AKAI 1720L reel to reel tape recorder repair

[@jackevans2386]

Nice job ! I too used to own a 1720L back in the 70s and have just purchased a non working unit this week. I'm an EE so hope to have it working soon if all goes well. Thank you for sharing.

[@burprobrox9134]

One of the few channels that I like the video before I even start watching.

[@burprobrox9134]

Ok just got to the grandads earwax imagery... nevermind

[@markinnes4264]

That makes me so happy that you saved this beautiful machine from the scrap pile.

[@sammezzell7191]

Recently just had a 1721W come into my possession. I appreciate seeing you dive into yours. I'm listening to it right now. Going to dive into it this next week and fix the volume crackle I have, clean the heads, and see about cleaning/lubing the drive wheels.

[@chrisamadeus4647]

I just purchased one of these "untested" looking at this video encourages me that it may be easy to work on if not fully functional when delivered. Great video.

[@Markus0021]

I loved when he wiggles the volume knob - _crunch - crackle - crunch_ "this may need cleaning as well." Yeah, when I helped friends in the 70's & 80's with their electrical audio devices, they almost always needed cleaner sprayed into their volume & tone controls. Sometimes that's _all_ they needed.

[@Steve-bo6ht]

After watching your superb recondtion of the Akai its got me searching for a similar machine to bring back to it's original standard.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Always a treat seeing the inner workings of old electronics, and seeing them brought back to life. Educational too.

[@miladirani4313]

I read a book about soundrecording in cinema and there are a picture from recorder like this , i search to know aboute mechanism and find your channel, fantastic thank you im persian from iran

[@markusfuller]

Thank you Milad :-)

[@gashgill]

Thanks Markus, Ive just acquired one of these as I've lots of old band stuff on tape but it certainly needs some TLC.. Brilliant video, thank you.

[@sootikins]

Oh wow... major flashback when you pulled off the front plate to expose the mechanism! I had an Akai X-1800SD back in the day. It had the identical transport mechanism under the hood. Great little machine, wish I still had it.

[@zentriceggofficial]

Well done getting it working again. I just got one of these machines yesterday. Playback is fine, absolutely no recording though, mic and line inputs can't be heard and the machine is still playing what's on the tape during record! That suggests a switching issue I guess. I will need to take the chassis out and access rear and underside.

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

Love those sturdy akai machines.... Having 3 of them: GX 210D auto reverse (bought in 72), 4000D and 4000DS, all with GX for "Glass-Xtal" heads. Still working perfectly right, with almost no maintenance except the usual one (cleaning and demagnetizing). On the long run, they are even more trustworthy than my Revoxes (A77 and B77s). Btw, the model here is a bit older, probably 69-70: Akai had a whole range of those with built in amp and speakers introduced in the late 60s and working with only one motor and two heads for the cheapest ones.

[@ThomasGrillo]

Wow! Great job restoring that open reel deck. I had three of those I bought from a station owner that went belly up. Unfortunately, half the circuitry, and motors had already been gutted, and sold to other parties, leaving me with boat anchors to leave in the bin. LOL would've cost around $4K to restore them all, and nobody would buy them when I tried to sell them. LOL. Oh, I've finalized the melody line I'm putting to Don't Waste the Day. :)

[@markusfuller]

Hi Thomas. it will be nice to hear your theremin work played to Don’t waste the day. the whole track is on soundcloud if you want to use it and add to it that would be great.

[@fordessexv6]

Excellent video Markus! I think it may be before 1974 as i have 2 1721Ls which came out after yours , I think. They seem to be dated very early 1970s. They both still work, i doubt my ipod will still work after 50 years!

[@SuperGeorge2112]

great video as usual Markus, you make repairs look so easy !! and their not lol.

[@TheGrifCannon00]

Many thanks for making this video. I just 'aqured' (in exchange for repairing a B&O Turntable) the earlier 1710L, which actually has 5 valves instead of transistors. Now I'll know what to look for when fixing it.

[@pastoelio]

yay markus fuller is back , always love to see u repair and explain stuff

[@midmodaudio6576]

just found this video and found it to be very informative, helpful and entertaining.

