Pioneer RT 707 Reel To Rell Restoration And Common Problems

This video is pretty much a restoration of a Pioneer RT-707 reel to reel deck send in by a customer. Changed all the capacitors and most of the transistors and go over common issues with these decks I seen over the years.

[@lorenzoparedes2306]

I still have mine, which I bought brand new about almost 30 years ago. I am amazed at the durability and accuracy of the machine. I am preparing to replace the rubber tire on the capstan roller, and the tape meter belt. I still have RTR commercially produced and home recorded tapes, some of which are over 50 years old. It looks like this mechanical, analog based equipment is here to stay. Yeh!

[@oscarmendez2518]

Nice restoration on a great deck.

[@destijl7414]

Excellent work and thanks for sharing the video!

[@margiconstantino3548]

I too have a 707 that needs attention . Do you have a website? I'd like to phone to discuss my options.

[@insolentstickleback3266]

I love my perfectly functioning 707. It was serviced 15 years ago.

[@nealnappa2444]

Thank you for all the information I have one of these. And yes I was experiencing very fast speeds. I have no idea why they would put transistors in like that because it's like a guarantee to fail later. Thank you for the information on the capacitors on the motor control board

[@spinzvinyl]

I just bought a 701 that needs work. It makes a lot of noise when it’s powered on. Like a gear is turning. It also doesn’t change speeds. It seems okay otherwise. I’m looking for a place to have it serviced in the Portland OR area.

[@JS-cm1kr]

@The Tech Genie, Great video and nice work. Regretfully, I noticed that your eBay links no longer work. Are you still performing restoration and recap service on the RT-707s? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[@michaelcarroll2399]

JS- I don’t see a response but were you able to contact The Tech Genie?

[@JS-cm1kr]

@@michaelcarroll2399, regretfully I never heard anything from him. I even tried sending him an email, but he hasn't responded to that yet either.

[@michaelcarroll2399]

J S that’s unfortunate. I was all excited since he went through 2 issues my rt-707 is currently having. It sucks because I have been burned twice with local techs in my area that don’t know what they are doing :(

[@JS-cm1kr]

@@michaelcarroll2399 Absolutely! He sure seemed like a great tech from his videos. With that said, I sure hope that everything is alright with him especially since the last time he released a video was 8 months ago.

[@nathanstotts7320]

Is anybody know anybody that can do this? Mines in fairly good shape but I want it worked on before it gets Bad.

[@patrickmccartney719]

Great video, very helpful. Could you please list all the part numbers and part manufacturer of the replacement transistors used to replace the old ones and where they were purchased? Thanks in advance. P

[@sampalermo123]

The KSC1845 were available at Mouser or Digikey but they may have stopped making them. I bought 1000 for my shop from China and they do work and were tested to be compatible. They are Fairchild.

[@beechpilot57]

Thanks for the tip on the (3) 0.1mfd caps. I replaced them with the board in place. I also replaced 10 of the 2SC1344's I did have a dead R ch input on my 707 I bought a few days ago, but was a bad transistor on the mic amplifier assembly.

[@SDsailor7]

Did you do the work yourself?

[@MollydogRadar]

On the 0.1 mfd caps, what pF are they. I'm thinking 2 to 5 pF, but not sure.

[@onomehtenialb]

Excellent video THANKS!

[@simz327]

Hi! I’m from California and I have an RT707 what is your turnaround on restoration?

[@faneuil1]

Would love to have you Take a look at my RT707. How best to get in touch with you?

[@adie939]

Thank you for a very informative video. I too have this excellent machine and preparing to give it a new lease of life with recapping and all. So far I have no issues but considering the age, why wait?

[@vernondavis7199]

Great information, thanks for sharing. What part of the country are you located? I could use a good tech.

[@sampalermo123]

I have to say that out of many of the videos I have observed this one has technical competence and is well done. The speaker has a tendency to go on about the model number- we know what model it is in the first sentence. Fast wind should be checked with a regular tape not an alignment tape as in case the brakes are not also serviced. Also not mentioned is the shut off arm needs damping grease on it as if it does not have it the rewind will false trigger in shut off as well as play will not stay in play- there is a balance to be met in having it move in 1.5 seconds and not too fast or too slow.

[@thetechgenie7374]

Yes the auto stop level definitely needs to have old grease removed as well as turn to glue pretty much and then new damping grease. I change the brakes material if worn, or reglue the brake material on these as the glue dries up and material separates from the metal band.

[@andrewmervynscott]

Hi Tech Genie. I have a RT-707 that needs restoration. How can I get in touch with you?

[@MrShogun25]

how much to recap full machine thanks..

[@leecambsuk2871]

I take it you are referring to Q107-Q108 failing in the playback line drive stage? I'll double check suitable replacements for the 2SC1344 although the 2SC1845 probably works ok.

