This is something you don’t see everyday! An almost unused and boxed 1/4″ 2 track reel to reel tape machine, a Tascam BR20 one of their highest quality machines sometimes installed with a Timecode head for broadcast and editing applications.
This machine somehow turned up at an IT Recycling centre in Essex but is now in much safer hands transferring tapes, in particular a very large archive of library music on 10.5″ NAB reels owned by Mood Media Ltd.
As you can see this machine is in its original box, with packaging and first look at the heads show almost no head wear but some nasty oxide that took a while to clean off.
This machine needed little work to bring it back to spec, a new capstan belt, pinch roller, tape tension and speed setting and a full calibration.
The capstan belt change is the subject of another blog post here..
The regular service of analogue machines which will involve the mechanical alignment then electrical alignment / calibration is really important if you’re attempting to get optimum transfers and reduce any risk of damaging the potentially fragile tape.
While some of our machines are serviced by others we like to regularly check them and have gradually brought our regular servicing in house. Of course this needs specialised tools, test tapes and gauges, often totally unavailable new now.
On a lucky eBay day I happened to win one of these beauties, an Information Terminals M-300 gauge. This enables you to accurately set the tape guide height and also the head stroke. It is a universal gauge and can be used across many decks.
Nakamichi tape deck owners have had a hard time doing this part of their servicing as the original Nakamichi gauges are very very rare now as is this.
A member of the naktalk mailing list though recently borrowed our gauge and has had it measured and will soon have a small batch CNC machined and made available. These remanufactured gauges will have a few small modifications to improve the design.
Thanks to Willy at www.willyhermansnervices.com many more tape deck transports will be able to be aligned correctly.
We’ve been honored recently to have won a large contract to help in the digital migration of an extensive educational video archive by the transfer from U-matic archive copies to uncompressed video files.
While the archive had been stored in an suitable environment and rarely if at all played, they had not survived well. The Sony branded tapes from the 1970s and 1980s all exhibited binder hydrolysis or sticky shed syndrome. We were still able to get good transfers though using our range of U-matic machines, particularly the Sony BVU-950P and For-A Time Base Corrector.
We’ve recently been involved, with Mobray Woodwards Solicitors, in the audio transfer of important evidence in a local Crown Court case.
Even given the poor quality or the recordings, made on the slowest tape speed of 1.2 cm/s we were able to make transfers to CD which were clear and understandable with CD track markings for easy access to specific sections of the audio.
Microcassettes, until recently, were used regularly for voice recording in small, portable dictaphone type of machines. Their fidelity is not high but when used for voice it is usually acceptable.
Greatbear are able to transfer all formats and speed of microcassette in addition to 1/2 speed standard cassettes that were common for voice recording of interviews and meetings in the police service, inquests, etc.
Over the last 12 months we’ve seen this side of our business grow and adapt to the range of transfer needs that individuals, businesses and media creation organisations have.
We are able to support a wide range analogue and digital, consumer and professional video formats from the late 1970s onwards such as: Betamax, VHS, SVHS, VHS-C, Video 2000, 8mm, Hi8, U-matic, Betacam, miniDV, DVCAM, etc.
We offer straight video transfer to DVD and a higher quality transfer service to DV or uncompressed AVI which can then be supplied on hard drive, edited, encoded to a very high quality DVD or supplied on digital tape.
We pride ourself on our positive, friendly service and are happy to give advice over the phone or by email. When you call us you won’t be stuck in a voicemail system or told we’re an internet company so don’t like speaking on the phone!
We’ve recently been proud to be regularly involved in the transfer of a range of rare and often unique recordings of great but often forgotten Bristol bands from the late 1970s onwards.
“… aims to showcase music from the diverse Bristol Music scene and provide a historical account / document of all things Bristol that should never be forgotten. Many of the artists and releases are rare, unknown or never before released. The material has been lovingly digitally remastered from vinyl, ¼ inch tape, dat or cassette. The original vinyl releases would generally have been limited to runs of 1000 copies or less.”
Many of the recordings have survived well over the years and sound great, a testament to the bands and the engineers that recorded them.
I use eBay alot. I have to, nobody makes new tape machines anymore and about two or three years ago it took over from the local freeads papers as a way to sell things you didn’t want.
I recently bought an old Teac X7 4 track 1/4″ reel to reel. Seemed like a good deal and I took a chance. With large heavy items I always ask politely if they can ensure it’s packed with lots of bubble wrap in preferably two boxes. I even offer to send the packaging myself if they haven’t budgeted for that or can’t be bothered to wrap that well!
This is what I received after a few days of waiting. The seller seemed excited, saying he’d specially bought a box that cost over £10…
Reel to Reel packaging bottom
The whole of the bottom of the box had cracked and fallen away. If it hadn’t of been for the nice Parcelforce people who lined it with a bit of cardboard I wouldn’t have got anything.
There was a Teac X7 in it but it didn’t look pretty and is a perfect example of how heavy items can destroy themselves and the packaging if not packed correctly.
15 inches per second (ips) and 7.5 ips speeds are normally transferred on, our pride and joy, one of two Studer A80s. We also have a Tascam BR20 and several Revox A77s for backup. The slower speeds and 4 track mono stereo formats are catered for by Teac and Sony machines.
