the very first Sony TC KE500s with an upgraded TCM190 transport: assembly and testing.

Well some assembly required :)
Man it sure woulda sucked if it didn't work on this live assembly and testing without any editing, Not to mention the so-called cracked mode gear....
Working right off the bat.
Like the champ that it is.
I'll give this one away just because I won't ever use it and the new belts and rollers will go to shit before I put another tape in it.
If it can't make 2 exact copies at the same time? I've got no room for it! It's the first to get the boot.
Who knows where this one will end up.
Keep an eye out for serial number 8809130 with an -F on the box.
Built with the best parts from 3 ke500s decks and sold but returned because of bias issues, still needs tweaking but now it's slightly better with minor tuning needed.
If that buyer would have kept it? They would have gotten this upgrade for free. Now it will cost someone else slightly more because of today's insane prices and this custom fitted brass center post that will take a beating and keep on playing no matter how many times you have to dig in.
You will not strip or bust this center assembly post because I've tried.