[@cdwhiley]

Great video. This makes me want to sell my RT-707 immediately. I'll never be able to service this thing. The number of wires soldered all over the place haphazardly makes me cringe at the thought of it. How much does this kind of service cost? $500? More? It would seem complete servicing of this machine would cost more than a whole machine is worth. At most these machines bring $800-$900 so its just crazy. Mine plays both directions, rewinds, fast forwards, and records....but the VU meters are out, the directional lamps are out, and every now and then it decides to start dumping tape into the floor. I think I'll try to get $500 for it and run away.

[@SDsailor7]

Yup the repair would not be cheap. And in that condition i dont think you would get $500 for it unless the buyer was a technician. I also have one and so far i have not had any problems with it. The only problem that it has is the counter belt is no good, it was like that since i bought it. Great machines.

[@cdwhiley]

@@SDsailor7 have you seen recent sold listings? Fully serviced 100% machines are bringing $900-$1100 these days…

[@SDsailor7]

That must be on ebay then.

[@EnochLight]

@@SDsailor7 - eBay is literally where the vast majority of people get vintage electronics from, so that tracks.

[@EnochLight]

To everyone (and the OP): typical full re-cap and lube/cleaning is about $600 USD.

[@daydreamer0213]

I have an issue with my RT 707. The push up and Lock on the right pinch wheel is facing at 12 o'clock. I noticed in you video the Push up and Lock is facing more like 1 and 2 o'clock. Basically whenever I push stop the tape is really loose. Is that something I can fix?

[@coogeedude308]

I have a RT-707 R2R I need to replace the counter belt. Is it possible for you to make a video on how to do this. Not very novice friendly. More for qualified techs. Still a good video.

[@michaelschmidt8057]

My RT-707 tranport won't engage and capstan motor does not spin. How can I contact you?

[@jimmyjoejeeter2366]

Excellent video, I have the Pioneer RT-701 What all maintenance should a person be doing yearly? Do the motors need a few drops of oil? Is it hard to replace the counter belt? I bought the belt off ebay.

[@ArtDesignSound]

hi, my RT707 have a speed issue, but it fixs itself after 10 minutes of play, but speed will go up again after you leave it for a few hours or overnight, do you think this is the problem with those 3 blue 01 50v caps you were saying in the video? thanks in advance

[@rafaelbenitez1432]

Hello Tech Genie what is your shops locatin. I live in Newark NJ I have a couple of reel to reel and I own a pioneer 707 I may refurbish.

[@MollydogRadar]

You probably won't see this request of mine, sense you posted it over 3 years ago, what what are the values of the capstan motor speed control board. It sounded like you said 0.1 microfarad at 54 volts. I would like to buys these before I tear it apart. Thanks.

[@HuongTran-Audio]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jonathonfagan7741]

how can i hire you to restore my 707? great video.

[@mimomoustafa4477]

Hi there, I have RT-909, how do I get in touch with you, and where would I send it. Thanks

[@NadeemHayek]

Just win one on eBay auction and waiting for it to arrive.. original owner said it’s in a good condition.. I hope I’ll be satisfied when I get my hands on

[@SDsailor7]

How expensive was your win? Is it in good shape?

[@NadeemHayek]

@@SDsailor7 Don’t worry about the price for this gem. Auction ended for only $500. I saw it from 300 to 1000

[@NadeemHayek]

@@SDsailor7 Luckily it had the original packaging from original owner so it’s near mint. And I’m not even in the states It was shipped overseas. Shipping and customs costed me double the price in JD currency

[@SDsailor7]

@@NadeemHayek The one i have i paid $150usd. And the only problem is that it was missing the counter belt.

[@NadeemHayek]

@@SDsailor7 you Americans live in heaven. I have to pay shipping and customs plus time and risk to get a device from eBay

[@dab7963]

How can we reach you. I have an RT 701 and would love to have you service it.

[@lysanderhubbard6863]

My buddy's Pioneer RT909 keep blowing the fuse what could possibly be the problem

[@MiguelCHUNGSANG]

Hi, thank you for sharing. Do you know how to fix the light of one of the VU meters?

[@bones007able]

Replace all the caps and transistors?... I want one with the optional wooden case ... those are rare

[@nshifferd]

Do you still work on the Pioneer RT-707 reel to reel’s?

[@MrJimbos87]

I'm needing help with my Pioneer RT 707 reel to reel I'm needing done what you done on this one

[@ThuyTran-di1ij]

Hi I tried to look you up on the ebay link that you provide but could not find. I have a 707 want to have it service if you can provide a way to contact. Thank you

[@jamesapplegate8256]

What would be the cost to refurbish this unit and where is your shop? Thanks

[@dab7963]

How so you find this guy so you can hire him?

[@billborgh8119]

How do we contact you to refurb a RT-707? I have one that I purchase back in the early 1980's.

