I picked one up today. Cool looking casette player. One problem though, the fast forward button will not move. Not a bit. Anybody have any knowledge about these things?

3+ years later, here is the 2nd post to this thread - hold on to your hats.

I picked up one of these today. it was filthy but cleaned up well. VERY cool looking, thick glass over the cassette and meters. I paid $5 at the SA thrift. i think it needs a belt. Everything inside seems to kick into action fine but the wide belt is stretched out.

Does anyone know of a good source for replacement tape deck belts?

...and a photo

and as a super-bonus, the copy of "true blue" came with the deck.

I've got one. VERY nice deck. I'm sure you can find a belt somewhere on the net, just start googling. Mine hasn't needed a new belt yet. The 'record' switch on the circuit board is prone to becoming dirty, so de-oxit that well.

Also see my post inquiring on how to use the Accu-Bias.

i had a feeling it was nice. i originally passed on it, then decided for $5 I'd take a shot if it was still on the shelf come Saturday & clearly it was.

There's a big electronics store nearby so I'll probably try to pick a belt up there this week. If I'm not mistaken it's a 7.5" flat belt. I'm trying to find that out from more than one source (after a debacle trying to find a flat belt for my TT) but hopefully i can find it locally and get it going.

If I can manage to find some literature on the deck I'll post it here as well, and of course if anyone has this info lying around it'd be greatly appreciated!

the 7.5" flat belt was pretty stretched out, so i hope its replacement really is that size. I ordered it from the site below; the local electronics hut didn't have it.

The only place I could find was http://www.turntableneedles.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=24652 and they have all 3 belts, listed specifically for this model. I should have it next week - it was $5.95 with free 1st class shipping.

I got the belt two days ago. very fast shipping. I installed it tonight (first time, thank you) and the deck plays.

However, it only plays for about 5 seconds and stops. it ended up eating the copy of "true blue" that came with the deck. :nono: that hurt, but I'm over it now.

the tape wound up and broke on the rubber roller at the bottom right underneath the cassette. I'm new to the whole tape deck repair biz, but I'm assuming these are the pinch rollers? Can I condition these with something or are they just shot? what do i have to do to replace them, and where can i get them?

help, please!

That would indicate that your take up reel (on the right) isn't doing it's job. The roller IS doing it's job, or rather the capstan, that metal needle that rests against the roller, is doing it's job. It's moving the tape at the prescribed speed. However, it's bunching up and getting 'eaten' because your take up reel is not doing the job.

I have one of these decks. I'm not wild about the idea of taking it apart but if you need help, I'll yank it out of it's rack and have a look. I'd highly expect that there's more than just the drive belt inside, as often the takeup reel is driven by a smaller belt.

If this is the case, and you don't have that belt, you can substitute a rubber band or a wife/girlfriends' hair thingy (I did that on a JVC). The main drive belt is the critical one, as it controls the capstan and, therefore, tape speed. The takeup reel just has to...take up, or run faster than the capstan, making sure there's no slack to get 'eaten'.

That would indicate that your take up reel (on the right) isn't doing it's job. The roller IS doing it's job, or rather the capstan, that metal needle that rests against the roller, is doing it's job. It's moving the tape at the prescribed speed. However, it's bunching up and getting 'eaten' because your take up reel is not doing the job.

I have one of these decks. I'm not wild about the idea of taking it apart but if you need help, I'll yank it out of it's rack and have a look. I'd highly expect that there's more than just the drive belt inside, as often the takeup reel is driven by a smaller belt.

If this is the case, and you don't have that belt, you can substitute a rubber band or a wife/girlfriends' hair thingy (I did that on a JVC). The main drive belt is the critical one, as it controls the capstan and, therefore, tape speed. The takeup reel just has to...take up, or run faster than the capstan, making sure there's no slack to get 'eaten'.

This is great - thanks for responding. :thmbsp: There are two other belts - before I ordered the flat belt, i checked the others and i thought they seemed alright (like I'd know, anyway) but I noticed last night they seemed a little loose. They're still turning, but perhaps with not enough tension.

I appreciate your offer to open yours up, but let me get all new belts in first - I have a feeling that might do the trick. I'll report back when i get 'em in.

