Thanks for the tip, Dave. I'm looking to spend less. As I said, I'll send the headblock out to John French. He has a way of making that switch reliable long-term, as long as it's not abused. I don't buy the mythology that there's an audible cost to having the switch, it's wired in a way to prevent that. However, the switch itself has oxide-attracting plating inside. John has a lube/cleaner method to ward off oxidation for a long time. Anyway, hoping to find someone nearer to me so I can drive it to them and save ridicu-priced and injury-prone shipping. -- Tom Fine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Radlauer" <[log in to unmask]> To: "Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List" <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2015 11:59 AM Subject: Re: seeking excellent, reputable technician to restore a Technics 1520 reel deck > Tom -- > > J-corder <http://www.j-corder.com/J-Corder_Tapedecks.html> is superb. > http://www.j-corder.com/J-Corder_Tapedecks.html > > I've been ecstatic with my TWO J-corder rebuilds. I asked for only > playback heads, got two machines refurbed for the price of one of his > retail custom machines: around $5000 (without custom cosmetics @ $1500 a > pop). > > Gallery <http://www.j-corder.com/Gallery.php> > http://www.j-corder.com/Gallery.php > > Strip and rebuild, upgrades electronics, bearings, heads and misc. > > The sound is astonishing with old tapes: surprisingly dynamic and clean. > > Sadly, that 2track / 4track switch has to go (that's why I did two: one > each for 1/4 track or 1/2 track) -- its the machine's most serious flaw. > > Best, > > Dave R > -- > hm# 510-848-8323 > cell# 510-717-5240 > www.JAZZHOTBigstep.com >