Wonderful Wollensak 3500 Vintage Tape Recorder

[whereismypistol]

I recently acquired one of these machines from my grandfather a few months ago; it had been sitting up in his attic for 40+ years. Cosmetically, it's in great condition, however, the feed table does not spin when I rewind and the take-up table does not spin when I fast-forward. On playback & record the take-up table spins erratically, as if it's slipping. Is this an indicator of a bad drive belt? I'm very glad that you made this video by the way, it's very informative!

[clydesight]

@whereismypistol HI, Thanks for your comment. The rewind is done by idler drive, but the fast forward is managed by the belt. Usually the belt is stretched The only way to know is to open the machine and observe the insides. You need to check why the rewind idler is not transferring motion to the feed table in rewind. Also check the belt for looseness. You'll never be able to tell anything for sure until you get inside the machine. Sorry.

[whereismypistol]

@clydesight

I got the front panel off. I was able to fix the rewind issue and got the take-up table to spin consistently on playback. But when the top idler pushes down on the rubber wheel to fast-forward, everything freezes up except the motor shaft. If I lift up the top idler off the rubber wheel just slightly (still making contact) everything spins. The belt is definitely loose, and it has a kink in it. How should I go about replacing that?

[clydesight]

@whereismypistol Send me a PM that I can respond to. I can give you a link to a supplier that sells replacement belts for this machine. That should fix it.

[thatmuse76]

I used to have one of those. I bought mine as a kid (maybe around 9 years old) from a thrift for $5. That was around 1985 or so if I remember correctly and those portable reel to reels filled the thrifts back then.

[clydesight]

@thatmuse76

Thanks for your comment! By 1985, R2R was fading fast.

[thatmuse76]

@clydesight

Certainly is was completely gone as a "portable" medium. I found it a really cool novelty when I was a kid and rarely found myself without a reel to reel since. Of course I graduated to 4-track stereo machines, but still have a Sony TC-800B waiting in the wings for a restoration and service.

[clydesight]

@thatmuse76

The big stereo tape decks held on for a good long time, but as you said, the portable versions died quickly thanks to cassettes.

Then the CD tried to do in the cassette.

But cassettes are still around, and big R2Rs are available as specialty items. Magnetic tape recording is still very useful for certain needs. If you look carefully, you'll be amazed how many times you see a cassette machine used as a movie prop!

[vieuxson]

comme d habitude video tres detaillee how many decks do you have ,,?

[clydesight]

Ummm, Bable Fish translated ther 1st part of your comment as: like D very detailed video practice which I assume means you liked the Video. Thanks!

I have MANY tape recorders, all but four bought for the cheap on E-Bay, most of them busted and then repaired, and some so far gone, they can't ever be restored. (ruined motor, petrified rubber, etc.)

[coolbluelights]

Very nice sounding unit! I wonder if there is a way to renew or replace the motors in these things, I have taken a few apart and lubricated them, but it's almost impossible to find a replacement motor.

[clydesight]

Thanks. Motors are always a problem in these old machines. Many used in internal electromechanical governor that can go out of adjustment, and it is very difficult to re-adjust. Usually, the lube is not so much a problem as the brushes and commutator sleeve. Some electronic surplus places have replacement cassette motors, but these older R2R motors are not so easy to find.

[thecrystalcauldron]

A n enjoyable video and this machine has a great sound - I see it is Sponsored by: Abundance Genie DSPP Subliminal Messages Self Help Program. - I am lucky enough to have this programme and it's fantastic - Well done

[clydesight]

Thanks for the nice comment and I am glad you are enjoying Abundance Genie!

[ffeku]

Nice vintage machine!

Just curious as to the appx. weight of the

3500?

As always Clydesight--Great tunes as well!

[clydesight]

Thanks! Not sure of the weight, but I am guessing around 10+ lbs. The case front has some serious chrome plated steel around the speaker grill that adds a significant amount of weight to the machine. The actual transport isn't that heavy. But then stick in 6 D batteries and the weight increases.

[CassetteMaster]

Very nice recorder! The quality is nice, and it's always good to have an auto-level control on a portable reel-to-reel. The transport mechanics are the same as an RCA reel-to-reel I have, but.. that machine I will never be able to use, it is gone for good:(. It's power input was for 9 volt, but used the same kind of cable that a 120 volt uses. I had assumed 120 volt, and fried the machine at my first attempt to test. Well, I hope to find another of that one someday...

[clydesight]

Thanks. I find the RCAs from time to time on E-Bay, but I always get outbid. Too bad your machine got blown out. I wonder if the amp is the same also? Sometimes, the same machine would have different amps (i.e. GE models that look identical)

[CassetteMaster]

Luckily today I found a very similar machine, but in really rough shape (dirty, beat up/scratched up, no battery cover or head cover, and the speaker sounds bad sometimes). I did get it to be working, but it sometimes records really distorted, and sometimes records OK, but kinda clipped sounding. Hopefully resoldering and recapping might make it sound proper and play louder. It uses the same circuitry and mechanics as you Wollensak. Although mines speed is by a capstan sleeve.

[clydesight]

Is it a Wollensak, or another brand? Will you make a video?

[CassetteMaster]

I'll make a vid sometime. It's a Channel Master, and of course, manufactured by Sanyo.

[DrCassette]

That's a really nice reel-to-reel and another great video! I have never seen that capstan/pinch roller style before, very interesting.

[clydesight]

Thanks, glad you liked the video! The imagination of the tape recorder engineers at the time was at their peak, and they came up with many clever (if not always successful) ideas!

[oviwolf]

NICE Wollensak reeler! It really looks good on the inside,and on the outside,and sounds GREAT! The idea of the pinchroller is kind of unique in tape recorder world,only a few machines had this kind of pinchroller position.

Super presentation,neat video!

[clydesight]

Thanks! Yes, very few machines used this type of capstan and pinch roller arrangement. I've seen an RCA unit almost identical to the Wollensak on E-Bay but it is a white case with a a sloping front panel, kind of pretty. Didn't win it at auction though (deep sigh).

[vieuxson]

very nice recorder , wollensak made beautifull machinesd like to find high end machines on flea markets this year if the luck is with me thank s for posting

[clydesight]

Thanks. It is nice to find a good quality machine. This one was only sold for about 2 years and then Wollensak moved to cassette portable units.

[ForgetfulCollector]

Stellar as usual! If I got one of those I'd be beside myself because that is the kind of portable reel to reel that sounds as good as it looks. Very good presentation.

[clydesight]

Thanks, this is a nice machine. I feel bad about the motor being so noisy and I'm concerned that it has not got much life left in it.l It would be a tough one to find a replacement for. But, as you say, the sound is the thing, and Wollensak was well known for quality sound!

[Vinylrecordsneverdie]

Neat Wolly recorder and I love those reel tables because of the chrome rings just like on a turntable.

[clydesight]

Thanks. I like fancy reel tables too. Imagine if they could light up and shine through the plastic reels!