Analyze
What can go wrong with the tape echo over the years ?
1: The electrolytic capacitors (electrolytic capacitors) can be dried out, highly expired in terms of values and, in the worst case, leaky and thus defective.
2: In some places the solder tin crumbles or cracks, making the solder joint poor.
3: Transistors can malfunction.
4: An enormous amount of dust has collected over the years, especially around the motor with its suction.
5: The potentiometers are dirty which causes them to crack and may cause the values to jump.
6: The rubber pinch roller may be dried out or have a dent because it was not put in the standby position. In other words, it is continuously pressed onto the shaft (capstan) of the motor. This is the case with a number of brands. So a Roland space echo does not have this.
7: The axle holes of the rollers are dried out so they no longer rotate properly on the shaft and also squeak.
8: The heads are no longer properly adjusted (azimuth) so the sound can sound dull.
9: The play head(s) or rec head may be somewhat worn which means there is no longer optimal contact between the tape loop and the head.
10: The erase head is no longer working optimally causing you to hear the source sound again in the background when passing the play head.
11: The drive is no longer properly adjusted so that the tape no longer runs flawlessly.
12: The heads are seriously contaminated so that the sound sounds distant and dull.