[@genuinefreewilly5706]

tnx Mark, you are a genius, at the very least you remind me of how I used to abuse these machines as delay units as young person. I tried my best to fix or disegage mechanical features. I used to think I fn John Lennon miking a piano via a home reel to reel recorder, One of my buddys inspired me, he won a scholarship in art school messing around with tons of tape loops I hope he sees this. I'll send him a message. He is between you and Ave

[@johannes914]

Those Akai reel to reel are built like tanks... Thank you for the video.

[@lee__1707]

Hello stranger nice to see you back :):) good find for 10 quid

[@Musicradio77Network]

I have my Akai 1721W and it uses the same mechanism design as the 1720 did and it looks really cool.

[@anton6280]

A very long wait, but I am glad that you are back. Thank you for the informative video.

[@moldyoldie7888]

I worked for a small manufacturer of tape recorders years ago. A straw poll of the engineering department showed approximately 2/3 of the engineers were left-handed. You'd be right at home.

[@brianmorton4127]

Very cool. I have a 1722W that my dad bought in 76. Great machines!

[@christchurchcoventrytechie4413]

Great video mate. I have a 4000D and the mechanics are exactly the same - I think Akai used basically the same mechanics from the mid 60s up until they stopped making reel to reel decks at the end of the 70s. Surprised to see it's a 2-head - I thought Akais were all 3-head machines. As per a previous comment, I think your 1720 would have been made around 1970, as the 1721 (which I assume was later, you never know) was around at the same time as the 4000DS i.e. mid 70s.

[@JMNTN]

It looks very similar to my akai x-150d. Great reel to reel for a beginner who wants to learn to repair things too. It’s a very simple device with little electronics and all the mechanical parts are very large

[@sharktracks]

Thanks! I have a broken 1721L, and I now have the courage to fix it. (it has a PVC cow on the outside :-)

[@ACCOUNTANTB]

it has a built in amp and speakers !! its like the father of the boombox !! really cool tape recorder !

[@nickpaddock6137]

I always enjoy watching your videos Markus, but this one I found fascinating.

[@ianmedium]

It’s funny, I have been thinking of you these past few days and hoped all was well, so lovely to see a new video.

[@markusfuller]

Sorry it’s been a while since my last video. all is well. many thanks.

[@13streets]

Hi Markus I have same model, but it’s fwd and rewind is not working, pulleys are not taking load of spools,

[@doktoruzo]

Good to see you back Markus. More videos please

[@rajeevsiriwardena3936]

Thanks buddy ; great video ; helped me to have an understanding before buy the same model

[@markusfuller]

Thank you

[@truthseeker3907]

Thank You Markus Fuller and Keep up the Good Work! Thumbs up! :)

[@localtechnique]

Great to see another video Markus! "Manc-ed Up" sounds like a Happy Mondays compilation.

[@muzikman2008]

I used to have an AKAI Reel-Reel many years ago, for mastering my finished music to...something magical about mechanical recording gear :-)

[@info-on-scubadiving]

I used to have one back in the late 70's - bought it from a friend.

[@edjones3390]

Great Vid, BTW hollow plastic shaft from Q tip is great for straightening out bent IC legs

[@markusfuller]

thats a good tip. thank you.

[@Ferdybroom]

