Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - "Vintage" Akai GX-F51 Cassette Deck Problems
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DPDISXR4Ti
01-20-07, 09:14 PM
This is a 1983 era deck, so clearly it's not worth investing much time/money in. That said, it generally plays fine, on the few occassions that I use it any more. Over the years, the reverse and FF functions have gotten weak; now they totally do nothing. I haven't opened it up yet, but is this likely just a belt issue and replacing the belts should fix this?
Secondly, today I went to play a tape that was fully rewound, and when I hit "play", the right side didn't spin up fast enough and it ate the tape. I quickly stopped it and was able to extract the tape without too much trauma to the tape. This is the first time this has ever happened in 23 years, and is of greater concern. Is this likely also a belt issue?
Lastly, while all the buttons (soft touch) still work, the play button in particular needs a little extra persuasion. I'm thinking maybe there's some contacts that can be cleaned - yes, no, maybe?
Any input appreciated.
Secondly, today I went to play a tape that was fully rewound, and when I hit "play", the right side didn't spin up fast enough and it ate the tape. I quickly stopped it and was able to extract the tape without too much trauma to the tape. This is the first time this has ever happened in 23 years, and is of greater concern. Is this likely also a belt issue?
Lastly, while all the buttons (soft touch) still work, the play button in particular needs a little extra persuasion. I'm thinking maybe there's some contacts that can be cleaned - yes, no, maybe?
Any input appreciated.
Beachboy
01-22-07, 02:49 PM
As the owner of a vintage Kenwood cassette deck from about 1979, I can understand your interest in keeping these old units running, as there isn't anything currently out there with the construction quality of the older equipment from the 70's and 80's.
It sure sounds like the belts have gotten stretched and are slipping. I'd say replacing all belts and cleaning the pulleys should get you back up and going. However, the "fly in the ointment" is finding replacement belts. The Akai company that built your cassette deck is no longer in business. Yes, you still see Akai branded products out there, but the Akai name was bought years ago by some third-rate manufacturer. Your best bet for belts might be a full service electronic repair facility, although those are becoming rare.
Good luck!
It sure sounds like the belts have gotten stretched and are slipping. I'd say replacing all belts and cleaning the pulleys should get you back up and going. However, the "fly in the ointment" is finding replacement belts. The Akai company that built your cassette deck is no longer in business. Yes, you still see Akai branded products out there, but the Akai name was bought years ago by some third-rate manufacturer. Your best bet for belts might be a full service electronic repair facility, although those are becoming rare.
Good luck!
DPDISXR4Ti
01-22-07, 03:11 PM
Been doing a little searching in the mean time, and these guys have a very complete listing of "belt kits" for all sorts of cassette decks, turntables, etc.
http://www.vintage-electronics.cc/
Click on the "Meet the Staff" button and you'll see they have a sense of humor too. :O)
I wondered about Akai, as I hadn't seen their name around for years until recently, and now I see it on low-end LCD TV's. Apparently "low-end" doesn't apply only to the price. <sigh>
I guess the new owners are just getting some mileage out of the brand name until they completely tarnish it.
From Wikipedia....
In late 2004 the Akai corporation was bought out of bankruptcy by Grande Group. The brand is now owned by the Grande Group of Hong Kong, who also owns Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. It is now used on rebadged electronics manufactured by other companies.
http://www.vintage-electronics.cc/
Click on the "Meet the Staff" button and you'll see they have a sense of humor too. :O)
I wondered about Akai, as I hadn't seen their name around for years until recently, and now I see it on low-end LCD TV's. Apparently "low-end" doesn't apply only to the price. <sigh>
I guess the new owners are just getting some mileage out of the brand name until they completely tarnish it.
From Wikipedia....
In late 2004 the Akai corporation was bought out of bankruptcy by Grande Group. The brand is now owned by the Grande Group of Hong Kong, who also owns Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. It is now used on rebadged electronics manufactured by other companies.
HotinOKC
01-22-07, 03:21 PM
Akai is (pardon the verbage) crap. NEVER EVER buy any new Akai product.
DPDISXR4Ti
01-22-07, 03:29 PM
Sad and scary to see that a brand name like Nakamichi is now held by the same parent as Akai and Sansui. Hopefully they won't trash the Nakamichi name as well - that would just be sad. :(
But back on track, one other minor issue with my Akai deck. The automated door-closer doesn't quite pull the tape fully into position - it needs a little push to get it all the way home. More of an annoyance issue, but it would be nice to fix this too while I've got it open. Think this might just be a belt issue too?
But back on track, one other minor issue with my Akai deck. The automated door-closer doesn't quite pull the tape fully into position - it needs a little push to get it all the way home. More of an annoyance issue, but it would be nice to fix this too while I've got it open. Think this might just be a belt issue too?