Help: TEAC 1230 issues

[lukpac]

For any reel to reel folks, a few issues...

1) The frequency response between the two channels seems a bit off. Or rather, the left channel seems ok, while the right channel seems slightly rolled off. I don't notice it too much in stereo, but when switching between the channels it's easy to spot. I've cleaned the heads. Would demagnetizing help (I don't own one)? Is this common? Any ideas?

2) No matter how hard I try to adjust the playback head, I always get a little bleed from the other side between songs. Now, I've only played a handful of pre-recorded tapes, so I guess I can't say for sure if it's the deck or the tapes, but...is this a common issue too? Any way to fix it?

3) Anyone know if the screws that hold/adjust the heads are available anywhere? I managed to strip the head on one on my deck...

[Bob Lovely]

Luke,

Is the playback head excessively worn? Wear will often affect one channel more than the other based on my experience. Based on your description of the problem, this sounds like at least a possibility if demagnification does not help. "Bleed" from the other side is a common characteristic [weakness] of 1/4-track consumer type Reel tape machines, especially on today's higher output tape, even if the heads are properly aligned. This is one reason why most "pro" machines are at least 1/2-track. You might try TEAC USA for the screws. Full Compass in Middleton might be able to help as well. They may still service Tascam units...

Bob

[lukpac]

Is the playback head excessively worn? Wear will often affect one channel more than the other based on my experience. Based on your description of the problem, this sounds like at least a possibility if demagnification does not help. "Bleed" from the other side is a common characteristic [weakness] of 1/4-track consumer type Reel tape machines, especially on today's higher output tape, even if the heads are properly aligned. This is one reason why most "pro" machines are at least 1/2-track. You might try TEAC USA for the screws. Full Compass in Middleton might be able to help as well. They may still service Tascam units...

I've never noticed the heads *looking* worn. I guess I can look again.

As for Full Compass, any service would probably end up costing more than I paid for the machine, so if it isn't something I can't fix myself...

[Bob Lovely]

I've never noticed the heads *looking* worn. I guess I can look again.

It would not take a lot of excessive wear to hear a difference. Then again, you simply may need a "demag".

As for Full Compass, any service would probably end up costing more than I paid for the machine, so if it isn't something I can't fix myself...

Very true! I had my ca.1983 machine overhauled in Milwaukee a few years ago and it was expensive but, worth it to bring the unit up to specs. Of course, I had purchased the unit new so, it was easier to justify the expense.

Bob-:)

[lukpac]

Then again, you simply may need a "demag".

Recommendations?

[Bob Lovely]

Recommendations?

You will need a head demagnetizer unit. I would do a search on the web.

Bob-:)

[lukpac]

You will need a head demagnetizer unit. I would do a search on the web.

I was just wondering if you had specific experiences or recommendations of any...

[-=Rudy=-]

Radio Shack used to sell a demagnetizer, but mine's probably 25+ years old.

If you want to do a quick test for worn heads, run your fingernail top to bottom along the head. If it "catches" near the edges, there's noticeable wear. My Sony is like this, but my Teac A-3300S is fine. BTW, I ordered my NAB hubs (to play 10-1/2" reels) directly from Teac's customer service, which ended up being cheaper than others who were reselling them on eBay and elsewhere. That was probably three or more years ago--I have no idea if their parts department is still active or not. Worn heads can sometimes be relapped, but I don't know if new heads cost all that much more. (Relapping is basically polishing the surface until the "groove" worn in it is smoothed out.)

You may also need a proper head alignment. I've read it's not as easy as doing it on a cassette deck, and requires an alignment tape to do it properly. I think reel deck heads are adjustable in a couple of different angles.

[Bob Lovely]

I was just wondering if you had specific experiences or recommendations of any...

I have an old Teac unit that I purchased many years ago back in the 1980's. These units last a lifetime. I presume that Tascam/Teac still sells them. Full Compass might even carry them. Worth a shot...

Bob-:)

[lukpac]

You may also need a proper head alignment. I've read it's not as easy as doing it on a cassette deck, and requires an alignment tape to do it properly. I think reel deck heads are adjustable in a couple of different angles.

Well, the 1230 has three screws, and I've adjusted all 3. No matter what I do, the right channel is still rolled off a bit, so I'm pretty sure that's not the issue.

[Kent Teffeteller]

Hi,

Sounds like worn out heads. You likely need new ones or a relapping. Try John French at JRF Magnetics (google them). As far as demagnetizers, the famous Han-D-Mag is all you really need. The best.

[Damián]

You might want to try Tape Asylum (http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/tape/bbs.html) for even more advice, if you haven't. Good luck with that.

[lukpac]

Sounds like worn out heads. You likely need new ones or a relapping. Try John French at JRF Magnetics (google them). As far as demagnetizers, the famous Han-D-Mag is all you really need. The best.

Ack! More than I paid for the machine!

[Bob Lovely]

Ack! More than I paid for the machine!

Luke,

Full Compass has (2) different units listed in their catalog, both for $77 and some change...

Bob

[lukpac]

Full Compass has (2) different units listed in their catalog, both for $77 and some change...

Well, considering I paid $50 for it...

[Bob Lovely]

Well, considering I paid $50 for it...

Welcome to the Reel tape hobby. While the machines can now be "had" for little money, the real expense in the hobby is in machine maintenence and studio quality tape stock.

Bob-:)

[lukpac]

Revisiting this...

A while ago I opened it up to see if there was anything I could do about the frequency response. Sure enough, I found a couple of pots, one for the left channel and one for the right, that control high frequency response. After a bit of twiddling, I got the left and right channels matched, at least as far as listening goes (I don't have an alignment tape or test equipment or anything). So, one problem solved.

There is another issue, however, which I didn't mention originally. There's what I would consider a nontrivial amount of hiss coming from the unit. Powered on with monitor set to "Source", there's a bit of hum/hiss coming through. Switching to "Tape" (but without anything playing), there's significantly more hiss. It's still quite a bit less than what gets picked up when a tape is actually playing, but it would still be nice to reduce it as much as possible. Are there common (easily fixed) reasons for that?

I really wish I could reduce the crosstalk from the other side of the tape a bit too...