Info On Fostex E-16 16-Channel 1/2" Recorder?

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 2:04 pm

After five long months of agonizing run-around and phone tag, the tech has finally finished adjusting the fastforward/rewind on my recorder. He told me at one point that one channel was recording at 75%, now he tells me three channels are recording at 50%. He said this is due to the tape head being worn out and he can't get the part. Does anyone know how I can fix or replace this? I want to record SO BADLY!!!

I've already tried to contact JRF Magnetic Sciences a couple of times, but I haven't gotten a response. I can't find a service manual on this thing nor do I have any idea what part I'm really looking for. Can anyone help me?

P.S.
I'm starting to get really pissed off at the guy who sold me this thing.

Nick Franklin · Post by **Nick Franklin** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:22 pm

I'm sorry to hear this. Tape heads are ever harder to find, so I feel for you.

Try looking through this list: http://www.openreel.net/parts_2.html

EDIT: Just looked again, they don't do heads for fostex machines.

I'm not sure if they've got heads for your machine but have a look.

If nothing else you've learned the two golden rules of buying an old tape machine.

1. Are the heads OK? (Check for wear)
2. Does it have a service manual? (or if it doesn't have one, can I get one?)

These guys sell the service manual... but for $60!??!!
http://www.musicparts.com/products.asp?Company=Fostex

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:59 pm

Yeah. The great thing is that I'm so poor it took me years to get this recording rig... Then it spent half a year in the shop, and I'll probably not be able to afford another recorder. This sucks.

Banana Crotchbuckle · Post by **Banana Crotchbuckle** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:05 pm

I had an 8 track i was really excited about, due to its cheap asking price and size.
After eight months of looking in vain for parts, I made it go away.
You'd have better luck looking for truffles or leprechauns than finding Fostex parts.

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:21 pm

Jeezus. I'm really depressed now. All I've wanted to do my whole life is record music, and I've been obsessed with getting this rig working for 2 years. Why doesn't shit ever let up?!??!?!?!

snatchman · Post by **snatchman** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:27 pm

Did you check out the guy selling an E-16 in the FS Forums..? Good luck..

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:33 pm

Thanks for letting me know about that. I'm usually broke, so I've never even been to that part of the forum. My curiosity is piqued.

getreel · Post by **getreel** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 6:49 am

That's too bad, man., I had an E-16 and it sounded really good. I actually had 2 of them, with the spare for parts. If you could locate a parts machine, that could be a way to go. I still love the sound of analog tape but I gave it up back in 2008 for digital.

It's just so expensive to keep tape machines going especially now with them not being as common. Prices for repairs are higher, etc. Most digital systems don't have moving parts or parts that wear out. Except I guess, hard drives, but those are cheap and abundant.

nag hammadi · Post by **nag hammadi** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:31 pm

hey man. i see you are in nashville.

who is working on your machine?

i have the service manual, and i would GLADLY copy it for you, but it is kinda blurry, and i don't think it would transfer well.

i am in birmingham, and i am the guy you were talking to earlier about my e16.

you would be welcome to make the drive down and check out my machine if you like.

and of course jot down anything you want from the service manual. $60.00 ?!?!

jeepers.

nag hammadi · Post by **nag hammadi** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:20 pm

here is the owner's manual just in case you didn't have it.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/18941668/Manual-Fostex-E16

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:38 pm

I have the Owner's Manual, but not the one that tells me how to work on it or replace parts or anything. The "Specifications" in the Owner's Manual is sort of vague on some things. I quote:

Head: 2 Heads (Erase, Rec/Play)

Great. That helps a lot.

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:45 pm

Yeah, I'm in Nashville and I don't necessarily want to name who has my machine, because I'll have an urge to relate my horror story and as far as I can tell they have no competition and I may have to go back to them in the future. It's done now, I just haven't had an off day to pick it up. I mean, done except 3 channels don't work right!!! I guess I could work around it, but I bought a 16 track machine on purpose because I do a lot of "Wall of Sound" type of stuff. I don't know of anybody else in town who does this for the average joe with a recorder. Everybody does business with the big studios from what I can tell; although I haven't been in town that long and don't know many people to steer me in the right direction.

You're in Birmingham? I'm originally from Muscle Shoals; I've spent a lot of time in Birmingham in the past, though not for several years now.

Being that I'm a newb on this tape machine stuff, what is "relapping" the head. I think that's the right term. Is this something relevant to my problem? Thanks.

ThePaloverdeBeetle · Post by **ThePaloverdeBeetle** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:16 pm

More or less "sanding it down" (but in a much more precise way) to improve tape to head contact. You can't keep on doing it, there won't be any head left. A good tech should be able to tell you if it's possible or not on your head.

AnalogousGumdropDecoder · Post by **AnalogousGumdropDecoder** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:06 pm

Yeah... A GOOD tech would probably be able to tell me something like that.

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Info On Fostex E-16 16-Channel 1/2" Recorder?

Info On Fostex E-16 16-Channel 1/2" Recorder?

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