Re: [ARSCLIST] help in fair pricing of reel to reel machines

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Be aware that you are going to spend lots of money on shipping and for a pile that large, it may be 
well worth your time and money to rent a van and pick them up in person. Fill the van with packing 
blankets and bubble wrap and straps to make sure everything travels OK.

The big ebone bonanza will be the Ampex 350 or 351 electronics. Those go for hundreds of dollars, 
generally bought by ignorant musicians who seek "phat toob mic preamps". These are not very good mic 
preamps at all, but they have phat toobs and a giant VU meter so they have major "kewl factor" in a 
home studio. Ampex transports go for less and less money as time goes on and the AG-440 remains the 
most under-priced rock-solid tape deck out there -- although, to be fair, what shows up on ebay has 
often been ridden hard and put away wet.

Otari -- one man's opinion here -- I wouldn't take one if it were GIVEN to me.

The Sony 5000 is Richard Hess's machine of choice. That might be the gem in the lot for you.

I put MCI just slightly above Otari, and only because there are some nuts who actually own these 
things and keep them running so there's a market for parts.

Tape heads of any sort have value if they are in usable condition. I think sometimes one or more of 
the head-relap guys will discount work on one block if you trade in a bunch more if there are 
salvage-worthy heads and parts in them.

-- Tom Fine


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "phillip holmes" <insuranceman@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:06 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] help in fair pricing of reel to reel machines


> Thanks Bruce,
> I could only find one sold unit and it went for $300.  BUT, it was one of those "local pickup 
> only" auctions.  That really limits the number of customers.  If you can do that in one of the big 
> metropolitan areas, you can still get good bids.  How hard is it to find a four track head stack?
> Thanks,
> Phillip
>
> Tape Archive wrote:
> > As always on used machines it comes down to fitted head stack and remaining
> > head life.
> >
> > I have a habit of purchasing Otari Machines when the need presents itself,
> > as the US office is close to my operation. The machines have good parts
> > support and are fairly easy to "hot rod".
> >
> > As for the Otari MTR 10 machines I try not to pay more than $500.00 USD(not
> > including shipping) for a two track machine. I usually modify the machines
> > into format specific uses.
> >
> > Parts show up fairly regularly on Ebay to expand the function or maintain
> > the machines (i.e. Time code heads, revolvers, Control cards, Audio I/O'S
> > etc.)
> > The other machines mentioned in your post are solid machines, but may cost
> > slightly more money to refurbish and maintain.
> >
> > Just my 2 cents.
> >
> > Cheers!
> >
> > Bruce Maddocks
> > Cups 'n Strings Studios