Cassette Deck Buying Tips & Maintenance / Repair. Dropping Channels tape

[@vidtech2630]

Unfortunately, most cassette decks will need an intact counter belt . Not all, but most decks will trigger auto stop during playback if the counter is not progressing.

[@MichaelYates]

Thanks , yes something I did forget and would be quite inportant to replace them as well otherwise deck would just stop playing after a few seconds.

[@thisisnev]

Thanks for sharing the gen, Mike! Technics and JVC made a few cassette decks with direct drive, which avoids the whole belt issue, but in my experience they're also the manufacturers whose belts seem to be immune to the ravages of time! Worst offenders for belt rot seem to be Pioneer, Trio/Kenwood, Sony and Aiwa.

[@hugobloemers4425]

Hi Michael, this is the right moment to get in to cassette decks. If you repair them, I guess you can sell them with a profit as well.

[@MichaelYates]

I did read there was a little peek in cassette sales, but just looking on eBay does seem the prices have shot up on these old decks. But I do not think I will be tempted to repair any. I will leave that to people that do it day in day out as to many fidley parts for my hands and eyes these days lol.

[@steveoszman8746]

My generation loves piano key cassette decks and when well maintained sound quality is very nice. Really get pissed at those ALPS switches ya seem to have made peace with em. My biggest thrill is finding a bootleg cassette someone made of a concert, some are pretty rough and some are remarkably good. Awesome video Mike thank you God Bless.

[@MichaelYates]

Thanks for the comment Steve, old piano keys take me right back to 70's, even the first VCR's started off with them

[@gaineyjohnson6628]

Another excellent video! Thank-you for the guidance! Keep the music playing!

[@MichaelYates]

Thank You, will do

[@petejames5562]

Good advice, Michael. The vintage cassette player market is on fire at present. Never seen prices so high. Of all vintage equipment cassette players are most troublesome & fiddly to work on. Changing belts on some requires engineering degree. So do check inside if at all possible. If it looks like a nest of wires and you can't see belts - move on unless you are really handy (and patient). Good luck!

[@MichaelYates]

Thanks for the comment Pete. THB I did not check any prices, but just looking yes it does seem they have crept up in price.

[@jeffcline7689]

That KD A 3 is a nice deck. 20-17000Hz normal, 20-18000Hz Chrome and 20-18000Hz metal. I have a KD-25, KD a-22 and KD d 2.

[@MichaelYates]

Thanks for the technical specs, I should have mention that in the review.

[@Unavintage]

This JVC is well known in Brazil. Manufactured under Gradiente brand, has a lot of followers and it is very desired here. Endless parts suppliers localy.

[@Unavintage]

@AlexMitchell-sj4sb Yes the same, but with local content components. Easy to find spare parts here.

[@Unavintage]

@AlexMitchell-sj4sb Gradiente CD5500

[@MichaelYates]

That is something I did not know and after searching I see a Gradiente cassette deck for sale on eBay here in the UK that is infact as you say a JVC deck. thanks for the info

[@Unavintage]

@@MichaelYates FYI about Brazilian brands: Gradiente is almost JVC/Sherwood/Garrard Polyvox has their own eng department (but tapes are Alpage) CCE is almost Kenwood/Alpage/Dual Cygnus has their own eng department Quasar has their own department

[@MichaelYates]

@@Unavintage Thank you

[@jonboy9912]

I have had a lot of success with replacing belts on CD's and cassette decks - before buying them I drop the old ones in boiling water for a couple of minutes - the heat rejuvenates the molecular construction of the rubber making it more flexible. My CD and cassette deck are still running on that repair 2 years after I did it!

[@MichaelYates]

Thanks for the info Jon