Ampex electronics for the best possible sound
- Thread starter RogerD
- Start date
One of the best interviews ever done with Rudy Van Gelder is on Jazz Wax Blog. The images, words & thought process that went into the recording make for exceptional reading. I love the images of the Ampex 300 recorders & Scully cutting lathe.My most treasured cd's are by Rudy on the Prestige label.
http://www.jazzwax.com/2012/02/interview-rudy-van-gelder-part-1.html
Rudy at Edgewood Cliffs NJ with his pair of Ampex 300 full track recorders
The great Bill Evans @RVG Studio
Notice the laminated wood beam cathedral ceiling and the stone bricks mentioned in the article.
http://www.jazzwax.com/2012/02/interview-rudy-van-gelder-part-1.html
Rudy at Edgewood Cliffs NJ with his pair of Ampex 300 full track recorders
The great Bill Evans @RVG Studio
Notice the laminated wood beam cathedral ceiling and the stone bricks mentioned in the article.
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I'm going to pickup a Ampex MR70 1/2 inch 4 track Saturday. I will post some photos next week. Btw it runs too!
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Picked up my MR70 and also purchased 2 other MR70's and a shopping cart full of parts. I am severely troubled I believe and need some serious help.
Hey, Hi Roger! :b ...And don't count on me; I'm inside my igloo here up North.
Hey Bob,the high desert isn't much better and can get hot as hell too.
I found out that this 1/2 inch and the 1/4 inch that I snagged belonged to Dan Healy of the Grateful Dead fame. I guess Dan used these MR70's and also a 1 inch 4 track to record the band back in the early days. Just some history on these machines.
Picked up my MR70 and also purchased 2 other MR70's and a shopping cart full of parts. I am severely troubled I believe and need some serious help.
Well don't go to Ki's therapist!
Hey Bob,the high desert isn't much better and can get hot as hell too.
I found out that this 1/2 inch and the 1/4 inch that I snagged belonged to Dan Healy of the Grateful Dead fame. I guess Dan used these MR70's and also a 1 inch 4 track to record the band back in the early days. Just some history on these machines.
Very cool! Little history with every machine.
Hi Myles, very true and it is neet to actually find out what the history actually is. This 1/2 inch machine was originally a 3 track machine and Dan converted it to a 4 track. Some time later 8 and 16 track machines were being sold so these 2,3,and 4 track machines became obsolete. I really don't have a need for the 4 track,but these were reasonable in price,so I couldn't refuse. I plan to have one of my 1/4 inch decks setup for NAB tapes and the other CCIR,kinda of over the top but the 1/4 inch machine is like new and I doubt Dan used it very much in the studio. All in all the RE(seller had 3 MR70's and 2 transports and parts),so he wanted me to take everything. I said make me a deal and he did.
http://jerrygarciasbrokendownpalace.../commercial-recorders-149-natoma-between.html
http://ifthesehallscouldtalk.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/coast-recorders-v1/
If I had to guess these machines,might have come from Coast Recorders
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I picked up a like new 1/4 inch headstack and installed it on my first MR70. What wonderful sound as I'm playing some of my favorite 2 track tapes. Also the transport works like a dream,quiet and the fast toggle tape speed switch is a dream come true(Ampex). I'm going to install the JRF headstack on my other 1/4 inch machine in about 2 weeks time.
What power....the hammer in a velvet glove,I'm in love.
What power....the hammer in a velvet glove,I'm in love.
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One finished and two to go. I think this one came out well cosmetically,I'm hoping the others come out as well.
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I have started to clean up the 1/2 inch 4 track. Considering the history and age it is in pretty good shape. Hopefully I can bring it up on my variac in the next few days.
Hey Roger:
If I only had a little more room in my house, I would help you by adopting one of the MR70s...
---- I can hear Myles laughing in NYC as I type this in Seattle...
If I only had a little more room in my house, I would help you by adopting one of the MR70s...
---- I can hear Myles laughing in NYC as I type this in Seattle...
Hi Ki
Let me know if the itch becomes unbearable. I know where there is another 1/4 inch 2 track and it runs.
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Roger, you are certainly a true passionate.
* Looks real good, in those pictures just above.
Keep it up till the music is rolling & playing in the real air.
And of course, we all wanna know how it is 'reproducing' in your ears. :b
Bests,
Bob
* Looks real good, in those pictures just above.
Keep it up till the music is rolling & playing in the real air.
And of course, we all wanna know how it is 'reproducing' in your ears. :b
Bests,
Bob
I brought the transport up on a variac today and everything seems to be working fine. The machine has a service decal from a company in the L.A. area and a 3 prong IEC plug has been installed,which is a good sign. I might go down and P/U the 1/4 inch machine this weekend,if I catch a 2nd wind. I now plan to bring the meter bridge and trim pieces to have powder coated. This 1/2 inch 4 track is a beast,the electronics weigh 140 pounds and the transport is about 130 pounds,a big machine.
I forgot to mention that the motors are smooth and quiet,as the seller said he had the motors rebuilt and the flywheel re-done. That's half the battle with these machines.
The electronics were very clean and came with the rare cover plates ...very happy
Next week I will send John at JRF the 1/2 inch headstack to get cleaned and lapped. I will also send another headstack to get 1/4" heads fitted.
I forgot to mention that the motors are smooth and quiet,as the seller said he had the motors rebuilt and the flywheel re-done. That's half the battle with these machines.
The electronics were very clean and came with the rare cover plates ...very happy
Next week I will send John at JRF the 1/2 inch headstack to get cleaned and lapped. I will also send another headstack to get 1/4" heads fitted.
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