1970'S Pioneer Centrex TH-30 8 Track Stereo Tape Deck Player

Professionally serviced - New drive belt, demagnetized tape path & much more!

Watch the High Definition video and browse through 10 pics!

EXCELLENT CONDITION

 


This is what a professionally serviced 8 track tape deck sounds like.  Listen and enjoy!


Pioneer Centrex TH-30

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A quick word about your seller...

I think it's important you know a bit about me before I sell you a vintage tape deck.  I receive the highest rating eBay awards  its sellers.  I specialize in the service and restoration of the vintage 8 track tape decks I then sell here on eBay.  I've serviced and sold nearly 750 8 track decks here on eBay since 2011.  You can find them all on YouTube.  Just do a search for "DLMADWI."  They're all there.

I offer a 30 day warranty on every deck I sell.  That's virtually unheard of on eBay!  Nearly all of the other sellers on eBay do not offer a warranty of any length and other sellers don't even offer returns.  I do.  I don't behind the excuse the other sellers use, "it's old, it's vintage."  I believe in the servicing and restoration I do on these vintage decks and players and that's why you get a warranty!  Please review my feedback from previous sales.  Just click on "daveandjudi" and follow the link.  After you do, you'll know how much people enjoy finding an honest and trusted source for vintage electronics here on eBay.


 

Tech Service Summary

 

The TH-30 of the 1970's was Pioneer's player only version of the super popular selling RH-60 and RH-65.  If you don't have a reason to record 8 track tapes, then this player only model is exactly what you need!


When I acquired this unit it had a very popular problem with tape decks that haven't been used in a long time.  The program change mechanism was stuck in place and not working properly.  If you watched the video demo then you already know the problem has been fixed and the deck works perfectly today!


This unit underwent a complete mechanical and electrical analysis and professional servicing.  Circuit board components were inspected, tested and electronics were replaced as needed with better than original Panasonic and Nichicon parts.  The critical tape path components; track change sensor, play head and capstan were completely cleaned of decades worth of dirt and graphite tape debris.  A professional contact cleaner/conditioner was used on the electronics to optimize functionality.

 

One of the reasons sound fidelity is so nice is because of the condition of the play head.  You can see what it looks like today in picture #10.  The head on this deck is in excellent condition.  When the head looks this nice you get the outstanding sound fidelity you heard in the video demo.  If you're paying good money for a tape deck and the seller doesn't show you what condition the play/record head is in in a "serviced" deck, "let the buyer beware." 

 

The vital mechanisms with moving parts were carefully inspected, cleaned and brought back to factory performance standards.  This includes the program change mechanism, each of the switches and the potentiometers.  The program change mechanism was freshly lubricated as was the capstan motor.  I cleaned the motor spindle and flywheel of dirt and debris from a worn out drive belt and installed a brand new (not new old stock) drive belt that  is the correct size for this unit.  Overall, this is an exceptionally clean unit, inside and out.


Cross-talk and azimuth settings were adjusted to eliminate cross-talk and ensure optimal sound reproduction on both channels on properly maintained tapes.  What does properly maintained mean?  Please read the text in italics below!


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If you want to enjoy your 8 track listening experience to the fullest extent, please make sure your tapes are properly reconditioned BEFORE you play them in the deck you’re looking at in this listing!  If you don’t properly recondition your tapes, you’re not going to enjoy what you hear.

 

8 track tapes are very old!  They stopped making them between 1985 and 1990, so even the youngest ones are 30 years old! 

 

There are two parts that very likely need to be replaced.  The first is the pressure pad that holds the tape properly against the head as it passes by.  The second is the silver foil strip that holds the two ends of the tape together.

 

There are two types of pressure pads.  The best ones have two thin metal “arms” with flat felt pads on each end to hold the tape in place as it passes the head.  The second type, and the one used most often by manufacturers is a rectangular piece of foam with a piece of clear tape covering the surface.

 

I’ve found the first type to last longer than the second. Sometimes one or both of the felt pads will fall off and need replacing.  The second type of pressure pad is the one I’ve found most often to be the reason for a frustrating listening experience and high blood pressure!

 

Most of the foam pads have disintegrated!  Touch ‘em and they’ll crumble into tiny pieces.  Play a tape in this condition and you’re likely to hear “crosstalk,” – two songs at once.  Why?  Because the tape isn’t properly held against the head as it passes by.

 

You can replace either type of pressure pad yourself or you can pay someone to fix your tapes for you.  Search the internet and you’ll find lots of folks selling the parts/service you need.

 

You tape deck has a sensor built into the tape path.  When the silver foil strip on your tape passes it, your deck changes to the next program.  That silver foil strip holds the two ends of an 8 track tape together.  How? Glue!  Glue put on at the factory 30-50 years ago at the factory! 

 

Please, please, please don’t expect that glue to keep holding your tape together.  If you don’t replace the foil strip with a new one the original is going to fall apart when it passes the program change sensor.  Maybe not the next time, but it IS going to fall apart, and when it does, you are NOT going to be a happy camper!  Imagine if this happens when you’re playing a tape near and dear to your heart and/or of really high value.  You’ll find the silver tape you need to make new foil splices at the same places you found replacement pressure pads.

 

So what about tapes that are still in their original cellophane wrappers and have never been played?  Looks are deceiving!  They look new but they’re still 30-50 years old.  So just like new tapes, the pressure pad is in some degree of rot and the glue on the foil splice is ready to give way!

 

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The final step was to thoroughly demagnetize the tape path, (track change sensor, play head and capstan) to ensure the highest possible fidelity.

 

Remember, this tape deck is a stereo component and will need to be hooked up to a stereo receiver, amplifier or pre-amp and a set of speakers to be listened to and enjoyed.  The pictures and video demo are very important parts of this description.  Please review them.

 

 

Cosmetic Condition

Please take a real close look at all 10 pictures.  The faceplate has a bit of wear and tear as you can see.  The wood cabinet with veneer is very nice on all sides.  The worst blemish I could find is the little nick on the bottom right side of the cabinet.  Please review all of the pics and draw your own conclusions.

 

 

Pioneer Centrex TH-30 features

 

- Playback capability

- Program Indicator lamps (all four work)

- A quality vintage tape deck made in Japan

 

 

Professionally serviced, December 2018


- Brand new (not unused old stock) drive belt

- Mechanical tape path components (play head, capstan, program track change sensor) cleaned of dirt and tape debris, then demagnetized

- Program change mechanism disassembled, cleaned, and then relubed with professional grade electronic grease for years of trouble free use

- Switches/potentiometers cleaned and conditioned with DeOxit, a pro grade electronics cleaner to improve functionality

- Playback head height and azimuth recalibrated to prevent crosstalk on properly maintained tapes

- Flywheel and DC motor cleaned and lubed

 

 

Shipping

 

I take a lot of pride in the way I package these vintage tape decks.  I pack 'em exactly the same way I'd want to receive them...in a brand new, heavy duty shipping box with plenty of packing materials.

 

In the US I always ship via FedEx Ground. FedEx will not ship to P.O. Boxes so please make sure a real shipping address is available at check out.

 

Use the eBay shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.  Your cost is based on the distance between my zip code, 53719, and yours!  If you live in Canada or elsewhere I ship via US Postal Service International Priority Mail.

 

Since I receive the highest seller rating offered by eBay, I get a discount on shipping of nearly 20%.  This discount is automatically passed on to you at check out.

 

I ship within 24 hours of payment because that's the way a good business operates!

 

I do NOT charge handling fees or packaging fees or any other kind of fees.  Period!

 

I offer a 30-day refund on tape decks that don't arrive to you in the condition I've described them in.  In the unlikely event that happens, please email me directly through eBay as opposed to opening up a request for a return.  I have more flexibility to work with you this way.  Thank you very much.

 

I monitor my auctions closely.  That's good news for you.  It means I answer questions quickly, so don't hesitate to ask if something's on your mind.

 

Please note:  Any 8 track tapes, LP's, or other stereo components featured in my pictures or videos are not included in this listing, only the item described.

 

If you don't see the brand or model you're looking for in my current offerings, please send me an email.  Chances are I have it in stock and can offer it to you.

 

If you're wondering if I service tape decks that I do not sell, the answer is yes!  If you have a tape deck that needs servicing, please contact me through eBay for details.