Thanks for looking at my listing. I've been a huge portable audio addict for the last 3 decades and I would be more than happy to talk to you and help you find the player you really want, so please feel free to message me with any questions you have! i do have other units not yet listed.

So if you're seeing this auction and wondering why this player is priced so much higher than the other listings for similar units; allow me to explain:

Old cassette players and recorders have a lot of moving parts compared to cd or minidisc, and most are so old that they need belts... but that's just the start... 

BELTS: 

The old belts turn into the most horrible goop and it's time consuming and problematic to clean if the belt fails and winds around a cog... Usually takes 3-4 hours to clean all of this correctly without damaging the belt tracks and it permanently stains anything it touches...

Panasonics require the removal of 11-13 solder joints (aiwa 7-13) in order to remove the board to service the unit (see photo) 

Most Sony's don't require a soldering iron to do but you still have to remove electrical boards ribbon cables and make sure switches and relays are lined up correctly on reassembly or you can break the units. but several units DO require de-soldering of ribbon cables or power supply capacitors that sit in a way that requires removal to change the belt

Some units have as many as 3 belts

Capstans: (these oppose the pinch rollers to hold the tape steady for the heads)

Are the surfaces smooth? That's bad. They need to be rough to work right or have traction bands. 

Capstan bearings:

MUST be running smooth, Any oxidation will mess up the sound and they are not easy to replace if you can find the parts. 

HEADS:

Many used players have extensive head erosion from dust on the tape scratching the heads. 

If the seller doesn't show you a close up of the heads, then they aren't good. Period. 

CLUTCH:

Next after the heads and belts is the clutch. Not all tape players have a clutch. Not all clutches hold up. Panasonic clutch is a spring and plastic retainer that is known for cracking. 

Now, after the capstans, capstan bearings, heads, belts, & clutch is the 

Pinch rollers.

If these are old and dry or too smooth, again, bad sound.

Now that all of that is done and nothing has gone wrong with the mechanism, the direction control solenoid is functioning properly, all of the springs are correctly attached inside the mechanism, the board is correctly fitted back to the direction control switch... and you have it partially assembled...

You just have to adjust the playback speed, and you're done!

You just need a screwdriver, speed setting tape, frequency counter, and access to the unit's speed control potentiometer!

Got any questions? send me a message!