excellent instructional video, in fact one of the best I've ever seen. Far too many 'how to' online docs are gabbled far too fast to take in, the maker hasn't worked out what they want to say beforehand, and the result is a rambling narration, lots of pauses and digressions, and crucial points are assumed and not explained, as if the viewer is already an expert. To tell the truth, I think a lot of these poor efforts are really about 'look at me, aren't I clever?' and end up explaining next to nothing. Sad to say, american amateur producers seem to be particularly bad. Like yourself I found my Akai pretty much 'on the scrap heap' in my late cousin's mouldering garden shed, but because it wasn't seriously corroded I thought I'd give it a go. After a bit of cleaning and general 'tweakery' everything now seems to be working mechanically speaking, including fast forward / fast rewind EXCEPT that it won't enter play, which is not much use to me (I am involved in live music). To judge from the 'crackling' on both volume pots (like yours) audible in both speakers, I'm fairly confident the electronics will be fine (hopefully in 'record' as well as 'play'!). Now to the big problem: the take-up reel runs just fine with no tape in the gate (obviously the little 'stop pin' near the head has to be manually operated), but the left hand spool can hardly be turned by hand in the correct anticlockwise direction, so the whole thing stops passing tape after rotating much less than one turn, as if there's some sort of brake stuck on. Maybe a sticky servo motor, but what do I know? I hardly even understand how the mechanics work, let alone the electronics. I still own - and use - a number of reel to reelers, including a mono Ferrograph half-track, which is actually rather good for live music, because it eliminates the left to right phase issues of a DIY stereo recording, which tend to knock out some HF, making for 'dull' results. Also an all-valve 4A and a Studer A807, and although I wouldn't put the Akai quite in that league, it's obviously one of the better made consumer machines of the 1970s era, possibly just 'pipped' by Sony's machines, of which I have a '3 head' model, so I can actually hear what's gone down to tape, rather than merely monitoring the input, which proves nothing. So the Akai still seems worth taking a bit of time and trouble over it to save it from the local tip. Any clues out there as to my problem upon entering 'play' will be most welcome; and sincere thanks again for such a well made and carefully thought out instructional video

[@armenio1947]

Great video, excellent work. Thank you so much for sharing, I have the 1722L I bought when I was in the Portuguese Armed Forces, have passed a few decades and it's still perfect. I'd just like to improve the sound that's too low, what do you think I can do. Thank you so much for your help.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

They don't make 'em like that any more! I have an Akai 1720L in my loft - perhaps I should get it down and see if it still works.

[@washingtoncarrasco522]

Notable!!! Muchas gracias desde Uruguay

[@CJ-rf9jm]

Don't worry about people complaining about your music, You can make music well enough n it sounds fine. Also helps you avoid the youtube copywrong fiends.

[@procta2343]

great to see something been saved, that could have just been sent straight into the bin, just needed a bit of maintance

[@Droy3774]

Awesome video, thank you for making this.

[@MrBobLucas]

This is a very interesting video. I picked up this model a few years back and it has given me a few problems.. the breaking mechanism sticks sometimes and other times doesn’t engage at all (which is kind of preferable because at least the tape plays), sometimes it decides it doesn’t want to rewind, the VU meter doesn’t seem to react very well to the volume of the tape and I have to wonder if I shouldn’t worry about that giant 50 year old capacitor in the power supply!

[@markusfuller]

Hi Bob. I decided to let mine go to a friend not long after making this video. It looked very nice in my studio but but new faults were appearing too often and only a matter of time till it becomes completely unfixable. still it does look good though.

[@MrBobLucas]

@@markusfuller the look of the machine did help sell it (and the fact they seem to be like hen’s teeth for a halfway reasonable price in my neck of the woods!) Since you’ve used one for musical purposes, would I be committing sacrilege by adding a switch to disable the erase head to make loops with?

[@markusfuller]

Bob Lucas Hi Bob I dont care for keeping things pristine and original this and that etc, I think add the switch and turn it into a great loop machine.

[@bobjerome5390]

hi i work on one for a mate it's a 2 head unit it needed a lot of work i can tell you all carboot finds never work right i have fixed so many reel to reel over the years £10 is a fair deal

[@ColinJamesPoulter]

Thumbs up from me. Great video great music, off to soundcloud I didn't know it was your own musical compositions

[@musicisitall]

one of my tape recorders I had 2 matching akai speakers included with jack plugs

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Good restauration, salutes

[@ceciliapayne5025]

I found this extremely interesting. Thank you. (that's my wife's picture to the left but it's her better half (?) asking advice) Many years ago I bought an Argyll Minor tape recorder. Looks ok - switches on, reels revolve, nice and quiet BUT no sound. Volume button makes no difference. My big question is DO YOU DO REPAIRS?. I would love to get this working again - recordings of myself reading my very young daughters bedtime stories etc. who are now in their 50s!. Please get back to me if only to say buzz off. Many thanks Eric Payne Lincolnshire.

[@markusfuller]

Hi Eric, I am truly sorry but I retired a while ago from making repairs and sold off a lot of my test gear. I rarely make videos now as I’m catching up with home repairs and gardening etc. my sincere apologies.