[@SuleymanAkhundov]

Hi, nice video! Seems like you know what you are doing. ) I recently bought RT-707 from a guy in TX. It seems to work, but I am a little concerned about the top of the machine heating up fast. I do not know what is expected / norm, vs what would be causing concern. Also, at times I hear a bit of a rubbing noise coming from the left reel motor. I sent the seller a message asking him to share any info he might have on the service history of this machine, but at this stage, I have no idea if/when this machine was serviced and what was done to it. Is there a way to contact you directly to discuss any potential service? Thanks a lot!

[@thetechgenie7374]

They do get hot on top front as motor load resistor are on top. You sure not hear rubbing sound. Likely needs servicing. I have a link on eBay for service. This one for complete service and recapping www.ebay.com/itm/193138862944 This one for basic service www.ebay.com/itm/193041614458

[@SuleymanAkhundov]

@@thetechgenie7374 Thank you! I spent some time and realized that the rubbing and somewhat screeching sound is actually coming from the rollers. What oil / greese would you recommend for oiling the machine? Thank you!

[@jamescache1768]

@@thetechgenie7374 the links are broken

[@SDsailor7]

@@thetechgenie7374 If i am in the process of making a recording do both VU meter needles need to be moving equally? Or do they change depending on the signal from the musi passages ie. The highs and lowes? Thank you

[@SDsailor7]

@@thetechgenie7374 If i am in the process of making a recording do both VU meter needles need to be moving equally? Or do they change depending on the signal from the musi passages ie. The highs and lowes? Thank you

[@rrinquen]

Other possible issues... any thoughts? 1. Capstan pinch roller -- worn or hardened rubber. Is the screw-on wheel still replaceable? If not, is it sufficient to just press on a new tire (rubber ring). I see it available from Reverb. 2. Reverse play mode -- tape goes out of track. This has long been a problem with mine, so it's been decades since I enabled auto-reverse. 3. Squeaking. I think this is a mechanical issue, with squeaking occurring at the left-hand tracking arm (the arm that locks up when threading, then is sprung and moveable during tape motion). I tried cleaning, checked that it wasn't the reel squeaking, finally resorted to wrapping Teflon plumbing tape on the guide. What's a "correct" solution?

[@sampalermo123]

Pinch Rollers are rebuilt by Terry in Sparta MI. Push on rubber never works right and if I see that on a machine the roller goes to Terry right away. This is an idiots way to fix a roller and phase error is horrible and wow and flutter is not spec. There should be no mistracking of Skew to tape if you have a good roller- I rarely see that at all. There should be no squeaking on a deck. The guides might have residue from sticky tape in them. Isopropyl does no good in cleaning, Ethanol or Denatured alcohol is what I use in the shop but some stubborn oxide deposits may have to be removed with Acetone or Lacquer Thinner which has acetone in it. You can also inspect and remove with a straight blade. A strip of 1/4" sandpaper around 400 grit can be dragged through the guides to make sharp edges are removed and also to smooth out or remove the last of a deposit.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

i'm with u. i hate blue LEDs

[@FernandoRGarza]

Hello I have the entire system reel to reel, amp, radio,cassette player and record player that may need some tuning were can I get in contact with you I’m in TX.

[@gilbertofinatelli6108]

hello friend. I like this video.with this video i was able to repair the speed of my pioneer rt 707. now i need to regulate the bias but i have no idea how to do it. could you help me how to do it. you replace the transistors c 1344 with the c 1845 ok. and the transistor c 1213 you replaced with which. my name is gilberto and i'm from brazil.

[@nathanstotts7320]

Do you have a website You still do this work?

[@MrShogun25]

hi do you have a website so we can talk on working on my 707 thanks

[@SleepingLionsProductions]

I wish you showed us the part where you Biased it. Thats some information that we need and the manual is not very helpful.

[@robertdavis5714]

Hmmmmmmmmm, interesting. And people say these are bullet proof.

[@EnochLight]

Nothing lasts forever. But they’re solid workhorses once they’re serviced correctly.

[@dubdoodle7191]

Absolute horrid internal engineering design compared to a ReVox.

[@thetechgenie7374]

The Revox reel to reel are built to be serviced so much easier and quite easy to get to boards and do adjustments as needed, just like the more professional studer reel to reel decks. My all favorite are the Revox decks.

[@johnlockesghost5592]

Kind of have to make compromises when designing something this compact.

[@dubdoodle7191]

@@johnlockesghost5592During this era, Japan prioritized the use of plastic & spaghetti circuitry over modularity & reliability

[@savagedick1462]

1845 goes in the opposite way the 1344 goes? Pcb sez bce

[@thetechgenie7374]

It depends on when they are made, not all 1845 are reversed.

[@johnlebebsorger-nb3pv]

is there any particular voltage I need to look out for when I purchase the 1845 transistor

[@elviopena9724]

I too have 3 707 that needs attention . Do you have a website? I'd like to phone to discuss my options.