JVC Cassette Deck KD-10 - 1979

Presenting the JVC KD-10 cassette deck from 1979. I think that this was JVC's entry level deck and could have been purchased for about $200.

[@miguelsalami]

I have this same exact model & mine works perfect $10.00 at a flea market. It only has rewind on cassette & fast forward but no auto reverse. It has no volume control either so I use a Realistic analog mixer to adjust sound level & a realistic highball 2 microphone plugged in the mixer as well.

[@29def90]

@DrCassette Yes, this could very well be the problem! The mechanism that attaches to the record button, usually a rod assembly, may be bent or weak, and not pushing (or pulling) the switch all the way back to the playback postition.

[@northhankspin]

I just picked this one up. mint condition. I know its not high end but its sentimental and completes an early system in my collection where the owner had focused the money on the amplification and turntable, I love how the peak indicator lights test (or something) peak on power and shut down. that power button is cool too.

[@bluenazz]

Good find! That JVC is a very nice deck! Thanks for watching!!

[@maggotbrain6340]

just got one of these for $7. slowly coming back to life. when i got it one of the vu meters wasn't working but i have been able to get working. the eject seems sometimes but i think it just needs to be lubricated.

[@sideshowtink]

Another really pretty deck! You've got a virtual component graveyard going on over there!

[@FeCr3]

I think thats the record/play switch in the inside.Spray it a bit with tunerspray,that helps!

[@The1970sInfatuate]

I had a similar problem when I was making 8-track tape recordings with my Panasonic RS-808. I think the feedback issue occurs based on the Tape Monitor selection on the switch. The VU meters go up to a high peak based on the actual output signal, so if there is loud feedback the meters will register that. I'd first of all try using different tape monitor selections, and perhaps there might be some issue with the output ratings and impedences of different inputs etc.

[@bluenazz]

@DrCassette Thanks for the suggestion J! I'll clean the play/record switches as they may be easier to access. I was recalling the JVC that you found that was in terrible shape. I will be uploading another JVC cassette video this week because I have another one with issues. You later JVC KD-V6 is really nice!

[@punktexas]

I have a couple of JVC decks in my stable. KD-85 which has cool virtical VU meters (and peak frequency indicators) and a KD-55A. The KD-85 has JVC's own version of noise reduction called ANRS. I dig the meters being on the left too.

[@MrJG14M]

Still have it with me after more than 35 years (alongside my Sanyo DCA 30 and TP 20). That issue you encounter presented itself a few times, I havent figured what it was that caused it, but my father told me about a weird workaround that actually stopped the loud noise that led the volume needles to their peak. Just put a cassette inside, pressed pause then play/rec+rec as if to start recording, leave it for a while as it is, then stop and voila, somehow that fixed it, no more buzzing :P I wish it never did that in the first place though.

[@bluenazz]

@The1970sInfatuate Thanks for that thought! I'm going to tinker a bit with it, possibly pull the entire thing apart just for the fun of it!

[@29def90]

JVC did make some of the best "low end" decks. That is an interesting problem. I have a techniques deck that does the same thing, only occasionally. It usually goes away when I press stop and play again. If you can see the tape head connections clearly with the door removed, check that the lead out wires are secure on the rec-pb head, and that there is nothing shorting them, also there should be a chassis ground between the head assembly and the chassis. Check this as well.Nice Video!

[@bluenazz]

@DrCassette Yes, the JVC's appear to be a challenge for servicing. I've looked at the way the cassette mechanism is mounted in the chassis and it doesn't look pretty. I also have 4 JVC cass decks and I think that 2 may be working, but they are not high end machines. I'll upload videos of each of them just for comparison purposes.

[@bluenazz]

@sideshowtink Tink, I think that you can appreciate how easy it is to collect musical items that are attractive. It will be tough to let go of some of these.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

Do you still have this deck..? If so, did you fix it...and what did it turn out to be? My guess is capacitors....

[@bluenazz]

@727JeffN You could be right about the play head J. I don't relish the thought of doing a tape head replacement on a $2 cassette deck but it would be a challenge (:>

[@DrCassette]

I am very sure the problem is just a dirty record/playback switch. If you still have the deck, try to press the record button a couple of times. Maybe something changes. The deck I had was the KD-A11 I think. Below of that was the KD-A10, and that is the model that came after your model. That was the 1980/1981 series. The later early 80s JVC decks were very good, my favourite cassette deck as you might know is the JVC KD-V6 wich I think they made from 1982 - 1986.

[@wldwon]

Hey man that worked !!!!!!!! When I turned it on both meters jammed to the left I have owned it from new bought it in 79 ...I opened it up sprayed contact cleaner on the REC contacts pressed down REC button a half a dozen times and No Noise .............Thanks again Dr

[@dark25mc]

@@wldwon Hi! I have the same JVC KD-10 cassette deck. Can you explain to me how you solved the problem? Can you show me the procedure?

[@wldwon]

@@dark25mc ok ....un plug you deck 1, open up the cover 2, place a cassette tape in the machine 3, once it open push the record button down 4, as you push it down there are 2 metal rods that move, they are connected to the board to something metallic that is long and slim rectangle looking there are 2 of them spray the contact cleaner in the small holes of each of them while pushing and releasing the record button do it 6 or 8 times ...you don't have to soak them haha once you fell it is enough, stop wait about 5 minutes for the cleaner to dry .....then turn it on and give it a test .....this is exactly what I did .....I hope it works ....good luck

[@dark25mc]

@@wldwon thanks you! 😉

[@wldwon]

@@dark25mc it worked ...Great !!

[@bluenazz]

@punktexas I just googled the KD-85 and it is a beautiful looking deck, likely TOTL!

[@MrJR2309]

I just found one of these for $4.99. Works fine - the pause switch was hanging by a thread and came off during transport home, but I can still use the Pause if I choose to.

[@bluenazz]

That's great! That JVC was a really nice cassette deck!

[@bluenazz]

The nice thing about cassette decks is that you can find a better one at a garage sale almost any week end and it shouldn't set you back more than $5 or so.

[@pvb9964]

not anymore...

[@DrCassette]

One thing that didn't fit into the previous comment: JVC cassette decks are wonderful for as long as you don't want to fix them. They are horrible to work with! I so far have tried to fix 4 JVC decks, and was not successful :P

[@bluenazz]

@triangman1992 With Japanese Victor, it's a "victory" if you can fix them (:>

[@bluenazz]

@triangman1992 LOL! A real project piece someone with patience!

[@Fighthouse154]

I have the next model up The JVC KD-15, but it has a bunch of mechanical problems. oh well.

[@astrobro13]

I have the same cassette deck, and I had the same problem when I first tried it on one of my tapes. Here are a few directions to get your meters to work again properly: Note: Make sure there is a cassette tape in the cassette deck because it would only work that way. - Press the record key - Wait for 2 seconds - Press the record key to stop - Play the tape and see what the meters do. If one or all of the meters still goes ''over the charts'', then try the directions again. If all of the meters work properly, then you've fixed it! Sometimes this problem will happen again a few times, but you'll know what to do. If it did, SUBSCRIBE me! - ASTROBRO13

[@bluenazz]

Thanks for the advice astro! I no longer have this tape deck but your tip may work on any deck. Thanks for watching!