I have just been offered........
- Thread starter Johnny Vinyl
- Start date
Just one note - there are a few sellers at the german ebay who usually have them for sale at a cheap price.
And you can write them in english!
I have a feeling they are both going to be in fairly decent condition as they were only used during the band's recording sessions. I'm surely not going to keep both of them, so I'll able to recoup a good portion of the $500 via a resale. From what I've seen, the price on these units is all over the place. They can be had for $200-$250 all the way up to $700-$750. I'd say the average is probably around $350-$400. All of this a still pure speculation, and I need to see both units operating.
I was informed yesterday that the person selling these units wouldn't be available next Tuesday, and could I come Sunday morning (today). Will I did and just got back.
Here are my observations.
1. They look rough IMO with what appears to be smoke damage (see discolouration).
2. All functions work properly with no glitches.
3. Listening through headphones it sounded fine with no dropouts or other anomalies.
3. Could not take pictures of the heads as it would have to be taken apart.
4. This is a 2-track high-speed deck (7.5 and 15ips). This surpsied me as I thought the A77 only came in a 3.75/7.5 configuration. I have since found out that it also comes in an even lower speed configuration.
5. I omitted to lift the faceplate to check for a Model No. Tape seemed to be moving smoothly without any hesitation.
6. There was scraping noise coming from the left reel, although the metal left reel looked fine.
7. The right metal reel was warped on the back side.
I've attached some pictures and await your opinion. Please be brutally honest as I can't afford to make a mistake.
Here are my observations.
1. They look rough IMO with what appears to be smoke damage (see discolouration).
2. All functions work properly with no glitches.
3. Listening through headphones it sounded fine with no dropouts or other anomalies.
3. Could not take pictures of the heads as it would have to be taken apart.
4. This is a 2-track high-speed deck (7.5 and 15ips). This surpsied me as I thought the A77 only came in a 3.75/7.5 configuration. I have since found out that it also comes in an even lower speed configuration.
5. I omitted to lift the faceplate to check for a Model No. Tape seemed to be moving smoothly without any hesitation.
6. There was scraping noise coming from the left reel, although the metal left reel looked fine.
7. The right metal reel was warped on the back side.
I've attached some pictures and await your opinion. Please be brutally honest as I can't afford to make a mistake.
Although I would like to know more about head conditions, from the photos you posted,general condition seems much better than the typical machines you find at the price you are paying. The scraping noise should can be due to the reel, not the machine.
My advice would be buy them immediately - 2 track high speed machines are much more valuable than the 3.75/7 ips ones.. Do not forget to ask the vendor to include the NAB adapters, as they are expensive.
My advice would be buy them immediately - 2 track high speed machines are much more valuable than the 3.75/7 ips ones.. Do not forget to ask the vendor to include the NAB adapters, as they are expensive.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Thanks guys. I have just sent an email asking if I could take them home to inspect them more thoroughly before making a decision.
If they have been in a studio enviroment that smoke discoloration is very common. A good soap and hot water cleaning should clean them up pretty well. You can also use some q-tips and alcohol for parts on the inside,that is tedious and requires some care.
As an aside, this guys place was amazing. He has a home recording studio and he's a collector of Fender and Gibson guitars. I saw at least 30 guitars hanging on his wall, but there was one that stood out. It's upstairs in his bar in a locked case, and is a perfect replica of Eric Clapton's "Blackie". There were only 300 made (EC has the first replica and actually plays it)......he paid $30,000 for this axe.
If they sound fine, I would buy them. You can clean them up and always recoup your money in the future. You probably should clean the pinch roller as that will could explain some of the tape noise. See if he has any spare reels that are in good shape,maybe he'll throw them in on the deal.
We just kind of generally chatted, but I beleive they will include the hubs, metal reels a one or two tapes....one might even be brand new and still sealed. Not sure on that, as he also has a Fostex B16, an Akai and a Pioneer ready to go.
EDIT: You won't believe this, but the pool in his backyard is in the shape of a Gibson Les Paul.
not so great a deal
John,
Sorry, but two low speed A77's for $500 is not a bargain, especially if you might want to "audition" 15ips tapes "down the road".
I love Revox'es, but for that kind of money I'd look for a high speed unit or maybe a (later) B77 or PR99.
Charles
John,
Sorry, but two low speed A77's for $500 is not a bargain, especially if you might want to "audition" 15ips tapes "down the road".
I love Revox'es, but for that kind of money I'd look for a high speed unit or maybe a (later) B77 or PR99.
Charles
I'm confused Charles...the units are high-speed (7.5 and 15ips).
Are they been converted ? or originally (7.5 and 15) ? A77 suppose is low speedy version only with 4 track, B77 is 2 track with high speedy
tony ma
Like I said in my earlier post, I did not take a pic with the cover up, so I can't be sure what the model # is, but the pics I posted clearly show the speeds to be 7.5 and 15ips. I will confirm with the buyer as to the exact model #. Is it a Mrk III? I beleive that model to be 2track and high-speed 7.5/15ips.
Hi John,
They look like high speed A77 machines; as to which version, I am no expert. But, look at this recent eBay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=180650817201&nma=true&rt=nc&si=hEiYteOhdVa9psEO1II8FXmijVs%253D
Rich
They look like high speed A77 machines; as to which version, I am no expert. But, look at this recent eBay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=180650817201&nma=true&rt=nc&si=hEiYteOhdVa9psEO1II8FXmijVs%253D
Rich
Tony-A77s were made in two track high-speed versions as well as the more common lower speed versions.
They are clearly marked on the face plates as 7 1/2 ips and 15 ips. No debate there.
John,
Look at the capstan shaft in your first picture - it is a large diameter one, used in the 7.5 - 15 ips machines. If you have doubts, look at the picture shown in page 15 of the A77 service manual, that describes the 3.75 - 7.5 ips version. The shown motor has a shaft with an initial conical shape with half the diameter of the version shown in your picture.
Look at the capstan shaft in your first picture - it is a large diameter one, used in the 7.5 - 15 ips machines. If you have doubts, look at the picture shown in page 15 of the A77 service manual, that describes the 3.75 - 7.5 ips version. The shown motor has a shaft with an initial conical shape with half the diameter of the version shown in your picture.
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