How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x)? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Samuel1 · 11th Nov 2023, 1:22 pm

Hello, newbie here with no knowledge of this kind of thing. I've got a few reel to reel players I'm trying to test and see if they work. One of them I'm mainly looking at is the Tandberg 3300x Reel to Reel Tape Player/Recorder. I tried following some online videos setting up other reel to reels but when I turn on the device I can't find anyway to get the reels to play or even turn. I'm just wondering if anyone here could possibly offer any suggestions or be able to tell if the device is broken.

Thank you in advance for any help and again sorry if this is a stupid question.

paulsherwin · 11th Nov 2023, 1:31 pm

It's normal for 70s decks like these to need mechanical restoration. After 50 years the lubricants will have dried out and gone gummy, and belts and idler wheels will have deteriorated. If your interest is in selling these, your best bet is to sell them in unrestored non-working condition and let the buyer sort out the problems. There isn't anything simple you can do to magically make everything work.

TIMTAPE · 11th Nov 2023, 1:33 pm

On many Tandbergs for the motor to run you have to have a tape correctly loaded and tensioned. I'm not sure about this model though.

Samuel1 · 11th Nov 2023, 1:39 pm

I did open up the panels on the model and the wheels did look pretty worn and such, so that sounds most likely. Thank you for the quick and detailed response. I probably will just sell them as non-working then.

Michael Maurice · 11th Nov 2023, 3:48 pm

Have you tried Tim's suggestion? Have you put a tape on and threaded it correctly?

See_Mos · 11th Nov 2023, 5:45 pm

This has a light sensor at the left side of the head cover so it will not run without a tape. It uses the same lamp to illuminate the green lens.

Or you could just use a piece of card and slide it in to the slot.

Samuel1 · 11th Nov 2023, 9:33 pm

Thanks for the responses, I actually gave it a careful clean and got one of the wheels to start which wasn't before. Going to grab some tapes tomorrow and do another test.

ricard · 11th Nov 2023, 10:13 pm

It's quite common for the belt to crumble and fall apart especially if it has never been replaced. The belt drives the reel holders so they will not turn if the belt is broken - but you should be able to hear the motor running when the joystick is in the fast forward, rewind or play positions.

In play mode, the capstan is driven by an idler, so it should advance the tape even if the belt is broken. It's likely the pinch roller needs replacing, but usually it is still serviceable enough to pull the tape through, even if accompanied by rumbling noises and uneven playback.

11th Nov 2023, 1:22 pm	#1
Samuel1 Diode Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK. Posts: 3	How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x)? Hello, newbie here with no knowledge of this kind of thing. I've got a few reel to reel players I'm trying to test and see if they work. One of them I'm mainly looking at is the Tandberg 3300x Reel to Reel Tape Player/Recorder. I tried following some online videos setting up other reel to reels but when I turn on the device I can't find anyway to get the reels to play or even turn. I'm just wondering if anyone here could possibly offer any suggestions or be able to tell if the device is broken. Thank you in advance for any help and again sorry if this is a stupid question.

11th Nov 2023, 1:31 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,153	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x) It's normal for 70s decks like these to need mechanical restoration. After 50 years the lubricants will have dried out and gone gummy, and belts and idler wheels will have deteriorated. If your interest is in selling these, your best bet is to sell them in unrestored non-working condition and let the buyer sort out the problems. There isn't anything simple you can do to magically make everything work.

11th Nov 2023, 1:33 pm	#3
TIMTAPE Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,921	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x) On many Tandbergs for the motor to run you have to have a tape correctly loaded and tensioned. I'm not sure about this model though.

11th Nov 2023, 1:39 pm	#4
Samuel1 Diode Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK. Posts: 3	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x) I did open up the panels on the model and the wheels did look pretty worn and such, so that sounds most likely. Thank you for the quick and detailed response. I probably will just sell them as non-working then.

11th Nov 2023, 3:48 pm	#5
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,167	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x) Have you tried Tim's suggestion? Have you put a tape on and threaded it correctly? __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

11th Nov 2023, 5:45 pm	#6
See_Mos Hexode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ossett, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 470	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x) This has a light sensor at the left side of the head cover so it will not run without a tape. It uses the same lamp to illuminate the green lens. Or you could just use a piece of card and slide it in to the slot.

11th Nov 2023, 9:33 pm	#7
Samuel1 Diode Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK. Posts: 3	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x)? Thanks for the responses, I actually gave it a careful clean and got one of the wheels to start which wasn't before. Going to grab some tapes tomorrow and do another test.

11th Nov 2023, 10:13 pm	#8
ricard Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 1,624	Re: How to test a reel to reel (Tandberg 3300x)? It's quite common for the belt to crumble and fall apart especially if it has never been replaced. The belt drives the reel holders so they will not turn if the belt is broken - but you should be able to hear the motor running when the joystick is in the fast forward, rewind or play positions. In play mode, the capstan is driven by an idler, so it should advance the tape even if the belt is broken. It's likely the pinch roller needs replacing, but usually it is still serviceable enough to pull the tape through, even if accompanied by rumbling noises and uneven playback.