Tape play goes warbly after while on tape recorder - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Clockwork_TV · 4th Jul 2016, 10:51 am

Hi All

I've got a Philips stereo valve reel player EL3536 which plays great normally and has a great sound. However recently after about half an hour of playing the sounds goes warbly. Sometimes now it does it from the start. Is it the drive belt maybe? But it rewinds fine and usually does it after a long time of being ok.

Cheers
John

PS it also plays a little slow by a semitone or so I'd guess

brenellic2000 · 4th Jul 2016, 1:30 pm

Does this occur only on certain tapes? Is there an oxide build up on the heads and tape guides?

Clockwork_TV · 4th Jul 2016, 4:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenellic2000

Does this occur only on certain tapes? Is there an oxide build up on the heads and tape guides?

Funnily enough I've just cleaned and demagnetied it. But it did do it before - yes it does it on other tapes but not from turning it on as it did yesterday.

radiotechnician · 4th Jul 2016, 5:59 pm

A fast test for the EL 3536 recorder take up clutch tension is as follows:

Load a tape, and press play.

Then press the pause key.

Remove the take up spool, and carefully lay it on the table.]

Then release pause.

While the tape is loosely spooling on to the table, hold the take up
spindle with your fingers.

It the the pitch lowers, and there appears to be high torque on your fingers,
the felt clutch surface has deteriorated, or the winding tips are touching the
bottom of the turntable.

Elsewhere on the forum, is a detailed drawing of the assembly for this turntable
on this series of machines.

Mach One · 6th Jul 2016, 9:32 am

With some experience of this generation of Philips tape recorders I would also suspect take-up clutch issues for what it is worth. If you hook your finger into the path of the tape as it is being wound onto the take-up reel when it is jittering you might be able to feel the jitter on your finger if that makes any sense.

Clockwork_TV · 6th Jul 2016, 12:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotechnician

Elsewhere on the forum, is a detailed drawing of the assembly for this turntable
on this series of machines.

Thanks, will have a look - I had noticed the take up reel seemed to be wobbling

4th Jul 2016, 10:51 am	#1
Clockwork_TV Pentode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 115	Tape play goes warbly after while on tape recorder Hi All I've got a Philips stereo valve reel player EL3536 which plays great normally and has a great sound. However recently after about half an hour of playing the sounds goes warbly. Sometimes now it does it from the start. Is it the drive belt maybe? But it rewinds fine and usually does it after a long time of being ok. Cheers John PS it also plays a little slow by a semitone or so I'd guess

4th Jul 2016, 1:30 pm	#2
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: Tape play goes warbly after while on tape recorder Does this occur only on certain tapes? Is there an oxide build up on the heads and tape guides?

4th Jul 2016, 5:59 pm	#4
radiotechnician Pentode Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. Posts: 217	Re: Tape play goes warbly after while on tape recorder A fast test for the EL 3536 recorder take up clutch tension is as follows: Load a tape, and press play. Then press the pause key. Remove the take up spool, and carefully lay it on the table.] Then release pause. While the tape is loosely spooling on to the table, hold the take up spindle with your fingers. It the the pitch lowers, and there appears to be high torque on your fingers, the felt clutch surface has deteriorated, or the winding tips are touching the bottom of the turntable. Elsewhere on the forum, is a detailed drawing of the assembly for this turntable on this series of machines. __________________ Steve Dow VE7ASO

6th Jul 2016, 9:32 am	#5
Mach One Heptode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 611	Re: Tape play goes warbly after while on tape recorder With some experience of this generation of Philips tape recorders I would also suspect take-up clutch issues for what it is worth. If you hook your finger into the path of the tape as it is being wound onto the take-up reel when it is jittering you might be able to feel the jitter on your finger if that makes any sense.