Need to play old mono tapes - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

milairuk · 24th Jul 2005, 4:43 pm

Hi all,

I have a lot of old tapes with what I believe have on them lots of recordings of the "Pirate Radio" era. I recorded them on a Truvox 4 track mono @ 7.5 ips (long time lost)

I am looking at some machines on Ebay to buy, but they are all Stereo, however some appear to have track selectors for 1-4 / 2-3 etc. I am guessing this will allow me to hear the old mono recordings as well

Currently looking at a Sony TC640 or TC377, an Akai 4000DS and a Philips N7150. Does anyone have these models and can they confirm that they will allow me to listen to my old tapes? Or does anyone have a suitable machine for sale in the Essex area ?
Thanks
John

Trev757 · 24th Jul 2005, 5:52 pm

John

Hi

I'd be happy to transfer the tapes onto another media for you using my own equipment. I have done this for many people in the past. I don't want anything for doing it, just the postage cost of returning the tapes back to you.

I can put the recordings onto cassette, minidisc or CD.

regards

Trevor

reel-to-reel-man · 26th Jul 2005, 7:30 am

Hello,

1-3 and 2-4 means that the recorders are stereo but are 4 track (Like a cassette) so that you can play on the other side. Where cassette is tracks 1 and 2, 3, and 4, to stop cross talk they placed the track configuration differently. I would suggest the best machine for you would be the Sony TC-377 as its 3 speed, stereo and 4 track (Well most of them) the AKAI 4000D is 4 track stereo and runs at 7.1/2 and 3.3/4 (Cant remember if it does other speeds). If your just looking for a machine for this, I have a Sony TC-377 in working order but missing the head cover, if your interested, send me a PM.

DOFFERY · 26th Jul 2005, 5:35 pm

Hi there , you don't need a stereo machine, any machine with your required speed will suffice, track numbering is the same for mono/stereo.

One of the excellent Philips machines in the 4000 range would suffice, just beware the belts.

Cheers.

Doffery

reel-to-reel-man · 26th Jul 2005, 8:03 pm

Philips I would avoid simply because for he belts and the rest of the rubber parts which turn to liquid, if your looking for a cheap machine then have a look at the following which cover your needs (Mono or better running at 7.1/2 IPS)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...792837447&rd=1
great as its three motor and has internal speaker, frequency response is not the best

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...792276708&rd=1
All round great machine, single motor but great frequency response, very reliable but can be expensive, no internal speaker.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...791977095&rd=1

Like the above but three motor.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...791437321&rd=1

another three motor recorder, not allot to go wrong and again with an internal speaker

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...547524816&rd=1

Like the Ferrograph but I am not too sure of the response.

24th Jul 2005, 4:43 pm	#1
milairuk Pentode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chelmsford, Essex, UK. Posts: 150	Need to play old mono tapes Hi all, I have a lot of old tapes with what I believe have on them lots of recordings of the "Pirate Radio" era. I recorded them on a Truvox 4 track mono @ 7.5 ips (long time lost) I am looking at some machines on Ebay to buy, but they are all Stereo, however some appear to have track selectors for 1-4 / 2-3 etc. I am guessing this will allow me to hear the old mono recordings as well Currently looking at a Sony TC640 or TC377, an Akai 4000DS and a Philips N7150. Does anyone have these models and can they confirm that they will allow me to listen to my old tapes? Or does anyone have a suitable machine for sale in the Essex area ? Thanks John

24th Jul 2005, 5:52 pm	#2
Trev757 Banned Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 218	Re: Need to play old mono tapes John Hi I'd be happy to transfer the tapes onto another media for you using my own equipment. I have done this for many people in the past. I don't want anything for doing it, just the postage cost of returning the tapes back to you. I can put the recordings onto cassette, minidisc or CD. regards Trevor

26th Jul 2005, 7:30 am	#3
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Need to play old mono tapes Hello, 1-3 and 2-4 means that the recorders are stereo but are 4 track (Like a cassette) so that you can play on the other side. Where cassette is tracks 1 and 2, 3, and 4, to stop cross talk they placed the track configuration differently. I would suggest the best machine for you would be the Sony TC-377 as its 3 speed, stereo and 4 track (Well most of them) the AKAI 4000D is 4 track stereo and runs at 7.1/2 and 3.3/4 (Cant remember if it does other speeds). If your just looking for a machine for this, I have a Sony TC-377 in working order but missing the head cover, if your interested, send me a PM. __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

26th Jul 2005, 5:35 pm	#4
DOFFERY Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 1,488	Re: Need to play old mono tapes Hi there , you don't need a stereo machine, any machine with your required speed will suffice, track numbering is the same for mono/stereo. One of the excellent Philips machines in the 4000 range would suffice, just beware the belts. Cheers. Doffery

26th Jul 2005, 8:03 pm	#5
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Need to play old mono tapes Philips I would avoid simply because for he belts and the rest of the rubber parts which turn to liquid, if your looking for a cheap machine then have a look at the following which cover your needs (Mono or better running at 7.1/2 IPS) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...792837447&rd=1 great as its three motor and has internal speaker, frequency response is not the best http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...792276708&rd=1 All round great machine, single motor but great frequency response, very reliable but can be expensive, no internal speaker. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...791977095&rd=1 Like the above but three motor. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...791437321&rd=1 another three motor recorder, not allot to go wrong and again with an internal speaker http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...547524816&rd=1 Like the Ferrograph but I am not too sure of the response. __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk