AKAI GX365D Pinch roller solenoid problem and no erase. Can this one be fixed? Lets Find Out

This one has a problem with the solenoid failing as the unit plays. Will start to chatter and then get weak, and this fault will burn the solenoid out if this problem is not addressed. A second fault was caused by the owner doing their own service.

[@helifynoe9930]

Just pulled my AKAI GX630D out of the closet, after seeing this video. Switch contacts definitely need cleaning, along with the potentiometers. The impedance roller was a bit stiff at first, but seemed to sort itself out. Anyhow, still working and looking darn good. Switching back and forth from TAPE to SOURCE was perfect. I could not tell one from the other.

[@glenngoodale1709]

Another great video. I wish more of the others who make these style videos had your gift of video production and narrative skill.

[@teacfan1080]

Love watching your reel to reel video repairs. That owner will be happy to get a fully functioning machine back.

[@JerryEricsson]

Man that takes me back, when I was in Vietnam I purchased a TEAC reel to reel and fed it through a receiver to power a couple of nice speakers. Rocked my bunker like no other sadly I had to sell the works when I was transferred with a very short notice. Sure wish I had shipped it all home.

[@glenngoodale1709]

I bought one in Vietnam, but I was there 2 years, so I had to send it home .... Navy Seabees

[@budandbean1]

Dave, you Rock! Never have I had so much fun and learned so much watching videos. I joined your Patreon... Buddy

[@robinsonsoto8471]

you really know your stuff very well. Your experience and ability are remarkable.

[@peter_aka_hamamass]

As always, good and informative, as well as a relaxing escape for a bit video 👍

[@willhelmx8388]

Man i really like watching your videos, takes me way back to the late 70th :-) lol, i dident know that people still had this things ... im mostly stuck with surface mount nowdays, and at happy times tube radio restauration.. keep up the good work BR / Anders

[@Oufg103f]

Luv this video, going to watch again tomorrow as it is late here in the UK.

[@alexherget]

As always, an awesome video. Thank you for sharing your knowlege. It is greatly appreciated! Big thumbs up !!!

[@karlkirven8174]

Great work man ! Thanks so much I now can troubleshoot my Otari MTR 10 I had the same seminar problem it wouldn’t erase completely I bought it that way , thanks for your videos and help I really learn a lot watching your videos

[@richardsmejkal798]

You are the best. Awesome. I do own that same deck. Took me a while to figure out the compute a matic feature, I always set the levels manually.

[@georgethomas9436]

I have one of these decks. It really sounds good. My reverse time is alot shorter than the one shown in your video. Thanks for the explanation of the setting of the auto reverse. Cheers.

[@SDsailor7]

I like the looks of this machine.Very good video, very entertaining and informative.

[@mikek5633]

I have an Akai GX-210D that works mechanically very well. No one tampered with it since new. Just doesn't sound as good as I think it should. Play back is decent. Doesn't record very well. Granted it's probably close to 50 yrs old. Needs a tune up for sure. I am in Canada, I would love a pro to go though it and tune it up !!! Nice work in this one...

[@alexispieltin9379]

Wish you got a higher capacity card... Very informative as always. You're a great defender of these fabulous reel to reel decks. Akaï used to be a master in magnetic recordings in these years, and many recall their Revox, Sony, Teac and many others builders of these reel to reels, and remember they were as effective as fragile, heavy, prone to be forgotten in attics. I've found forgotten tube Studer and 3 heads Sony in derelict condition, but was surprised it was still relatively easy to find parts and schematics, and good advice in some prickly point, to finally have them back in fine working order. Akaï also made renowned 3 heads 2 capstan tape decks like GX95. I remember selling the last ones of these GX series jewels in the early 90's to customers who were surprised to find such quality in a brand whose products were then considered low cost junk. It was so easier to sell Nakamichi or Studer to get better margins! These heavy equipment are someway fragile as these models have no real metallic frame to protect electronics. The wood chassis is OK to protect these heavy equipment, (+ the big feets), but you're perfectly right in the fact anybody attempting to service these can fall in this trap and have issues with contacts and raiser cards... These are made of fragile Bakelite, and break or burn easily. And I can tell, you know what to do to, to repair these! It's not the first time I've heard of these two sets of pinch rollers on Akaï decks. Can you confirm it's the way they pass from 7 1/2 to 15 IPS? Anyway, I don't know if it's really practical, as I suppose you have insufficient place for larger size reels (with NAB adapter, studio size).

