Analyze

Analysing



What can go wrong with the tape echo over the years?

1: The electrolytic capacitors (elco's) can be dried out, strongly expired in values and in the worst case leak and therefore defective.

2: In some places the soldering tin is crumbling or cracking, so that the solder joint is bad.

3: Transistors can become defective.

4: A lot of dust has collected over the years, especially around the motor with its suction power.

5: The potentiometers are dirty, causing them to creak and the values to jump.

6: The rubber pinch roller can be dried out or have a dent because it was not put in the standby position. It is therefore continuously pressed on the shaft (capstan) of the motor.

7: The shaft holes of the rollers are dried out, so that they no longer rotate properly on the shaft and also start to squeak.

8: The heads are no longer properly adjusted (azimuth) which can make the sound dull.

9: The play head(s) or rec head can be a bit worn, causing a lack of contact between the tapeloop and the head.

10: The erase head is not working optimally anymore, causing you to hear the source sound again in the background when passing the play head.

11: The tapeloop mechanism is not well adjusted anymore and the tape does not run smoothly.

12: The heads are heavily soiled, making the sound distant and dull