30 ips, 15, 7.5 and 3.75 can also be transferred on our Sony APR 5003.
We take pride in making sure these machines are calibrated and cleaned before each transfer.
Quite often we receive tape in poor condition, frequently a result of splicing tape ‘drying out’ as it’s a bit like sellotape and the splices breaking as the tape is played.
We are able to clean, resplice and repair tape before transfer.
Prices are competitive but not published here as we’ve found each job is different and needs certain attentions that need to be quoted for on an individual basis. We are happy though to offer an assess / listen service, as many customers don’t know what’s on their tapes and either don’t have a machine or their old machine is broken.
Recent work has included many valuable family history 5 inch reels. Remember tape is fragile, very susceptible to magnetic fields and doesn’t last forever. It’s worth transferring it or getting it transferred now to keep your memories safe.
You can see a more comprehensive list of all our audio equipment in our studio here:
I’ve had these belts sitting around for a few months now and they’ve finally come around on my to do list. Thinking this would be nice and easy like the Teac C-3x belts I whipped the cover off my 234 eager to put it back to work transferring those thousands of undiscovered bedroom gems that must be around in peoples’ cupboards.
Tascam 234 4 track tape transport
Looked nicely laid out and well constructed as all this old Tascam equipment seems to be. I thought I’d just take the transport out and it’d be easy. There are just two belts in the 234, the capstan belt and the belt that moves the transport up and down. This cam mode belt had stretched and come off and the capstan belt had pretty much disintegrated. Once I start I find it hard to stop and this isn’t a quick job the first time, you need to be methodical and patient, good screwdrivers help too.
Well here comes the process, it seems pretty daunting at first when you see how many boards, cables and bits you have to remove and disassemble to replace the belts.
I recently ordered and replaced the capstan and counter belt on this cassette deck. These parts are easily available from Fred Marrs who sells a huge range of correctly sized replacement belts through his eBay shop. He has even gone to the lengths of remanufacturing the Nakamichi OC 8096 capstan belt to the correct specs.
This Teac machine is a really nice 3 head cassette deck, built like a tank, and very similar if not identical to the original Tascam 122. I don’t use this deck for normal cassette transfers as I feel my Nakamichi decks generally sound better but this is one of the few decks that can record and playback at double the normal speed so it’s reserved for these transfers and as a backup.
The transport is quick and easy to remove and the belt was easy once the capstan had been removed – this was also greased and oiled a little too.
Teac C-3x transport removed
Teac C-3x capstan motor with new belt
Everything went well until I tested it with an old tape – It would play for a few seconds then the take up reel would stop letting tape get pulled around the pinch wheel, well and truly chewed! It looked like the rubber drive wheel that the reel motor works against has perished at one point or slips. I also noticed that the little rubber sleeves that act as brakes on the reels have perished too. I’m going to have to get it all apart again to fix this – see below for more soon..
Oh and here’s a the service manual for free, so you don’t have to get fleeced by an eBay seller who’s downloaded a load of free manuals.
For all tape restoration, preservation and digitising enquiries and questions, please feel free to contact us by phone on +44 (0)117 985 0500, or by email using the form below:
Customer Tape Assessment Form
If you wish to send in your tapes for assessment, please download and print our tape assessment form, to include with your package:
Any information you are able to give, will help us assess your tapes and understand your requirements.
Personal visits by appointment only
Personal visits are very welcome but please call us on 0044 (0)117 985 0500 before your intended visit to arrange a time. Appointments can usually be made between 2pm - 8pm Monday to Friday.
June 2025 update: Due to current building works at The Coach House, appointments after 4pm are preferrable. If access is difficult, please call us on arrival, and we will come down to meet you outside.
Greatbear Audio & Video Digitising
Units 25 / 26, The Coach House,
2 Upper York St.
Bristol, BS2 8QN
U.K.0117 985 0500
Accessibility
We’re sorry that the main Greatbear studios and office are situated up a flight of stairs and there is currently no lift, making them inaccessible if you are a wheelchair-user or find it difficult to use stairs. However we will happily arrange to meet you downstairs at The Coach House.
If you require any form of assistance to visit Greatbear, please let us know before you come. We're keen to make all our services fully accessible to all.
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Greatbear frequently transfer confidential or sensitive material. We guarantee the security and privacy of your tapes and their content. We regularly work under Non-Disclosure Agreements.
Insurance and damage
In the eyes of insurance companies, the value of recordings made on obsolete analogue and digital formats is undefinable unless documented in a previous transaction.
General insurance cover is therefore unavailable for the tapes we digitise.
Customers send us their material on the basis that Greatbear Audio & Video Digitising will not be liable for any loss or damage to the tapes.
We do recognise, of course, that your tapes are likely to have immense personal value, and we take all possible steps to protect them on our premises. If appropriate, we recommend you acquire Specialist Insurance Cover before sending us your tapes.
Return of digitised tapes
Tapes will be returned post-digitisation, using a tracked delivery service, at cost to the customer.
Customers are also very welcome to pick up their tapes in person, but as always, do phone in advance to arrange your visit: 0117 985 0500
Alternatively we can arrange to safely dispose of any tapes you do not want returned.
We will dispose of all uncollected tapes after 8 weeks post-invoice.