[@AThreeDogNight]

Nicely done Dave. Thanks for the vid.

[@russellhltn1396]

That Compute-o-matic looks pretty slick. It only turns up when first turned on. It turns down as it sees a louder level. Beats the heck out of the standard ALC found on cheap machines. The only real downside I see is that it may not know the difference between an actual level and a transient such as bumping the mic or a dropping the needle.

[@reginaldlawrence412]

Great job nice tape recorder.Sounds great too.

[@jorgecuelar3391]

Great video thanks for the uploads👍👍

[@andrestouten8483]

I do not hate you, ilove the comments you make, it makes my day by laughing by your haters, because what do they know. Thumbs up and keep going, i love your videos and comments .

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

You're an r2r treasure trove. Wish I had realized that sooner : ))

[@UnkyjoesPlayhouse]

26:50 that is the track from Melrose Place, I guess they used the same "sound library" that you got your music from, I noticed it the other night when my spouse was watching :) Great vid, I love these old R to R machines.

[@12voltvids]

It is possible. Much of the Musicbakery catalog has been on TV and radio commercials and programs.

[@zx8401ztv]

Loverly job dave :-D, the owner should be very happy. Yup a holding resistor, just enough current to stay in. I've seen relays operated in the same way, high current pulse then a hold in lower current. i tend to change caps in switchmodes more than audio gear.

[@12voltvids]

These use relays to operate the logic. Perhaps a tutorial in a simplified circuit is in order to help people understand how these operated without using ic, transistors ECT. Only momentary switches, relays and solenoids .

[@SDsailor7]

Subscribed to your channel.Good work!

[@chanderbhatia541]

Great video.

[@charlesmiller2973]

Bought one while in Vietnam in 1970, still have it but have not played it for years, I increased the tape speed to 15 IPC by changing the size of the captain.

[@JessHull]

That Compute-O-Matic thing is hilarious, I love the name and that little wiggling triable indicator

[@12voltvids]

And it is motor driven.

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Very good sound :0

[@sylvaind9086]

You forgot to mention the most important tool you own: Your knowledge and experience.

[@12voltvids]

Do this long enough and you get good at it. Have something I have never seen before. A CED video disc player to attempt to fix. Wish me luck.

[@markmarkofkane8167]

A beautiful unit!! I am watching. I will guess a bad diode. I will watch the rest to see if I'm right or wrong. Oops, I'm wrong.

[@davidgriffin79]

"you don't need to prove anything to anybody." True, haters hate out of insecurity; just stick up the middle finger and let them stew.

[@bretthibbs6083]

another great video dave I wish that could get a reel to reel deck I just cant afford one.

[@Truckguy1970]

One thing I would like to see is a video of you servicing a Mellotron like the Moody Blues used. I think you could pull it off :)

[@stevesus3295]

On the one I have, there is a provision on the back of the head cover to store a larger capstan and smaller roller.

[@johnmarchington3146]

I had one of those decks and I gave it to my late brother as I had stopped using it. I had been impressed with its performance but I suppose I got lazy with all the spooling one has to do with reel-to-reel decks.

[@tough213]

hello I want to wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season and a very happy and healthy new year and all the best always and be safe and careful out there

[@rawr51919]

First. I guess I beat Dave to that one. Knowing you, you'll get it done well.

[@wdavem]

That knob pointer seems so odd, kinda startled me. I'll bet thats a very good stabilizer when running left to right, way way better then the one in my mx5050 2 track 1/4". I almost want to put a big flywheel in it for a stabilizer, there is room inside.

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Nice akai reel

[@TheFunkman]

There's always some miserable guy hiding behind his keyboard. Goes with the territory. Keep up the very educational vids!!

[@jimmyjoejeeter2366]

Excellent video! I have a Teac 330010, I notice sometimes the tape slips off the pinch roll, I stop the deck at start it back up and it works. I was wonder what would make it slip off the pinch roller in-ward toward the deck? I notice it does the same thing on my Pioneer RT 701 deck too once in a while. The pinch rollers don't look that bad. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

[@12voltvids]

It's usually a worn pinch roller. Excessive take up tension can also make the tape walk around on the pinch roller.

[@bujoodmohamed4795]

hello good job I have a problem with the 360 ​​model, the head lamp is working and there is no sound. What is the reason you think?

[@patrickjmorgan]

Dave- bet someone snapped the board when springing the clip that holds them back in. As you know, it was a stock means of retaining boards to connector- My LEAK Stero 70's have the same and the spring is strong.

