Thanks, Jeff. That seems really clear. I am going to do this. Best, John On Sun, Jul 23, 2017 at 1:20 AM, Jeff Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > The head mounting is spring loaded so when you remove the screw the head > will move a little bit. Before I remove the screw I carefully measure the > distance from the head mounting plate to the chassis metal beneath the > head. When I replace the screw I tighten it until I have the same > measurement as before, then I fine tune the azimuth with the usual > procedure. With careful measurement I find that I only need to make a > small (much less than one turn) adjustment to get the AZ tape to reproduce > correctly. I usually measure several times until I'm confident I have a > good repeatable number. > > Jeff > > > > At 08:26 PM 7/22/2017, you wrote: > >> Great idea, Jeff. If I remove the Philips-head screw to replace it, will >> that foul anything up with the head mounting? If things will stay where >> they are, that would be pretty easy. Sometimes the simplest solutions are >> the best ones. >> >> Thanks, >> John >> >> >> On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 7:34 PM, Jeff Brown <[log in to unmask]> >> wrote: >> >> > I replace the Philips AZ screw with a socket head screw exactly because >> I >> > have seen the Philips heads get worn out. AZ adjustment with a long >> shank >> > Allen key is then a piece of cake. >> > >> > Jeff >> > >> > >> > >> > At 04:47 PM 7/22/2017, you wrote: >> > >> >> Tim, that is really a dandy mod. Azimuth adjustment is sooo critical >> on >> >> cassettes, yet hard to adjust on the Tascam machine, a popular >> workhouse >> >> pro cassette machine. I adjust my 122 MkIII with a very small Philips >> >> head >> >> screwdriver, but it is no fun getting to the screw, and I worry about >> the >> >> screw head becoming "carved out" as so many Philips-head screws do over >> >> time. Doing the adjustment gets very delicate. Can one even find >> >> replacement screws? One with a long shank sticking out that you could >> >> turn >> >> by hand might be an easy mod? >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> John Haley >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 2:28 AM, Tim Gillett < >> [log in to unmask] >> >> > >> >> wrote: >> >> >> >> > Thanks Corey, >> >> > >> >> > Yes maybe you saw the mod by (I think ) Thal Engineering for Studer >> open >> >> > reel machines. Now that's classy looking, and probably with a price >> to >> >> > match. >> >> > >> >> > Thing is with many cassette machines it's a harder design, as the >> head >> >> > platform moves in and out, and there can be very limited space. I >> made >> >> 6 >> >> > or 8 of them by hand for Tascam 122 MkII and III's for a big >> cassette >> >> > archiving project but it wasnt simple. The heart of it is a tiny ball >> >> and >> >> > socket arrangement (not visible in the photo). Cost of parts is >> trivial. >> >> > More the idea and the implementation. Mine is really only a prototype >> >> but >> >> > demonstrates what can be done. >> >> > >> >> > Cheers >> >> > >> >> > Tim Gillett >> >> > >> >> > Perth, >> >> > Western Australia >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Corey Bailey" < >> >> [log in to unmask] >> >> > > >> >> > To: <[log in to unmask]> >> >> > Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2017 1:12 PM >> >> > >> >> > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Hi Tim, >> >> >> >> >> >> Now, that's pretty slick! For those cassette decks that need access >> to >> >> >> the azimuth screw, I usually drill a hole so the azimuth screw can >> be >> >> >> accessed with a screwdriver (my own studio, of course). I've seen >> the >> >> >> thumbscrew mod on some 2tr. machines where the studio tech had >> access >> >> to a >> >> >> machine shop. >> >> >> >> >> >> Cheers! >> >> >> >> >> >> Corey >> >> >> Corey Bailey Audio Engineering >> >> >> www.baileyzone.net >> >> >> >> >> >> On 7/21/2017 6:02 PM, Tim Gillett wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >>> Yes bridging the "cassette in" switch is another cleaning work >> around. >> >> >>> The advantage of the cassette tool is that it can be used on almost >> >> any >> >> >>> cassette machine with no machine mods needed. >> >> >>> >> >> >>> Machine mods could be a whole other discussion. I feel the single >> most >> >> >>> useful mod for cassette decks for a >> >> >>> transfer engineer is a front panel user azimuth adjuster. Here is >> an >> >> >>> example on a Tascam 122 MkII. I have also made these for Tascam 122 >> >> MkIII's >> >> >>> and Nakamichis. >> >> >>> >> >> >>> http://imgur.com/rERTQaw >> >> >>> >> >> >>> Tim Gillett >> >> >>> >> >> >>> Perth, >> >> >>> Western Australia >> >> >>> >> >> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ellis Burman" < >> >> >>> [log in to unmask]> >> >> >>> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>> Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2017 3:51 AM >> >> >>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> Ours kept