Links for Reel to Reel
Tape Recorder Enthusiasts
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ClydeSight Tape Recorder Channel on YouTube!
ClydeSight Channel on YouTube features 84 videos for vintage tape recorder lovers. Some are about reel to reel machines, others are about vintage cassette tape recorders.
ALL feature a narrated walkthrough of the functions of each machine, voice and music tests, and an exploration of the inner workings of each machine that has been lovingly restored by ClydeSight.
Find information about YOUR favorite vintage tape recorder on ClydeSight Channel on YouTube Today! Click Here for ClydeSight Channel!
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Help Us Help You!
Our YouTube Tape Recorder Restoration Videos are supported by sales of our products. Please take some time to click on the links at the top of this page and consider purchasing one of our fine products. Your purchase will benefit you AND you will help support our continuing work educating folks about vintage technology.
Tape recorder enthusiasts are always looking for a good source for parts, which are getting harder and harder to find. This page has links to vendors we used in the Wollensak 5750 reel to reel tape recorder restoration/rebuild project. We offer them in hopes they can help others with their projects. All links were live and valid as of December 2007.
We don't repair or rebuild tape recorders. This site is to highlight our composer-in-resident's fascinating adventure with his Wollensak machine. If you are looking for help in restoring a machine you have, be it Akai, Roberts, Sony, etc., we strongly suggest you visit the Web sites listed here. They too have a links page, and by going from link to link, you may find the help you are seeking. Finding answers to questions and solutions to problems often requires a lot of research, there's just no way around it. This Links page can at least give you a start.
Another potential source for help, believe it or not, if "YouTube" (see link at bottom of this page.) There are several videos by people about their tape recorders (who knew reel to reel machines were still so popular?) and you might be able to see something or contact someone there, who can lead you in the right direction. Just search "tape recorder" when you go to You Tube and take a look at the results. At the worst, you'll see some interesting (or not) videos. At best, you may find a lead to getting your question answered.
Other Vintage Tape Recorder Web sites
The Vintage Tape Recorder Hall Of Fame Satellite Web Site
The Vintage Tape Recorder Hall Of Fame is hosted here at ClydeSight Productions.
Rubber Rollers and Other Parts
This is probably the biggest area of concern for reel to reel tape enthusiasts, and no matter how vintage your audio equipment, you'll eventually need belts and idlers. Here are some vendors we used who proved to us to be worthy of our business.
Terry's Rubber Rollers - Terry apparently makes new idlers and rubber part himself. He doesn't ship them out that we know of. His work is excellent and his prices are competitive. His web site is informative and helpful. He is a good resource if you need to have idlers of pinch rollers rebuilt.
Turntable Needles.com. - This company offers belts by manufacturer. We looked up Wollensak and they had a number of belts and options available at reasonable prices. Delivery was fast and follow up was excellent. Click here for a page listing all Wollensak belts (including for the T-1500)
DAE, Inc - If you need parts for a TEAC, this place will have them. Not Wollensak, but useful for TEAC folks.
ACE Hardware - The web site doesn't help as much as the stores do. ACE stores have a pretty large inventory. ACE is the place to get replacement "tires" for a Wollensak 5000 series "power cam". The part is a plumber's "O" ring, 1-3/16" OD (outside diameter) 1/8" thick. I don't have the part number. But it is made by DANCO. I found it in a bin of plumber's parts, you may be able to do the same. If you need little belts, a plumber's O ring (they come in a LOT of sizes might help you out. ACE is also a good place to get Wonder Liner, if you need a replacement for light speaker grill cloth. You'd be surprised what digging around in a hardware store will uncover! They are a tinker's paradise.
Manuals and Service Books
Stereo Manuals.com - You can look up a manual by manufacturer on their web site. Ordering is a b it confusing, but the prices are good and they deliver very fast. If you don't see a manual of photofact document listed, you can write to them and they may be able to help you.
Historical and Other Information
Interface WebCast - This is a new web site that features "technotainment"! It is run by two radio personalities, Scotty D. and J.C. They broadcast every week on Friday's at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time) 7:00 PM (Eastern Time). The "show" has a number of regular features and special guests. They offer techno news, vintage audio information (about tape recorders and turntabes, amp-lifiers, etc.), digital audio and video information, even computer tips and tricks. They also have a live chat line during the show, so you can leave comments and they might even respond to you ON THE AIR! (How cool is THAT?)
It is a great WebCast and a fascinating new approach to spreading the word about all things tech! You never know, they may even devote some time to Wollensak! ClydeSight tunes in every week and SO SHOULD YOU! You'll enjoy it and learn something new. AND if you miss a show, they have all episodes archived, so you can watch on-line at any time! But don't miss a show, it is too exciting to miss.
Phantom Productions has generously provided an on-line resource of vintage electronics catalogs from the 1900's onwards, and they include advertisements. For tape recorder information. click on their section called: Vintage R2R, located in their navigation sidebar.
AudioTools.com claims to be "...the Internet's premier source of dubious information, suspect advice and Uncle Technology on all kinds of hi-fi and audio equipment..." However, for being dubious, they have sent a lot of web pages with information about audio equipment manufacturers. I believe they are being somewhat self-deprecating.
Basic Reel to Reel and Other Tape Recorder Info
Wikipedia has a good basic article on the reel to reel tape recorder.
"How Stuff Works" has a detailed explanation of this sound recording process, focusing on the cassette format which, due to greater convenience and smaller size, replaced the reel to reel format in the home recording arena starting in the late 1960's.
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
3M Company. 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) are the makers of "Scotch®" brand tape products. Besides owning the Wollensak tape recorder division, they also produced magnetic recording tape on reels and cassettes. The company had a reputation for producing a solid performing product at a reasonable price.
Reel To Reel Tape Recorder Videos
YouTube There are a few people who are really into their reel to reel tape recorders. You Tube shows some videos thay have made about their projects. And yes, ClydeSight has a video there too! This link takes you to the serach results for "tape recorder". You can try other searches there also. Some of the video authors may be willing to correspond with you and may have some sources for help with your restoration project.
Please DO NOT ASK US how to sell your old machine or tapes or records. We will NOT respond to selling or value estimate inquiries.
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