[@johne5543]

As l understand it, solenoids are fairly simple devices (just a coil of wire surrounding a metal shaft, and when turned on, causes the shaft to move, due to magnetic forces). Can a damaged (or burned out) solenoid be repaired then by recoiling the damaged wire with new wire?

[@peteschreiber9517]

Thanks.

[@Radek__]

very quick diagnose. Impressive

[@12voltvids]

Took me a few hours start to finish.

[@Radek__]

yes, but I'm taking about that first issue with the switch.

[@12voltvids]

@@Radek__ Going in I didn't have a clue but I did notice (and cut from the video) that when it warmed up the pinch roller lost torque when I put some downward pressure on it. This was the first clue. Once I removed the face and put my finger on the plunger I found it was getting hot, too hot. That was a huge clue as when metal gets hot it looses magnetic properties. That is how minidisk is erased. By heating the magnetic layer with the laser. A quick check of the schematic showed the switch for the limit resistor and it had to be activated by the mechanism. There it was staring me in the face.

[@Radek__]

thanks for explanation I didn't know that heat makes magnetic field weaker in coils /solenoid. I was thinking only about insulation on the coil's wire - than it can burn because of heat and then makes a short between windings. So thanks, good to know :-)

[@12voltvids]

@@Radek__ That is where experience comes into play. Many VCRs used solenoids that caused many headaches with Sony and Panasonic way back in the 80s.

[@d.logic1]

@34:38 that's why you get a donation on patreon from me! keep up the good work.

[@edwardalexander4549]

Great video funny my dad has that same reel to reel. QUESTION.... HOW DO I GET YOUR EMAIL???

[@TheFunkman]

Nice video. I'd recommend you tighten up those table legs. If that thing goes down, you'll have a bad day.

[@Ewolk89]

Great channel I just discovered it... I have a AKAI 2000X than used to have a bad left channel. I had that repaired and later on I discovered the shop forgot to put in the speed changer. The 'sleeve' / adaptor to slip over the capstan to increase it's playback and recording speed. It's a metal cylinder that slides over it to change speed. They have since gone out of business. I have been looking for years but can't locate one. Do you have any idea of where to get such a part?? Thank you so much.

[@12voltvids]

Yes I know the sleeve you are talking about. My 4000 uses one, Sleeve off 3 3/4, on 7 1/2. I have no idea where you would find one other than Ebay.

[@warnerwheeler4669]

My akai has a play back problem its up and down plus it won't record to the left and the play button flashes? Or where can I send for repairs

[@tough213]

Hello I have a teac a-1200u and the solenoid for the pinch roller is not strong enough to move the pinch roller to meet the capstan and there is not much power the pinch roller only goes a quarter of the way up to meet the capstan and I want it fixed I can do the work but I do not know where to get the part nor do I have a lot of disposable money to spend any help would be great and i really learn a great deal from watching your videos they are great thank you and thank you for your time

[@12voltvids]

First things first. Check for dried up grease in the pinch roller hinge. The pinch roller should be completely free when moved by hand. If it is hard or shows even the slightest resistance when moving by hand then the lubricant is probably dry and this will cause the solenoid not to be able to pull it up. That happened on my Teac R-R. I did a service video on mine last summer.

[@tough213]

@@12voltvids hello thank you for your fast reply it was my dad's before I got it everything is lubed and free and when i push play the solenoid does not move much and it has very little pulling power. I learn many things watching you work and lubrication i know to do i do this process every 2 to 3 years depending if it needs it . I have lots of vintage gear and they do not make things the way they use to thank you again for all the ideas and help

[@12voltvids]

@@tough213 You are right they don't make them like they used to. I am working on my favorite design right now. A modern Denon. Well at least I am being paid well to fix that POS.

[@tough213]

@@12voltvids I have to say I really enjoy your sense of humor and your straight forward way of saying what the causes are of the issues .I found a garrard a-70 turntable 8 years ago and it was half in pieces and I fixed it I am self taught and learn by watching and hearing I also have a tascam 32 that I need to get working and a realistic - 802 8 track recorder deck perfect and 2 kef speakers I found in the trash people are really not smart they could have gotten a good bit of change for them I also had found a garrard sub woofer and two sattelite speakers and a technics dual cassette deck and sony tuner and audio technica atpl-120 turntable all found . thank you and I will always watch you are very smart and I as I said enjoy your channel do you know how I can fix the solenoid or where I can get a cheap replacement thank you again

[@sharonlee4773]

Hi,Great vid.Whats that lil plexiglass music box please?

[@12voltvids]

It's an mp3 player. Was a kit I reviewed a while ago.

[@djwilliams4714]

have one of these in for repair now... different problem (no line audio out).

[@SDsailor7]

What is that small clear box with the green lights that he attached to the machine?anyone know? thank you.

[@Farmeraap]

This unit wasn't modified to run at 15IPS, this one came with a capstan speed sleeve to increase the capstan diameter. This is the way to have it run at 15IPS and it is mentioned in the manual.

[@12voltvids]

Mine has the sleeve as well , but runs at the speed listed on the switch with the sleeve on. Remove the sleeve for 1 7/8.

[@conspiracies1014]

This is a great video repair. Q: where do you get your schematic diagrams from?

[@12voltvids]

Hi Fi engine.

[@conspiracies1014]

@@12voltvids, THANKS for the Infor.

[@victorpizarro9838]

What is the cost to fix a bias recorder isolator I have a tascam 22-4 Real to reel for channel

[@DrJoesFunStuff]

I just picked up a GX365D last week and cleaned it all up. It had been stored in an attic for a long time. Dust and bug debris inside and out. I still need to find a tape counter belt, but it seems to work really well. However, it records not with a bit of normal hiss but an audible static crackling sound. I've cleaned the heads and degaussed them as well. Crackling still present. It plays already recorded tapes flawlessly. Any ideas to help out?

[@DrJoesFunStuff]

I was literally putting it back together this afternoon. This video couldn't be more timely.

[@mazenramez7793]

Hi I having AKAI GX365D problem recording system (lamp failure in lighting and defective relay) I checked Relay and lamps and switch recording are fine, and OSC cards A513 OK Any idea to solve this problem ؟ Thanks

[@truck9moon100]

I have a Pioneer RT-1011L, and an Akai GX-710 D...They both need a good going over. I do not have the nerve to send them through the mail. Scared to death they would not get to you, and back to me safely.

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

But why? I get it, the long delay is normal, per design... But what purpose does it serve to pause for so long? Is it to pick up potential slack in the tape before reversing?

[@teacfan1080]

The reason for the delay between forward and reverse play is so the capstan can come to a stop, then start up the opposite way full power before engaging. The pinch roller separates from the capstan during this process. If it didn't happen this way, you'd hear the music slow down to a stop and slowly come up to speed again. Early Teac 4010S machines did this and was later changed to eliminate this problem. I have a TEAC 4300 and does the same thing with the pausing. There are videos on KZbin that show demos of these decks and how it works.

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

@@teacfan1080 I agree this all makes sense... But I would have thought the pause doesn't need to last this long, like maybe one second tops. This looks like 5 times longer than it needs to be. But hey, what do I know ;-)

[@SDsailor7]

My Akai gx365d is showing its age. It started slowing down in playback, i am thinking that i need to change the motor run capacitor.

[@victorpizarro9838]

I have a question for you I have a tascam22-4 Real to reel recorder my question is for some reason it was recording very well for a long time and all of a sudden it stopped recording I went several times and it still wouldn’t record after I record the music I take it I put on source like I always do and dead air can you please tell me if that Hass to be fixed somehow or is there a glitch somewhere I don’t know about

[@12voltvids]

Check the record bias oscillator.

[@SDsailor7]

My Akai 365D wont play in fwd direction only reverse can someone tell me what the problem might be? or where its located/Thank you

[@donaldreleford9820]

Ware do you get your service manuals on the internet and do you know of a site that might help me to determine the value of a zener diode

[@12voltvids]

HiFi engine is a good source.

[@pjisonline]

I used to own a machine like this, but way back then, there was no internet so what did I know of repairing it. What a pity.

[@12voltvids]

But there were plenty of repair shops that would have been happy to take your money

[@pjisonline]

I have tried that, but they wouldn't do it. At least not in my neighbourhood@@12voltvids

[@nicucalomen1418]

Hello! I have one Akai like this. When I try to plug the deck to the amplifier via RCA plugs the main fuze of the house blow up. Works ok unless try to plug it to the amplifier. Can you help me what the problem be coming from? Thanks

[@12voltvids]

You have a short between the mains and chassis.

[@nicucalomen1418]

@@12voltvids thank you for your help.my respect for you

[@jamilmohammed7817]

Hello Sir Good day I am looking for Quik-lock reel holder for a Teac 2300s .