shutting off. I traced it to an intermittent leaf switch >> >> that >> >> >>> detects whether a cassette in inserted. I jumpered the switch >> with a >> >> >>> blob >> >> >>> of solder, and now it works great and can be run with no cassette >> >> >>> inserted >> >> >>> for easy cleaning. >> >> >>> >> >> >>> Ellis >> >> >>> >> >> >>> On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 11:53 PM, Tim Gillett < >> >> >>> [log in to unmask]> >> >> >>> wrote: >> >> >>> >> >> >>> True, and a nice bright light - and glasses if you need them for >> >> close >> >> >>>> viewing. >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Campbell" < >> >> >>>> [log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 11:39 AM >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> ...flipping-off the cassette door facia panel and aslo mouting the >> >> >>>> player >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>>> in a rear-ward-sloping rack mounting....does help a little >> visual >> >> and >> >> >>>>> physical access to capstan and pinchroller and head access wrt >> >> access. >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >> >> >>>>> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto: >> >> >>>>> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Gillett >> >> >>>>> Sent: Friday, 21 July 2017 8:28 AM >> >> >>>>> To: [log in to unmask] >> >> >>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Hi Corey, >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Interestingly, the 122 the owner's manual states the pinch >> roller >> >> and >> >> >>>>> capstan should be cleaned "at least once a day the deck is >> used"... >> >> >>>>> but >> >> >>>>> without resorting to extra expedients as we've both described, >> even >> >> >>>>> as a >> >> >>>>> techie I'd struggle to perform this basic first line daily >> >> maintenance. >> >> >>>>> Even with the non standard expedients the pinch roller and >> capstan >> >> are >> >> >>>>> still tricky to clean, and I'd suggest without such expedients, >> or >> >> a >> >> >>>>> custom machine mod, almost impossible. >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Human nature being what it is, unless a basic daily task like >> this >> >> is >> >> >>>>> easy to perform, it will tend to be skipped. A basic error by >> >> Tascam >> >> >>>>> IMO >> >> >>>>> especially as the machine was marketed and regarded as a pro >> >> machine, >> >> >>>>> and >> >> >>>>> now seems almost a defacto standard for archives and transfer >> >> >>>>> engineers. >> >> >>>>> A >> >> >>>>> shame as in so many other ways an excellent machine. >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Cheers, >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Tim Gillett >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Perth, >> >> >>>>> Western Australia >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> >>>>> From: "Corey Bailey" <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>>> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 2:44 AM >> >> >>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> Hi Tim, >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>>> As you learned the hard way, this list does not accept >> attachments >> >> and >> >> >>>>>> will strip them from your post. >> >> >>>>>> >> >> >>>>>> Regarding the picture of the cassette that you posted: >> >> >>>>>> I have made a few variations of these for those pesky decks >> where >> >> the >> >> >>>>>> cassette sensor is hard to get to. Generally, I will put a small >> >> piece >> >> >>>>>> of >> >> >>>>>> tape across the tape sensor lever (located at the top of the >> >> cassette >> >> >>>>>> bay) >> >> >>>>>> to hold it up which allows the transport to function and gives >> the >> >> >>>>>> tech >> >> >>>>>> full access to the transport mechanism. The modified cassette >> shell >> >> >>>>>> certainly makes sense for routine cleaning by non-techies. >> >> >>>>>> >> >> >>>>>> Cheers, >> >> >>>>>> >> >> >>>>>> Corey >> >> >>>>>> Corey Bailey Audio Engineering >> >> >>>>>> www.baileyzone.net >> >> >>>>>> >> >> >>>>>> On 7/19/2017 9:35 PM, Tim Gillett wrote: >> >> >>>>>> >> >> >>>>>> Attached photo. Nothing fancy in looks but a tool that works. >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> In the Tascam I think both reels also need to be turning to >> avoid >> >> >>>>>>> activating "Stop" so I retained the hubs and tape, but with a >> >> smaller >> >> >>>>>>> diameter pack to avoid fouling when cleaning the parts. It >> makes >> >> >>>>>>> things >> >> >>>>>>> easier on various other cassette machines too, especially later >> >> >>>>>>> models >> >> >>>>>>> which only go into play mode when a cassette is inserted. >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> I first made a few of these in the 90's when a Talking Book >> >> >>>>>>> production >> >> >>>>>>> organisation I worked for bought new Tascam 122 MkIII's and the >> >> staff >> >> >>>>>>> struggled to perform daily tape path cleaning. Of course I >> >> regularly >> >> >>>>>>> use >> >> >>>>>>> the