Technics Rs-1500 Open Reel Question

[Technics Fan]

Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I am putting in the correct spot.

Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel tape deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely used and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals, reel, dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and sounds fantastic.

Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of 4T (4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is playing in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as being a problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track tapes play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads are perfect and show zero wear.

Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it does excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a simple issue would like to fix.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[whosbest54[_2_]]

In article >,
says...
>Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I am
>putting in the correct spot.
>
>Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel tape
>deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely used
>and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals, reel,
>dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and sounds
>fantastic.
>
>Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of 4T
>(4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is playing
>in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as being a
>problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track tapes
>play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads are
>perfect and show zero wear.
>
>Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it does
>excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a
>simple issue would like to fix.
>
>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>
I've seen a lot of open reel decks, but I've never seen one of these.
Very nice deck. This page was helpful:

<http://ronpellegrinoselectronicartsproductions.org/Pages/OhNineSiteExten
sionD/TechnicsAnalogStereoDeck.html>

Looks like it has 2 sets of playback heads, one for half track stereo and
the other for quarter track (2 sided stereo or 4 track) and the switch is
suppose to change between heads. Assuming both heads are present (you
can easily tell by looking), perhaps the switch is bad and needs to be
cleaned. There may be some other problem that doesn't allow the playback
to switch between them, but cleaning the switch with contact cleaner
would be the first thing I'd try.

whosbest54
--
The flamewars are over...if you want it.

Unofficial rec.audio.opinion Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rao.htm

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http://whosbest54.netau.net/rmb.html

[Mark Zacharias[_3_]]

"whosbest54" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> says...
>>Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I am
>>putting in the correct spot.
>>
>>Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel tape
>>deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely used
>>and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals, reel,
>>dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and sounds
>>fantastic.
>>
>>Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of 4T
>>(4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is playing
>>in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as being a
>>problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track tapes
>>play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads are
>>perfect and show zero wear.
>>
>>Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it does
>>excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a
>>simple issue would like to fix.
>>
>>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>>
> I've seen a lot of open reel decks, but I've never seen one of these.
> Very nice deck. This page was helpful:
>
> <http://ronpellegrinoselectronicartsproductions.org/Pages/OhNineSiteExten
> sionD/TechnicsAnalogStereoDeck.html>
>
> Looks like it has 2 sets of playback heads, one for half track stereo and
> the other for quarter track (2 sided stereo or 4 track) and the switch is
> suppose to change between heads. Assuming both heads are present (you
> can easily tell by looking), perhaps the switch is bad and needs to be
> cleaned. There may be some other problem that doesn't allow the playback
> to switch between them, but cleaning the switch with contact cleaner
> would be the first thing I'd try.
>
> whosbest54
> --
> The flamewars are over...if you want it.
>
> Unofficial rec.audio.opinion Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
> http://whosbest54.netau.net/rao.htm
>
> Unofficial rec.music.beatles Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
> http://whosbest54.netau.net/rmb.html
>


This really should not happen - the 2-track/4-track switch is just a
mechanical switch in the head cover. Maybe somehow there is two 1/2 track
heads in there...

Mark Z.

[Trevor]

"Mark Zacharias" > wrote in message
eb.com...
> "whosbest54" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In article >,
>> says...
>>>Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I am
>>>putting in the correct spot.
>>>
>>>Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel tape
>>>deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely used
>>>and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals, reel,
>>>dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and sounds
>>>fantastic.
>>>
>>>Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of 4T
>>>(4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is playing
>>>in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as being a
>>>problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track tapes
>>>play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads are
>>>perfect and show zero wear.
>>>
>>>Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it does
>>>excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a
>>>simple issue would like to fix.
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>>>
>> I've seen a lot of open reel decks, but I've never seen one of these.
>> Very nice deck. This page was helpful:
>>
>> <http://ronpellegrinoselectronicartsproductions.org/Pages/OhNineSiteExten
>> sionD/TechnicsAnalogStereoDeck.html>
>>
>> Looks like it has 2 sets of playback heads, one for half track stereo and
>> the other for quarter track (2 sided stereo or 4 track) and the switch is
>> suppose to change between heads. Assuming both heads are present (you
>> can easily tell by looking), perhaps the switch is bad and needs to be
>> cleaned. There may be some other problem that doesn't allow the playback
>> to switch between them, but cleaning the switch with contact cleaner
>> would be the first thing I'd try.
>
> This really should not happen - the 2-track/4-track switch is just a
> mechanical switch in the head cover. Maybe somehow there is two 1/2 track
> heads in there...
>


More likely the 4 track head is misaligned and it just sounds like it's
acting as a 2 track head.