[@FordExplorer420]

I have one for sale almost just like that solid state Lake Ariel PA if you're interested

[@hidoHido-vm4en]

it's first time i see that recorder, is it existing before or after Walkman cassette ?

[@12voltvids]

I belive this is from 1972 or 3, so long before walkman. I have a GX260 and have had that since the mid 70's/

[@SDsailor7]

On my akai 365D the solenid is not activating and is not contacting the switch so where should i look? Could it be the pinch roller relay not working? I have voltage going to the solenoid. Any ideas where i shoud be looking? I cleaned the remote plug contacts and that did not resolve the problem. Anyone know? Thank you

[@Radek__]

33:36 haha damn, right! so i'm asking: Where is the flux? :) Because on that joint I can't see it. Don't tell me that it's inside of that solder, because I will not believe it. haha :)

[@abc-ni9uw]

More crt trinitron repairs

[@kennethclemons9422]

Hi! I have an Akai Reel to Reel that needs fixing. Do you have an email I can reach out you with?

[@ramrodou812]

that song at 19:53....what is it? i love it.

[@12voltvids]

Candice burns - Smile.

[@bravobravoh1344]

This is similar to the X-360D except for the heads.

[@bones007able]

how do they modify a machine to 15 ips?

[@teacfan1080]

There is a video I've watched by someone who repairs and sells these decks. He had an Akai almost similar to this one. The UV meters were completely black face, no number markings on them other than a small white line where zero db would be. The 15 IPS speed came from an extra pinch roller stored under the head cover. By installing that, you could get 15 IPS in the 7 1/2 speed position. A standard 1800 foot reel would go through in 24 minutes per side but at least it had some professional traits about it. That machine also had the compumatic auto level control as well.

[@bones007able]

@@teacfan1080 wait a minute... How does a different pinch roller determine the speed of the captsan? It is how fast the captsan is spinning not the pinch roller

[@georgethomas9436]

Ha ! I just counted. I have 28 reel to reel decks.

[@georgethomas9436]

@Joe town I have to say the Teac 6300 and lower series. Followd by the Akai RT-909 and 707. I do like my Crown 700 but needs better restored.

[@farfthi]

Will your museum be opening soon?

[@shaun9107]

Thats the haters busted . My manes Demagetizer , unemployed , The more you play a tape deck the sound in proves . Well it has on my end WOW

[@ReduktorSzumu]

This table will turn down one day...

[@1960syoung]

Why don't you upload akai GX355 D

[@12voltvids]

I can only service what I have access to.

[@1960syoung]

@@12voltvids TQ for reply if comes pls upload. I am also very interest guy for reel to reel. I have one Akai Gx 355D sony tc 330 sony tc 521 n sony tc 105 o matic. All motors slow, if possible give advise where can i buy parts pls TQ

[@12voltvids]

@@1960syoung I have no idea where to buy parts. I am not in the business anymore and have not been since 2003. It may seem to many that I do this for a living but in reality I work on 2 or 3 reel to reel a year.

[@richardhudson3014]

No I did not see that thing move but that's because the camera 📷 is out of position and too far away got anyone to get a good look at it

[@12voltvids]

Nothing wrong where the camera is. If you can't see it then you need glasses.

[@richardhudson3014]

@@12voltvids you're right my glasses allowed me to see the mechanism turn and yes I heard 👂 the motor running that allows the mechanism to work

[@hidoHido-vm4en]

@@12voltvids 100/100 Nice Work 👍

[@peter_aka_hamamass]

So that explains the one thumbs down 😉

[@12voltvids]

@@hidoHido-vm4en Owner of this already saw the video and is excited to get it back. It's a nice sounding machine.

[@jozseforgovan8621]

I have amplifiers, I am looking for someone to fix them. Please let me know if you work with amplifiers or somebody who would repair my amplifiers, Thanks a million.

[@jaroslavbubo2381]

Good evening I have a cassette player akai gx 365d as you set the speed tape 38 cm 15 ipb you can take my picture jaroslav Czech Republic thank you.

[@BETEP_BECT]

Это самый красивый

[@SinnerSince1962]

I am one of your haters. 😂. Just kidding.

[@JacGoudsmit]

Spoiler alert: The problems were so easy to fix, it almost seems like cheating. :-) Nice video though! And what an interesting machine this is!

[@quantumleap359]

This deck reminds me why I never liked Akai decks. Too many geegaws and gadgets made for the uninitiated. TEAC never resorted to this crap. They figured if you bought an open reel machine, you would have a brain in your head.