!!!!! Can't help with buying a reel to reel recorder locally to you. But before buying a machine you will need to know at what speeds and whether two track or four track your old tapes where recorded. Sometimes helps if you have an idea of the original recorder and model number as this will be a help in determining a suggestion. If you do buy a recorder locally take a tape with you and try it. The fact that it lights up and spools turn doesnt mean it works OK. I actually saw three different recorders for sale at the local Boot sale on Monday ,All of which looked immaculate and each was about £10. But you take a chance...I'm sure someone locally to you can help .Good Luck, Reelguy

reel-to-reel-man · 29th Mar 2005, 11:27 pm

Hello,

I am currently taking a business venture in selling reel to reels and have a few domestic recorders you may be interested in, Most of the machines take 7 inch, I have a lovely Philips which takes 7 inch, 4 speeds (7.1/2, 3.3/4, 1.7/8 and 15/16) also its a 4 track recorder so it would cover everything you should need. If your interested I will sell it for £25 and that includes the postage, the machine is a EL3549. if your interested let me know and I can supply pictures, the recorder is working and was tested no so long ago and will be tested before shipping.

coredump · 30th Mar 2005, 9:57 am

Just a word of caution: if you do take a tape to try out on a prospective machine, don't take your "best" one. There is a risk that the machine could be faulty and will stretch, crumple or erase the tape. Take a test tape that is your "least irreplaceable" tape.

And have a close look at the tapes to see if they're labelled with a speed (3 3/4, 7 1/2 ips?) and/or a track format (2-track or half-track, 4-track or quarter-track?). If they're in boxes, it may be on the box.

29th Mar 2005, 1:07 pm	#1
HarryEE Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2	Reel to Reel recorder Hi I'm posting this in the hope that one of you nice guys can point me in the direction of somewhere I can buy a second-hand reel to reel tape recorder in North East London or Essex, but particulalry in the Barking, Ilford, Romford or Wanstead area if possible? It needs to be able to handle large spools (7inch?) and not be too expensive, as it's to be used to play some old tapes and not for new recording. Thanks a lot in advance. Regards, Harry

29th Mar 2005, 3:43 pm	#2
reelguy Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 746	Re: Reel to Reel recorder Hello Harry, We are all nice guys on here !!!!!!! Can't help with buying a reel to reel recorder locally to you. But before buying a machine you will need to know at what speeds and whether two track or four track your old tapes where recorded. Sometimes helps if you have an idea of the original recorder and model number as this will be a help in determining a suggestion. If you do buy a recorder locally take a tape with you and try it. The fact that it lights up and spools turn doesnt mean it works OK. I actually saw three different recorders for sale at the local Boot sale on Monday ,All of which looked immaculate and each was about £10. But you take a chance...I'm sure someone locally to you can help .Good Luck, Reelguy

29th Mar 2005, 11:27 pm	#3
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Reel to Reel recorder Hello, I am currently taking a business venture in selling reel to reels and have a few domestic recorders you may be interested in, Most of the machines take 7 inch, I have a lovely Philips which takes 7 inch, 4 speeds (7.1/2, 3.3/4, 1.7/8 and 15/16) also its a 4 track recorder so it would cover everything you should need. If your interested I will sell it for £25 and that includes the postage, the machine is a EL3549. if your interested let me know and I can supply pictures, the recorder is working and was tested no so long ago and will be tested before shipping. __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

30th Mar 2005, 9:57 am	#4
coredump Triode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 37	Re: Reel to Reel recorder Just a word of caution: if you do take a tape to try out on a prospective machine, don't take your "best" one. There is a risk that the machine could be faulty and will stretch, crumple or erase the tape. Take a test tape that is your "least irreplaceable" tape. And have a close look at the tapes to see if they're labelled with a speed (3 3/4, 7 1/2 ips?) and/or a track format (2-track or half-track, 4-track or quarter-track?). If they're in boxes, it may be on the box.