MCS Stereo Cassette Deck By J.C. Penney - Model 3588 (1982)

[@ACBMemphis]

Follow up video with additional footage of the main belt here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGncfXmNnNunqs0

[@Petzel_KZ9ZAP]

I would have been embarrassed to have JP Penney stereo equipment in the 80's but now I'd love to show off an MCS component in my rack. Funny how that works 😁

[@ACBMemphis]

Yes, I had used some generic combo systems in the 80s from Sears (LXI brand) and K-Mart (LLoyds) and would have probably written off JC Penney not knowing they also sold components... Thanks for watching!

[@m80116]

Ditto for me as well. Thoughtful purchase + the added bonus of the peculiarly of the unit.

[@DrCassette]

Nice cassette deck, and thanks for the friendly mention :)

[@ACBMemphis]

You're welcome!

[@Restorology]

Cool piece!

[@CraigLafferty]

I'm from Memphis, too! I bought my first stereo rack system from JC Penny at the Raleigh Springs Mall in 1983.

[@ACBMemphis]

Thanks for the comment! I remember buying a tape deck at Dillard's Hickory Ridge Mall once.... Ah, Raleigh Springs "Memphis' Most Exciting Mall" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWLEm6yEqr6of8U

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

I know these are entry level but I like the way they look

[@ACBMemphis]

Yes, I agree, with the uniform buttons and vertical VU meter it has a very 'clean' look. Thanks for watching!

[@m80116]

If you service this equipment don't forget to lubricate the ff/rew and capstan motor front bushing... you can appreciate the results immediately since it's easily doable without disassembling the motors and can be done live in a moving transport, sometimes the speed can shoot up 100 Hz in the standard 3kHz tone. For the counter belt is usually ideal a 7mm wide square belt or 1mm absolute max. but should be very loose otherwise the tension will make the clutches for the reels activate without exerting the necessary torque on the cassette hubs. Judging by the inside looks of it it's a totally respectable unit.

[@ACBMemphis]

Thanks for the information!

[@constantin7192]

Hello there, nice video, I was wondering if you know how to obtain access to the other belt, behind the tape belt, in order to change it.

[@ACBMemphis]

Thanks for watching. I did not have to do this, but what I would try is removing the metal bracket where largest motor is attached. If you pause the video about 2:23 you can see at least 3 large plastic posts with screws holding this bracket in place.

[@constantin7192]

@@ACBMemphis Thanks for answering, I have thought that as well but as I tried to disassemble it seemed imposible due to two metal rods "linking" these metal brackets. With a little persuasion I managed to change the belt but now I am a facing a new problem. The largest motor, as soon as, I switch on the cassete player starts spinning. I cannot stop it with any button from the cassete player. Do you have any idea why is this happening? Unfortunately I am not experienced in fixing cassete players so I dont know the correct terms in order to explain them.

[@ACBMemphis]

@@constantin7192 That is normal, in many cassette players the motor runs all the time when the unit is powered up.

[@constantin7192]

@@ACBMemphis Okay, this sounds promising. Is it possible to tell me how the main belt is positioned in your system? Propably some photos or a video or whatever suits you. Because my main problem is that old belt was tossed out from the cassete player and I am not sure if I installed the new one correctly

[@ACBMemphis]

@@constantin7192 Sure, might be a day or two before I have time, but I can take a video of the deck running with the cover off that shows the belt and post it here...

[@TexTom1981]

These weren't terrible components. Not GREAT...but certainly better than things like LXI from Sears. Penny's made an effort to present decent value in audio gear and had Panasonic as one of their main providers.

[@ACBMemphis]

Yes, and I think I read somewhere a theory that part of the downfall of some of these department stores was the fact they dropped electronics and therefore lost a lot of male shoppers... Some local department stores here in Memphis had mostly clothing/furniture in the 80s, but they also had TV's/audio/etc. - that was before the era of Best Buy and Circuit City... Anyway, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@TexTom1981]

@@ACBMemphis Gotta keep in mind it wasn't just electronics. JCP and Sears once offered "the world" when it came to family shopping. Auto stores with private brand tires, tool departments which sold some very good tools. Sporting goods...toys...appliances...had to think what they DIDN'T sell! When they decided to drop cameras, electronicis, sporting goods, close the auto stores...yeah...guys had little to no reason to shop there anymore. Clothes? Meh.