Trevor.

[Mark Zacharias[_3_]]

"Trevor" > wrote in message
u...
>
> "Mark Zacharias" > wrote in message
> eb.com...
>> "whosbest54" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In article >,
>>> says...
>>>>Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I am
>>>>putting in the correct spot.
>>>>
>>>>Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel tape
>>>>deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely used
>>>>and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals, reel,
>>>>dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and sounds
>>>>fantastic.
>>>>
>>>>Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of 4T
>>>>(4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is playing
>>>>in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as being a
>>>>problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track tapes
>>>>play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads are
>>>>perfect and show zero wear.
>>>>
>>>>Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it does
>>>>excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a
>>>>simple issue would like to fix.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>>>>
>>> I've seen a lot of open reel decks, but I've never seen one of these.
>>> Very nice deck. This page was helpful:
>>>
>>> <http://ronpellegrinoselectronicartsproductions.org/Pages/OhNineSiteExten
>>> sionD/TechnicsAnalogStereoDeck.html>
>>>
>>> Looks like it has 2 sets of playback heads, one for half track stereo
>>> and
>>> the other for quarter track (2 sided stereo or 4 track) and the switch
>>> is
>>> suppose to change between heads. Assuming both heads are present (you
>>> can easily tell by looking), perhaps the switch is bad and needs to be
>>> cleaned. There may be some other problem that doesn't allow the
>>> playback
>>> to switch between them, but cleaning the switch with contact cleaner
>>> would be the first thing I'd try.
>>
>> This really should not happen - the 2-track/4-track switch is just a
>> mechanical switch in the head cover. Maybe somehow there is two 1/2 track
>> heads in there...
>>
>
>
> More likely the 4 track head is misaligned and it just sounds like it's
> acting as a 2 track head.
>
> Trevor.
>
>

You're correct - that does sound much more likely.

mz

[Technics Fan]

;928698']"Trevor" > wrote in message
u...
>
> "Mark Zacharias" > wrote in message
> eb.com...
>> "whosbest54" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In article >,
>>> says...
>>>>Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I am
>>>>putting in the correct spot.
>>>>
>>>>Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel tape
>>>>deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely used
>>>>and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals, reel,
>>>>dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and sounds
>>>>fantastic.
>>>>
>>>>Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of 4T
>>>>(4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is playing
>>>>in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as being a
>>>>problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track tapes
>>>>play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads are
>>>>perfect and show zero wear.
>>>>
>>>>Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it does
>>>>excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a
>>>>simple issue would like to fix.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>>>>
>>> I've seen a lot of open reel decks, but I've never seen one of these.
>>> Very nice deck. This page was helpful:
>>>
>>> <http://ronpellegrinoselectronicartsproductions.org/Pages/OhNineSiteExten
>>> sionD/TechnicsAnalogStereoDeck.html>
>>>
>>> Looks like it has 2 sets of playback heads, one for half track stereo
>>> and
>>> the other for quarter track (2 sided stereo or 4 track) and the switch
>>> is
>>> suppose to change between heads. Assuming both heads are present (you
>>> can easily tell by looking), perhaps the switch is bad and needs to be
>>> cleaned. There may be some other problem that doesn't allow the
>>> playback
>>> to switch between them, but cleaning the switch with contact cleaner
>>> would be the first thing I'd try.
>>
>> This really should not happen - the 2-track/4-track switch is just a
>> mechanical switch in the head cover. Maybe somehow there is two 1/2 track
>> heads in there...
>>
>
>
> More likely the 4 track head is misaligned and it just sounds like it's
> acting as a 2 track head.
>
> Trevor.
>
>

You're correct - that does sound much more likely.

mz

Thanks for the info..I know the switch is good..has to be something else..is there a procedure/instructions for attempting to re-align the head? I am technical, I just have not aligned many tape heads. It looks like there are adjusting screws on the head block. I dont think I have much to lose as if I target the 4 track playback head (looking at unit I believe it is top/left side of block) if I do incorrectly it wont effect any of my 2 track operations. Any directions would be appreciated. thanks.

