Conference napalm::commusic_v1

1969.0. "RTR Tape Deck Problem" by NRPUR::DEATON (tired of thinking up cute quotes) Fri Apr 21 1989 10:28

	Well, I did a search and couldn't find this topic (though I thought it 
may have been covered).

	I was trying out a tape deck last night and found that when playing back
some (old) tapes, there was an awful squeal.  It appeared to be coming from the
roller bearing on the 'feed' side of the head.  I found that if I used head
cleaning fluid it would go away but only temporarily.  Later, going back to re-
play the same tape, the problem seemed to be gone.  Putting on a different tape 
started the same thing all over again.

	Did this happen just because the tapes were old and perhaps hadn't been
pleyed back in some time?  Is there something in the way a tape ages that causes
this?  Or is the problem in the deck and will occur when I try out a new tape?

	There were other problems with the deck, such as an intermittent meter,
and I'm hanging in the balance as to whether I should return it (I have an 
arrangement worked out to try it for a day).  If it weren't for the good price I
got it for, I'd have brought it back in an instant.

	Any advice?

	Dan

	re: .-1 Dan

	Squealing is probably happening because of one or more of the following:

	1) Incorrect tape tension (from worn pads/clutches)
	2) Dirty tape path
	3) Misaligned tape path
	4) Cheap plastic reels

	Try the finger on the tape flange trick to see if it's the tape tension,
	otherwise, you may have to adjust the alignment of the deck. Make sure
	the reels aren't warped. Clean the pads. If you have the inclination,
	yank the top panel off the deck and have a look at the clutches. If 
	they have dust/dirt/other crud on them, clean them.

	Hope this helps, it's kept one of my decks alive for the last 8 years.

	/pjh