** One for the tape gurus .....

See ABSE under same heading for close up pic of a quarter inch play head
from a Roland tape echo machine -
the other two play heads and the record head look just the same.

A. What the heck happened ?

B. What is the easiest way to re-surface the heads ?


The same pic should also be available here in about 24 hours:

http://www.usenet-replayer.com/group...lectronic.html



..... Phil

"Phil Allison" wrote in message
...

** One for the tape gurus .....

See ABSE under same heading for close up pic of a quarter inch play head
from a Roland tape echo machine -
the other two play heads and the record head look just the same.

A. What the heck happened ?

**Nasty. The bottom part of the head is showing (sort of) normal wear. The
top part is showing some really weird wear pattern. I have no suggestions
why it may have occured that way. I presume the tape loop is completely
buggered?


B. What is the easiest way to re-surface the heads ?

**Replace them. I doubt there is enough metal there to allow re-lapping with
any success. You could try BrassoT and complete the job with SilvoT. The
damage is so bad that I doubt that the time taken will make it worthwhile.
You may need to hit it with [SHUDDER] wet and dry (600) first.

How old is that machine? I worked on them about 30 years ago for Roland. I
think I still have a complete set of Roland service manuals from the time.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:

** One for the tape gurus .....

See ABSE under same heading for close up pic of a quarter inch play
head from a Roland tape echo machine - the other two play heads and
the record head look just the same.

A. What the heck happened ?

B. What is the easiest way to re-surface the heads ?


The same pic should also be available here in about 24 hours:

http://www.usenet-replayer.com/group...lectronic.html

Can't actually see a pic of the head there - but might be my browser. We
had a guy at the old Thames TV who used to re-lap the heads of the 24
tracks by hand. Pretty well his life's work. ;-) But if the wear is
severe replacement is the only option. Can't think it's a critical app -
wouldn't near any similar head do?


.... Phil

--
*Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
Trevor Wilson wrote:
**Replace them. I doubt there is enough metal there to allow re-lapping
with any success. You could try BrassoT and complete the job with
SilvoT. The damage is so bad that I doubt that the time taken will make
it worthwhile. You may need to hit it with [SHUDDER] wet and dry (600)
first.

Yes - remember watching a maintenance guy doing just this years ago with
24 track heads. He used wet or dry with oil to start with on a surface
plate. Then progressively finer abrasives. Took him ages.
Never bothered with the 1/4in ones, though - cheaper to replace. But dunno
just how easy they are to source these days. I've got a new set 'in stock'
for the A77s which I'd guess will see me out.

--
*I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Trevor Wilson"
"Phil Allison"
** One for the tape gurus .....

See ABSE under same heading for close up pic of a quarter inch play
head from a Roland tape echo machine -
the other two play heads and the record head look just the same.

A. What the heck happened ?

**Nasty. The bottom part of the head is showing (sort of) normal wear. The
top part is showing some really weird wear pattern. I have no suggestions
why it may have occured that way. I presume the tape loop is completely
buggered?


** Yep.

Worn till you could see through parts of it and oxide shed all over the
place.


B. What is the easiest way to re-surface the heads ?

**Replace them.


** Roland have had no spares or tape loops for their tape echos for the last
decade.


I doubt there is enough metal there to allow re-lapping with any success.
You could try BrassoT and complete the job with SilvoT. The damage is so
bad that I doubt that the time taken will make it worthwhile. You may need
to hit it with [SHUDDER] wet and dry (600) first.

** That is just what I may have to do.


How old is that machine?

** It's a RE201, the original "Space Echo", so may well be up to 30 years
old.

I service quite a few of them, along with the RE301, 501 and 555 models
too - but never come across such damaged heads before. The erase head
looks fine but it is very likely a ferrite type.

Oddly enough, the machine works OK like this, but the damaged heads are
ruining tape loops rather quickly.

Those curious can see a pic of one he

http://cobraworxshopz.com/images/Rol...opOpenTape.jpg

There is a 6 metre loop of special grade tape in the box and it is driven
around the head block by a variable speed " brushless DC " motor. Tape to
head speed is anywhere from about 2ips to 17ips.

There is a spring reverb unit inside too.


...... Phil