My take on this thread:
1) The best deck, if funds permit: ATR-102 modified by ATR Services, with a
tweaked JRF head block. What's the going rate? Around $15k?
2) A good second: Studer A80. Depending on your needs, it may also need a
JRF head block, which isn't exactly cheap (around $2k?) You may need to have
a specialist change the motor to one which provides the playback speeds you
need.
3) Otari of the 5050 series.
4) Everything else.
#1 and #2 can be counted on for gentle tape handling, a necessity for any
archivist. #3 can be tweaked to perform gently.
Make sure to budget a sufficient amount for servicing & modification, and
don't forget the expense of insured shipping. Be aware that a really good
tech needs to be able to do his work without any time pressure, so be
patient. (I just sent a pair of mics to Klaus Heyne for modification, and
asked him whether I could have them back in a month. "Probably not," he
replied, "more likely two months or even longer.")
Get a set of playback calibration tapes. I haven't bought any recently, but
the last set I bought cost $200. May be more at the present time.
Include all the usual maintenance miscellany: head cleaner, S-711 from
American Recorder recommended; a powerful head demagnetiser, R.B. Annis
preferred.
After playing an old tape exhibiting the dreaded "vinegar" syndrome, clean
the recorder's tape path meticulously before playing tapes in good
condition.
(If the old tapes do have the "vinegar" syndrome, a warning of imminent
disintegration, immediate transfer, either analogue and/or digital, is
indicated. But that's a different conversation.)
Salutations, David Lewiston
> Hi Lance!
>
> We just got a remanufactured Ampex ATR-102 with full mono, 2 track stereo,
> and
> 1/4 track stereo heads from ATR Services in York, PA. It can play anything
> from
> 1 7/8 ips to 60 ips and is an awesome machine. It is also capable to
adjust
> to
> speeds that might lie inbetween. But it is not cheap.
>
> Their website is www.atrservice.com. You might want to see if they can
help
> this
> archivist out.
>
> Erik Dix
> University of Notre Dame Archives
>
>
> Quoting Rod Stephens <savecal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>
> > Hi again Lance,
> >
> > I've checked around, and it seems that the Tascam BR-20 comes standard
> > with 1/2 track heads, although it could be set up with a quarter-track
> > head in place of the 1/2 track head on special order.
> >
> > Rod
> > Family Theater Productions
> >
> > Watsky, Lance wrote:
> >
> > > Does anyone know if there are any companies making 1/4-inch
> > > analogue, quarter-track reel-to-reel tape decks any more? I received
> > > an e-mail today from an Archivist at a university in Kansas that is
> > > desperately searching to buy one. It seems as though the only way to
> > > buy one at all, any more is used.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Lance Watsky
> > > Preservation & Media Specialist
> > > The Georgia Archives
> > > 5800 Jonesboro Road
> > > Morrow, GA 30260
> > > 678-364-3764 (phone)
> > > 678-364-3860 (fax)
> > > lwatsky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > www.GeorgiaArchives.org
> > >
> >