Hello,

I was just locally offered an MCI 1" 8 track in "working condition".
(No mention of the exact model #). The guy asked what I would offer
him. I wrote back that "it all depends on the condition of the heads
and motors and if the machine was high usage or not". Truthfully I know
next to nothing about current prices for this type of recorder. Can
someone please tell me how I should approach the seller, what to ask
(and find out) and also what amount of $ to offer. Btw, my only
experience is with semi-pro open reel analog decks such as that from
TEAC and TASCAM so I'll need some guidance with regards to this MCI.

Sincere thanks for your reply,

Dan

DL wrote:
I was just locally offered an MCI 1" 8 track in "working condition".
(No mention of the exact model #). The guy asked what I would offer
him. I wrote back that "it all depends on the condition of the heads
and motors and if the machine was high usage or not". Truthfully I know
next to nothing about current prices for this type of recorder. Can
someone please tell me how I should approach the seller, what to ask
(and find out) and also what amount of $ to offer. Btw, my only
experience is with semi-pro open reel analog decks such as that from
TEAC and TASCAM so I'll need some guidance with regards to this MCI.

Get a head report from JRF. Offer whatever John tells you it's worth.
For most of these machines, the heads are worth more than the rest of
the machine. You're buying a headstack and getting a tape deck for
free along with it.

Alternatively you can just lowball it and see what happens. If he does
not know enough about the machine to even tell you what model it is,
he doesn't know what it's worth either. You can just offer $200 sight
unseen and see what happens. If it's a JH-110, which statistically
speaking it probably is, there isn't much to worry about other than
the heads. Everything else can be fixed.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Just found out that the person owns a popular pro studio here in town
but before going in to check the machine out, I'd like to know what I
should be looking at (other than tape path condition) and what I'm
offering. Thanks again guys.

Dan

Thanks VERY much Scott! Yeah, I'll use some of what you advise re heads
etc .. It's near by so I'll see if I can make my way there to talk to
the guy in person.

Again, thank you very much for your reply!

DL wrote:
Just found out that the person owns a popular pro studio here in town
but before going in to check the machine out, I'd like to know what I
should be looking at (other than tape path condition) and what I'm
offering. Thanks again guys.

Dan

Another thought... In this day and age, a new 1" MRL tape will cost
almost as much as the machine is worth. If this eminates from a pro
studio, see if he/she will include a usable MRL.

For what it's worth, a couple (OK, a few) years ago at a NARAS surround
mix forum in NYC, all the golden ears on the deus hired to remix
classic rock/pop etc. agreed that analog 1" eight track was their
mixdown medium of choice.

kellykevm wrote:

Another thought... In this day and age, a new 1" MRL tape will cost
almost as much as the machine is worth. If this eminates from a pro
studio, see if he/she will include a usable MRL.

Good point thank you!



For what it's worth, a couple (OK, a few) years ago at a NARAS surround
mix forum in NYC, all the golden ears on the deus hired to remix
classic rock/pop etc. agreed that analog 1" eight track was their
mixdown medium of choice.

Yeah, when I heard a 1" 8 track I almost sh*t my pants! OMG! What a
sound!! I love the sound of my 'fore mentioned semi-pro recorders but
this W I D E format really does sound amazing! Too bad I can't get my
hands on a Brennell mini 8 track. Those would really be cool to have
too!

DL wrote:

Yeah, when I heard a 1" 8 track I almost sh*t my pants! OMG! What a
sound!! I love the sound of my 'fore mentioned semi-pro recorders but
this W I D E format really does sound amazing! Too bad I can't get my
hands on a Brennell mini 8 track. Those would really be cool to have
too!

Why not just get a 2" 16 track? More common and twice as many tracks.
Same sound.

Dr. Dolittle wrote:
DL wrote:

Yeah, when I heard a 1" 8 track I almost sh*t my pants! OMG! What a
sound!! I love the sound of my 'fore mentioned semi-pro recorders but
this W I D E format really does sound amazing! Too bad I can't get my
hands on a Brennell mini 8 track. Those would really be cool to have
too!

Why not just get a 2" 16 track? More common and twice as many tracks.
Same sound.

I've never felt I needed more than 8 tracks and if I ever do
(unlikely), I'll just bounce. Plus 1" tape is cheaper.

....or use it as a front end for a DAW. Have as many analog tracks as you
want, while using the tape over and over

Rick
"DL" wrote in message
ups.com...

Dr. Dolittle wrote:
DL wrote:

Yeah, when I heard a 1" 8 track I almost sh*t my pants! OMG! What a
sound!! I love the sound of my 'fore mentioned semi-pro recorders but
this W I D E format really does sound amazing! Too bad I can't get my
hands on a Brennell mini 8 track. Those would really be cool to have
too!

Why not just get a 2" 16 track? More common and twice as many tracks.
Same sound.

I've never felt I needed more than 8 tracks and if I ever do
(unlikely), I'll just bounce. Plus 1" tape is cheaper.

Dr. Dolittle wrote:
DL wrote:

Yeah, when I heard a 1" 8 track I almost sh*t my pants! OMG! What a
sound!! I love the sound of my 'fore mentioned semi-pro recorders but
this W I D E format really does sound amazing! Too bad I can't get my
hands on a Brennell mini 8 track. Those would really be cool to have
too!

Why not just get a 2" 16 track? More common and twice as many tracks.
Same sound.

Higher tape costs, heavier to carry around.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Scott Dorsey wrote:


Higher tape costs, heavier to carry around.


Well sure, if he is going to use it as a portable system. And yes the
tape costs more. Of course he could run it twice with 8 tracks at a shot.