[chuck]

On Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:22:06 +0000, Technics Fan
> wrote:

>
>'Mark Zacharias[_3_ Wrote:
>> ;928698']"Trevor" > wrote in message
>> u...-
>> >
>> > "Mark Zacharias" > wrote in message
>> > eb.com...-
>> >> "whosbest54" > wrote in message
>> >> ...-
>> >>> In article >,
>> >>> says...
>> >>>>Hello Everyone..I am new to this site (first posting) so hopefully I
>> am
>> >>>>putting in the correct spot.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>Recently picked up a Technics RS-1500 Technics 2 track open reel
>> tape
>> >>>>deck. Basically a time capsule. Person owned it from new, rarely
>> used
>> >>>>and came with everything as the day he bought it (box, manuals,
>> reel,
>> >>>>dust cover, hubs, etc.) Physically and mechanically perfect and
>> sounds
>> >>>>fantastic.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>Only one issue that is odd. If I choose the playback head option of
>> 4T
>> >>>>(4 track) and play a factory 4 track tape, it sounds likes it is
>> playing
>> >>>>in 2T mode. The 4T/2T head switch is tight and does not show as
>> being a
>> >>>>problem, etc. I have many other open reel decks and my 4 track
>> tapes
>> >>>>play perfect on them. Any ideas why this is happening? The heads
>> are
>> >>>>perfect and show zero wear.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>Its not a big deal as i bought this for recording purposes which it
>> does
>> >>>>excellently. Just curious as to what could be the problem and if a
>> >>>>simple issue would like to fix.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>> >>>>
>> >>> I've seen a lot of open reel decks, but I've never seen one of
>> these.
>> >>> Very nice deck. This page was helpful:
>> >>>
>> >>> <http://tinyurl.com/4923vfs
>> >>> sionD/TechnicsAnalogStereoDeck.html>
>> >>>
>> >>> Looks like it has 2 sets of playback heads, one for half track
>> stereo
>> >>> and
>> >>> the other for quarter track (2 sided stereo or 4 track) and the
>> switch
>> >>> is
>> >>> suppose to change between heads. Assuming both heads are present
>> (you
>> >>> can easily tell by looking), perhaps the switch is bad and needs to
>> be
>> >>> cleaned. There may be some other problem that doesn't allow the
>> >>> playback
>> >>> to switch between them, but cleaning the switch with contact
>> cleaner
>> >>> would be the first thing I'd try.-
>> >>
>> >> This really should not happen - the 2-track/4-track switch is just a
>>
>> >> mechanical switch in the head cover. Maybe somehow there is two 1/2
>> track
>> >> heads in there...
>> >>-
>> >
>> >
>> > More likely the 4 track head is misaligned and it just sounds like
>> it's
>> > acting as a 2 track head.
>> >
>> > Trevor.
>> >
>> >-
>>
>> You're correct - that does sound much more likely.
>>
>> mz
>
>Thanks for the info..I know the switch is good..has to be something
>else..is there a procedure/instructions for attempting to re-align the
>head? I am technical, I just have not aligned many tape heads. It looks
>like there are adjusting screws on the head block. I dont think I have
>much to lose as if I target the 4 track playback head (looking at unit I
>believe it is top/left side of block) if I do incorrectly it wont effect
>any of my 2 track operations. Any directions would be appreciated.
>thanks.
You need to buy or borrow an alignment tape and use an oscilliscope
to monitor the deck's output. I hope someone can provide you with the
specific instructions for that deck as my service manual is long gone.
Chuck

[Trevor]

"chuck" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:22:06 +0000, Technics Fan
> > wrote:
>>'Mark Zacharias[_3_ Wrote:
>>> ;928698']"Trevor" > wrote in message
>>> u...-
>>> > More likely the 4 track head is misaligned and it just sounds like
>>> > it's acting as a 2 track head.
>>> >
>>> > Trevor.
>>> >
>>> >-
>>>
>>> You're correct - that does sound much more likely.
>>>
>>> mz
>>
>>Thanks for the info..I know the switch is good..has to be something
>>else..is there a procedure/instructions for attempting to re-align the
>>head? I am technical, I just have not aligned many tape heads. It looks
>>like there are adjusting screws on the head block. I dont think I have
>>much to lose as if I target the 4 track playback head (looking at unit I
>>believe it is top/left side of block) if I do incorrectly it wont effect
>>any of my 2 track operations. Any directions would be appreciated.
>>thanks.
> You need to buy or borrow an alignment tape and use an oscilliscope
> to monitor the deck's output. I hope someone can provide you with the
> specific instructions for that deck as my service manual is long gone.
> Chuck


Whilst an alignment tape and CRO is the best method for doing the job, if it
is as bad as it seems he is correct in assuming he can't make it worse. Just
leave the 2 track head alone, although there are no guarantees it is aligned
properly either. You won't get the obvious problems with 2 track playback,
but you may not be getting the best frequency performance either.

And remember you can use a computer soundcard and software to do the job of
an audio CRO these days. There is even freeware available.
The real problem is finding a test tape. However if you just want to align
it to play tapes from another deck, simply record test tones using the other
deck. There is no shortage of software that can generate the test tones for
you as well.

Good luck.

Trevor.