tool myself. >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> Hope it helps. >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> Cheers >> >> >>>>>>> Tim >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> Perth, >> >> >>>>>>> Western Australia >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shai Drori" < >> >> [log in to unmask] >> >> >>>>>>> > >> >> >>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 11:59 AM >> >> >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk >> 2s >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> Please upload the picture. Sounds interesting. >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> בברכ׆, >> >> >>>>>>> ש×™ דר×â•×¨×™. >> >> >>>>>>> מומ×—ח׆לשימוור >> ודי×’’יטצי׆À של × ×•Ã—“×™—™×• >> >> וי×“× ×• Õ ופיל× 8-35מ5ממ >> >> >> >> >> >>>>>>> Cheers >> >> >>>>>>> Shai Drori >> >> >>>>>>> Expert digitization services for Audio Video >> >> >>>>>>> Hi Res scanning for film 8mm-35mm >> >> >>>>>>> Timeless Recordings Music Label >> >> >>>>>>> www.audiovideofilm.com >> >> >>>>>>> [log in to unmask] >> >> >>>>>>> Tripadvisor level 5 contributor, level 10 restaurant expert >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 4:12 AM, Tim Gillett >> >> >>>>>>> <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>>>>> wrote: >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> Hi Ben, >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> There are no belts in that machine, one reel drive idler >> rubber >> >> tyre >> >> >>>>>>>> and >> >> >>>>>>>> of course a rubber pinch roller. They're usually reliable >> >> machines >> >> >>>>>>>> but >> >> >>>>>>>> are >> >> >>>>>>>> getting old and may have had a lot of work. >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> The tape path needs regular cleaning or tapes may be damaged >> or >> >> jam >> >> >>>>>>>> inside. Cleaning the capstan and pinch roller is a lot easier >> >> with a >> >> >>>>>>>> custom >> >> >>>>>>>> dummy cassette to trick the capstan motor to run and engage >> the >> >> >>>>>>>> pinch >> >> >>>>>>>> roller in play mode for cleaning. I can upload a photo of a >> dummy >> >> >>>>>>>> cassette >> >> >>>>>>>> if that would help. >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> I service these but unfortunately am in Australia... It may >> also >> >> >>>>>>>> need >> >> >>>>>>>> a >> >> >>>>>>>> skilled local serviceman to check it out. >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> Best of luck >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> Tim Gillett, >> >> >>>>>>>> Perth, >> >> >>>>>>>> Western Australia >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Fisher" >> >> >>>>>>>> <[log in to unmask] >> >> >>>>>>>> > >> >> >>>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 5:27 AM >> >> >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 >> Mk 2s >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> Check for tight belts and good rubber tires. >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> Martin >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >> >> >>>>>>>>> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto: >> >> >>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of 6295LARGE . >> >> >>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 3:23 PM >> >> >>>>>>>>> To: [log in to unmask] >> >> >>>>>>>>> Subject: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> Hello everybody >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> I was cut off from ARSC for about 2 months, because their >> email >> >> was >> >> >>>>>>>>> being >> >> >>>>>>>>> rejected by my computer for some reason. >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> I have 2 TASCAM 122 Mk 2 recorders. >> >> >>>>>>>>> They seem to have week mechanisms. >> >> >>>>>>>>> I was told I can use only high quality cassettes. >> >> >>>>>>>>> Is that how it should be? >> >> >>>>>>>>> I don't use junk, but the mechanism struggles and moans, >> then it >> >> >>>>>>>>> stops >> >> >>>>>>>>> or >> >> >>>>>>>>> eats the tape. >> >> >>>>>>>>> The cassettes have gotten stuck in one of them and I had to >> take >> >> >>>>>>>>> off >> >> >>>>>>>>> the >> >> >>>>>>>>> cover to make the mechanism give them up. >> >> >>>>>>>>> Is that how it should be? Maybe the rubber parts need to be >> >> >>>>>>>>> cleaned. >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> *Are there any service centers for TASCAM in south Florida?* >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> HELP! >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> Regards, >> >> >>>>>>>>> Ben Roth >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>>> --- >> >> >>>>>>>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus >> >> software. >> >> >>>>>>>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>>> >> >> >>>>>>> >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>>>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >> --- >> >> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. >> >> http://www.avg.com >> >> >> > >> >