If they are all flat belts, you can go to Studio Sound on the 'Net and get a "most popular" sized kit of like 10 belts for $12. You can pick and choose through the set to get what you need. All tape deck belts that I know of are in metric sizes. So whatever you measure for size will be to big on these old stretched and dried out belts. Pick the next size smaller by a few mm. SO lets say you measure 144mm. It's likely that a 140mm is the correct size. If you make them too tight, they overload the plastic bearings and bind-up. If they are just as loose and the ones that are slipping, they will to.

If they are all flat belts, you can go to Studio Sound on the 'Net and get a "most popular" sized kit of like 10 belts for $12. You can pick and choose through the set to get what you need. All tape deck belts that I know of are in metric sizes. So whatever you measure for size will be to big on these old stretched and dried out belts. Pick the next size smaller by a few mm. SO lets say you measure 144mm. It's likely that a 140mm is the correct size. If you make them too tight, they overload the plastic bearings and bind-up. If they are just as loose and the ones that are slipping, they will to.

Great - thanks for the info. I'll remember that link. I want to order some backup belts for other things pretty soon.

I ordered the only flat belt for the Onkyo from this site:

http://www.turntableneedles.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=24652

I took their word because like you said, the old flat belt was stretched out and barely recognizable, so i had no way to measure it. the new one fits well so I'm going on faith that they know the sizes of the other belts, too.

well one 8.2 square inch square belt for the takeup reel as Sansui Louie suggested was the problem, and I have myself a super schweet cassette deck that works a-ok. not bad for $17.90 total.

thanks everyone for your help. I'm not a real tape guy, but if anyone comes across one of these, grab it up.

I have one that I bought new, but stopped using since it started eating tape years ago. Fortunately, I refused by wife's demands that i throw it out (my pair of original Advent Utilities were not as lucky); based on the info on this thread, I think I shall try to fix it.

I have one that I bought new, but stopped using since it started eating tape years ago. Fortunately, I refused by wife's demands that i throw it out (my pair of original Advent Utilities were not as lucky); based on the info on this thread, I think I shall try to fix it.

i expected the worst with it being a thrift find, but the belts were all it took to get it up and running again. turntableneedles.com had the right belts and their free 1st class shipping is crazy fast. let us know how you make out!

you all are bringing me to tears. I bought one of those new and really loved it. A few years ago it wouldn't open so it went to the curb. It was about the same time I was "upgrading" my stereo to all brand new surround sound gear. It took me a while to realize the 30 year old stuff I had sounded better. Now all the new stuff is used for the TV, games, and DVD player. I listen to music with my old stereo and have added some speakers and better tt.

you all are bringing me to tears. I bought one of those new and really loved it. A few years ago it wouldn't open so it went to the curb. It was about the same time I was "upgrading" my stereo to all brand new surround sound gear. It took me a while to realize the 30 year old stuff I had sounded better. Now all the new stuff is used for the TV, games, and DVD player. I listen to music with my old stereo and have added some speakers and better tt.

That is definitely a drag. however, part of the fun in this hobby for me is hunting for the gear. They're out there, search for another one! If memory serves, they don't sell for very much when they pop up on ebay. If you end up with another one, let us know. :yes:

When they get stuck, it's likely the main power belt slipping and it can't generate enough torque to cam action through to retract the heads and cycle to "door open" state. Usually, just changing all the belts will restor 75% of the decks out there. The 20% will need idler tires too? The next 4% will need pinch rollers. The last 1% will need actual electronic work or a motor. :)

Okay... i'm really enjoying this deck. however... it seems to play the tapes a bit quicker than normal. it's more noticeable on some songs than on others. there's no pitch control to make minor adjustments, so... am i nuts?

could there be a little too much tension on the flat belt?

what to do?

That is definitely a drag. however, part of the fun in this hobby for me is hunting for the gear. They're out there, search for another one! If memory serves, they don't sell for very much when they pop up on ebay. If you end up with another one, let us know. :yes:

Hot Dog!!!! :banana:
Got me another one for $20. Just got off the phone with the guy, military man, they usually take care of stuff. pics look great. It has been on CL for a week and I am the only one who responded so it looks like a done deal.
can't wait to break out all my old tapes.:music:

awesome - congrats!