[@ceciliapayne5025]

Hello. Many thanks for getting back - it was appreciated and I hope you are enjoying your retirement. I’m wondered if you may know of anyone else who I could approach who may be able to help. Many thanks. Eric Payne

[@tomsimon1974]

hi , i bought a toshiba pt-862 reel to reel machine awhile ago, that looks as good as it did when it rolled off the line, looks mint, except for one minor thing, the reels are not turning, when i plug it in the VU Meters light up and look vibrant, but for some reason when i turn the knob to play, nothing happens, there is a sticker on the back saying it was serviced in 2018, so it must have worked fine then, it's baffling to say the least, i'm no electronics technician or any sort of expert, more a plug & play kinda guy, lol, so if you have any ideas as to what the issue may be, i'd love to hear them, thanks in advance, regards Tom

[@johnlomasney]

Looks like a nice machine

[@marcoalfaro6313]

I love your video i just wish that you had spend more time showing how to clean all of the tone controls and volume and all of the old grease. because I need to do that to my AKAI M-9 that i had for over 30 years and my nobs are all stif

[@chriswareham]

Had a slightly earlier model, the 1712L I think, and it also had a bent reel post. I tried to gently straighten it but it broke - Akai used some really horrible "pot metal" for some of the parts on these early to mid 1970s models. Apart from the pot metal parts like the cams disintegrating, the usual problem with these machines is that they will playback but wont record.

[@Musicradio77Network]

You can still get these 3D printed cams online. It’s available for $80, it can replace any Akai models.

[@MrBubbies543]

Hi did you just spray the switch cleaner down the end of the switch or dismantle it and spray it in thanks

[@northerncatto]

Awesome video, now I'm a bit less scared to open up my Akai (I think it's a 2000SL?) to clean it up. It works, but it belonged to a bunch of chain smoking elderly people.

[@organfairy]

The 1720 is an updated version of the 1700 (which I have). The differences are that the 1700 has a tube amplifier and the reels are held in place which some rubber retainers - that has a tendency to become loose over the years - instead of the little plastic locks.

[@markusfuller]

Hi yes I had an earlier version that had a stack of 2 mono valve amps under the tape to tape section. that had those rubber catches that always fell off. I use to have to put a small piece of metal inside the rubber catch to give it some grip but it never lasted long.

[@CJ-rf9jm]

Reminds me of my dads old Nakamichi 1000 which I still have in working condition which was a bit later in the 70's maybe 79 or so. BTW, if anybody here is starting a punk band it should be called PVC cow.

[@protekprotek4207]

Im here becoz i just bought one last week for abt £40 not working ofcoz, now it's my turn to get her going again 🤞

[@markusfuller]

I hope you get it fully working again. 👍

[@protekprotek4207]

@@markusfuller Thanks Markus 😁👍👍

[@magnuslindberg973]

What happened to ”whiping in the direction of the tape” when cleaning the head?😲 Really glad to see you back!

[@markusfuller]

It was so grubby I thought i was going to need sandpaper

[@benmorris2901]

It's probably earlier. I had an 1800SD, that I bought in 1971 ish.

[@AnalogDude_]

i used a Fostex d90, other producer also used a Fostex d90/d180 + sony minidisc as master disc.

[@dragosmariusstanescu1239]

Super, thank you👌

[@stephencresswell4760]

The screws that hold the back rubber feet on also hold in the mechanism?

[@jimboblivesforever]

Omnichord vibes in that recording - I approve!

[@markusfuller]

Yes I used the omnichord OM-84. great little machine.

[@SDsailor7]

@@markusfuller I have the Akai 1722W cool little machines. mine right is not working due to no sound in playback. Cheers

[@SDsailor7]

@@markusfuller Very interesting and informative video. Cheers

[@anggeragungendarko8267]

Hello, could you show how to setting bias of this unit? Thank you.

[@PorchBass]

Nice tune!

[@markusfuller]

Thanks James. better if you played the bass riff on it for me.

[@felixbr26]

Very interesting! Thank you 👍🤗

[@AlexBallMusic]

Very interesting!

