Seattle based tape techs?

[longfade]

I hope this is the right category to post this, but is there anyone in the Seattle area who can help me out with an MCI JH110 1" 8 track machine? Nothing major, just basic calibration, biasing and alignment, I believe. I definitely plan on getting to know this stuff myself, but I'd love to have someone experienced do it so I can observe.

If not that machine, I have a few Otari MX 5050s that could use the same treatment.

Probably a long shot but I've had no luck at all with Condor so I figured I'd try the 'boards.

Thanks....

[Dan Phelps]

I don't know any tape techs, per se, but you might try calling around to some of the studios in the area and see if they know anyone who would want to make a few extra bucks showing you the ropes.

Stuart Hallerman @ Avast! is a really nice guy. I would start there if I were you.

http://www.avastrecording.com/

[Meriphew]

Ditto on calling a couple studios to see who they use. I know when I was mixing at Electrokitty, they had a guy who worked on their tape machine and their Neve console.

[ironbut]

Give Dave Dintenfass at Full Track Productions a ring. He's an Ampex guy but I'm sure he could do what you need or direct you to someone who will.
http://www.fulltrackproductions.com/

[longfade]

Awesome - great tips. Thanks guys.

[stereopathetic_banjo]

For a few hours of on-site tech support, you could get a years worth of phone/email tech support from Steve Sadler. I recently subscribed now that i'm an MCI owner, and I can't recommend him enough. In the past week and a half i've learned more about my machine than i'd learn in a year on my own, easy. Granted, you're doing the physical work, but he's very good at explaining even difficult topics. Even I, who've never in my life aligned a tape machine, had the thing purring in a few days after having him suss it out. I just with his help sussed out a ground problem on the remote that wasn't allowing it to go into rewind. I feel I got my money's worth the first day...gushing aside, consider the option- it's worth it as an MCI owner!

[fazeka]

Give Dave Dintenfass at Full Track Productions a ring. He's an Ampex guy but I'm sure he could do what you need or direct you to someone who will.
http://www.fulltrackproductions.com/

I've worked with Dave in the past and he's made it clear to me he doesn't touch multitracks. He serviced my Ampex AG-350s a couple of years back.

I've worked long-distance with Doug Weeks out of Athens, GA. Tony (drumsound on this forum) will vouch for him...

[mcijh]

Thanks for the good words, Pathetic Banjo....Man. It's all so very simple and easy: The MCI factory doesn't exist. I was Senior Service Eng. for Tape Machines. Talking to me is like calling the factory. It's $200.00 for unlimited phone and E-mail (Skype for you Euro's) assist, from Jan. 1, to Jan. 1. Renewal after the first year is only $150.00. You'll pay a "tech" more than that to drive there one time. It'll take him a week to figure out what I can tell you in 30 sec.'s. Ask Larry, or Johnny B. Ask LADewd.

SS

[hinkasaurus]

Hi mcijh, I've sent you a pm.