Any good Space Echo techs in NYC?

penelec · Post by **penelec** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:00 am

Urgh. My RE-201 stopped echoing. It still makes the "motor is running" sound, but the pinch roller just sits there, pulling no tape.

Before I open it up, anyone know a good Space Echo repair shop in or around New York City?

Anyone ever use Ears Repairs and can reassure me that they aren't some boutiquey Rich Boy deal?

Anyone have a similar issue and know how it gits solved?

Thanks for any and all help. I miss the echo.

ckeene · Post by **ckeene** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:35 am

Is it because the tape is sticking on the tape heads perhaps? Might just be time for a cleaning and a new tape loop.

Hope that's not insultingly obvious, but thaqt happens to me a lot with Space Echos

penelec · Post by **penelec** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:58 am

Yeah, I checked all the usual culprits. The tape moves freely by hand, heads are clean, pinch roller's clean... I dunno.

inverseroom · Post by **inverseroom** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:24 am

That was happening to me until I realized that the pinch roller was all worn down and shiny...years of tape had made a very shallow trench in it, and it wasn't grabbing the tape anymore. I sent it to Terry's Rubber Rollers to be re-rubbered, and now it works perfectly. You might pop it out and give it a good close look...I think it only cost $35!

penelec · Post by **penelec** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:42 am

JR--

That was my first thought (er, second, after "how much echo do I really need anyhow?"). But when I put the thing in gear, it makes the typical motor sound, but the roller just sits there. It might be slipping on its axle I suppose, but there's no torque on the roller itself, so no slippage 'tween rubber and tape. Grrr. I was hoping it was just the pinch roller, but now I gotta dig a little deeper.

Thanks though -- my reel-to-reel might need some rerubbering soon. Somehow it seems the cataclysmic weather we've been having (are having?) here has made all my rubber tacky, even with a dehumidifier cranking.

--Chan

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:09 am

does the pinch roller actually pull the tape in there?

I thought that was the capstan..

is the capstan spinning?

inverseroom · Post by **inverseroom** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:38 am

Yeah, I think it's the capstan that's supposed to be spinning.

??????? · Post by **???????** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:23 pm

If the capstan isn't spinning, try giving it a lil twist to see if you can "jump-start" it. If so, the motor just might be showing its age... I have to give my tube echoplex a lil "helping hand" once in a while.

I'm not as familiar with the space echo as I am with the echoplex, but is there a drive belt in the space echo, or is it direct drive? I had a belt break in my plex once and as you can imagine.... motor runny-runny but capstan no spinny-spinny.

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:06 pm

I may have a service manual for the 201 if you need it..

penelec · Post by **penelec** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:20 pm

brad347 wrote:If the capstan isn't spinning, try giving it a lil twist to see if you can "jump-start" it.

Brad, you are the man. It is now functional, and mebbe in need of an eventual tune up.

Thanks all.

??????? · Post by **???????** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:55 pm

glad to help man. These old echos are finicky beasts but WORTH IT!

mixalot · Post by **mixalot** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:27 pm

matt wells the tech at magic shop is awesome with this sort of gear.

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Any good Space Echo techs in NYC?

Any good Space Echo techs in NYC?

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