[@11calman]

markusfuller G,Day mate, gib williamson here, NZ, Ive got one of these had it for years and years plus others of course, but I'm not very tech minded. My one has stopped ??? (Wont turn on) I'm wondering where the fuse is,,, If your still on this earth looking at the Americas cup seeing how your British boat went, maybe you could let me know where the fuse Is & I'll tell you how your boat went Gib

[@vegettoblue8705]

Preciate the outro

[@clydesight]

Nice video Markus! Is the machine running at 3-3/4 ips? I don't see the larger 7-1/2 ips capstan sleeve they used to use. People lose those a lot! Your music is always fantastic. Why would anyone NOT like it?

[@markusfuller]

Hi yes the sizing capstan is there luckily.

[@gavinguy148]

Great video, Loved the music, reminded me of the Thompson twins 🙂

[@aspectcarl]

Lovely things ❤️

[@sydviscous7006]

You neglected to mention that the large capacitors can deliver a nasty electrical shock, even with the unit unplugged. Always be careful around these large caps when working on these old machines.

[@kerryabrahams55]

I have recently bought a Akai 1720 L taperecorder. It only plays tapes recorded at low speed 1 7/8 or 3 3/4 ips. Any suggestions to get it playing 7 1/2 ips? Regards Kerry.

[@aabithaamanulla]

Hello sir how r u I have the same model of AKAI 1720L how can I replace the head of the recorder can I have your advice for the repair

[@aabithaamanulla]

It would be very helpful

[@jinggarcia]

Hi Mark, question: I'm also working on an old mono reel to reel. Mechanicals are OK but the electronics for the sound output is not. Will it work if I simply put a preamp direct from the head and a separate audio output completely bypassing the circuit board? Thanks.

[@markusfuller]

hi autoceremony. I think it should work .

[@tonalaxis_AXiS_MODULAR]

That’s reel good that!

[@CaalamusTube]

I'd *MUCH* rather hear your Original Compositions anyhow :] ...wish you lived in NY! I'd pay you to rehab my Sony TC-570!

[@nebuchadnezzar6913]

Hello what screw drivers do you need to remove the front plate like you have done. Thanks

[@markusfuller]

I cannot remember as it was many years ago. they were not special screws - just flat end or philips.

[@lashlarue7924]

Bravo! (That's a technical term too! ;-)

[@manusudha4269]

There is an engineering flaw in the rewind train . I had re engineered it many years ago.

[@theresafasolo4813]

Can you help me with something? I have a Grundig model TK2200. It's been in my church for many years. I don't know if it works or not, but I'm going crazy trying to find out where I might be able to get parts for it. But I have to find out to even see if it works first. Ebay drives me crazy just to ask about anything. I don't trust Ebay Thanks

[@ahah1785]

Anyone knows what would it cost to repair my akai 260D? Channels are screeching and fade and drop out...wont record anything except when applying super high input gain and even then only left channel records...the other one wont even erase...Its a sad thing i have 6diffrent r2r machines in mint condition but old age is finally creeps on them in various degrees... =(

[@stealthracer]

"The thing was manked-up." Well I knew what you meant!

[@cage71-ho2sw]

Funny enough i have brand new one unused Akai 1710L boxed the black one with microphones etc and even receipt

[@zahidibrahim6008]

Hi, I am trying to download owners manual of AKAI 1721 W but without success. Would appreciate if some one could help me .

[@slobodanjozejoksimovic973]

Majstore ima li šanse da kupim aparat koji ima svoje zvučnike i pojačalo i još dva izlaza zvučna. Zatim glave za uher sg 520 i rojal de luce. Pozdrav joška Srbija.

[@i-synth5687]

Wiggle has been replaced with jiggle! Ps, Jean Micheal Jarre wants his tape back......

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Nice speakers

[@timridley1]

Are you based in the US?

[@saintnicholas5507]

Amazing

[@twotone3070]

Nicely unmanked, unit must have been used for an early Oasis recording.

[@tomvalusek]

👏👏👏

[@Digiloog]

A PVC cow... LOL

[@frac]

Udderly ridiculous.

[@ianmedium]

Fracture that truly was a Moooooving comment :)

[@snurkergerm6168]

... that's been eating Grandad's earwax

[@MyPOLYSTAR]

Eu tenho Roberts(AKAI),modelo:1740X Solid State.