I did some searches and it seems like this guy really has a love/hate following.
I'm currently running an X-200D, so I think this one has got to be an improvement. I really like the black or charcoal version, but it seems to command about 4 times the dollars. Not worth it to me for cosmetics. Just wondering if there's any more love for the 4000. Any PM type tips?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9718589045&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Strawman,I had an Akai simalar to that for a few years.Trouble free deck that sounded decent.I kinda wish I hadn't sold mine......I wanted a deck that did 10" reels.Very nice score for the price!!!I think you will be happy with this guy.

I've thought about the "big guys", but can't really justify thr price difference.
It really won't see that much action.

Very well packed, the end board have a bit of mashing to them, but initial tests were favoarable, scratchy output pot, dust, dirt, not too bad. I tore into it and the belts looked good, cleaned with some rubber roller rejuvinator. I hit the internal capstans as well with R cubed, cleaned off the old grease, applied fresh and a few drops of Marvel mystery oil in the motor and other rotating parts. Cleaned and demagnetized the heads. I didn't think I got the De-oxit where it needed to go, but after reassembly I know I did. :banana: This is one smooth operating piece of gear. Can't get rid of some faceplate pitting, but, overall I'm very happy with it. Thanks again to Trawlerman. :thmbsp: And your input 68mopar dude! Check it out.

Nice. I have a GX-4000D. Works great, sounds great & easier to maintain than other units. Nice little workhorse. Looks pretty good too. Very trouble free listening. Enjoy :thmbsp:

Thanks Macaltec, I'm sure that I will :banana:

Strawman-
Do you have the 7-1/2" IPS sleeve that goes over the capstan to get the faster speed? I believe there is storage for it under the head cover.

magoo

The 4000D is a very nice deck.
Enjoy!

Ron

Strawman-
Do you have the 7-1/2" IPS sleeve that goes over the capstan to get the faster speed? I believe there is storage for it under the head cover.

magoo
Yes, mine came installed on the spindle. I have to go back in in today, in my rush, i forgot to put the meter bezel back on. :bash:

Great! You got one heck of a deal there. I have an Akai 4000DS, and been wanting to upgrade to the GX heads with the GX-4000D. I've got so many tape decks now, and not been spending much time perusing Ebay. I think I could sell 5 if I had time to put them on. I certainly don't want to add another without selling one. Maybe someday.

tapehead

Are they interchangable? Just a swap an go? I assume some sort of allignment will be needed. But the biasing and everything else is the same?

I have the 4000DS and love the sound and simplicity. I just need to fix a recording issue with mine for it to be perfect.
Yours looks quite nice. Should be able to enjoy it free of maint for many years.

Are they interchangable? Just a swap an go? I assume some sort of allignment will be needed. But the biasing and everything else is the same?

The heads are possibly interchangeable - I don't know. My plan to would be to buy a GX-4000D and sell my 4000DS. That's what I meant.

tapehead

Can someone post a pic of the speed adapter while in its storage place under the cover??? Found what appears to be the part you guys are describing but it lacks a bit fitting on the capstan. Just wanna be sure I'm looking at the right parts.

Not sure if mine is similar mac, but it resides on a little shaft just above the head cover and a small thumbscrew holds it in place. remove the thumbscrew and slide off the adapter.
Don't have a cam handy ATM sorry.

I'll take a pic when I get home. It looks like it wouldn't be that hard to make a replacement if needed. It's essentially a tube and a nut. :scratch2:

I'll post a pic of mine later tonight. I'm sure that is what I've found. I would never have known if I hadn't read about it here.

I hope you have abetter camera than mine :D Look at the 3 posts above the left VU meter next to the tape guide. The first pic shows in installed on the middle of the posts, the 2nd it's sitting on the head cover.

Some 25 years ago I had a Akai-1722, it looks pretty simmilar. At least the mechanics are the same. It was in a case with a 2*5W amp and integrated spekers. It did good work for me until I upgraded to a Teac X-10.

that was my 1st open reel deck. Worked great for years. then the right channel went out on it and sold on e-pray for $30....probably should have held on to it and got it repaired. I ended up replacing it with a used Pioneer RT-707

The 707 is a nice deck, that's what I wanted, that, or the 909 but the prices are sky high. Got this for $40.00 I'm pretty happy. Maybe someday.... :D

The 707 is a nice deck, that's what I wanted, that, or the 909 but the prices are sky high. Got this for $40.00 I'm pretty happy. Maybe someday.... :D
:deal:

Rich P

Quit teasing me Rich, or i'll tell :D

It appears that my camera is not much better than yours. Here are the pics anyway.

It appears that my camera is not much better than yours. Here are the pics anyway.
Back away till you can get good focus. Then, snap your shot at very high resolution and zoom in with your graphics editing software. You will get real nice close-ups...

Rich P

I was happy that I learned how to turn the flash off, so don't get all technical on us Rich. :D You're pics are fine Mac. :thmbsp:

Can someone post a pic of the speed adapter while in its storage place under the cover??? Found what appears to be the part you guys are describing but it lacks a bit fitting on the capstan. Just wanna be sure I'm looking at the right parts.

macaltech-
I don't have the GX-4000, but the 4000 sleeve is stored beside the head cover with the thumbscrew. If you have the sleeve "in hand", then you found it. Take some lighter fluid, or other solvent and really give that capstan shaft a good cleaning (stay clear of rubber). Wipe off any excess solvent. The sleeve should go on. For the 4000, the thumbscrew holds the sleeve in place when installed on the c. shaft. I don't know about the GX-4000, other than the sleeve is stored under the head cover.

tapehead

I did some searches and it seems like this guy really has a love/hate following.
I'm currently running an X-200D, so I think this one has got to be an improvement. I really like the black or charcoal version, but it seems to command about 4 times the dollars. Not worth it to me for cosmetics. Just wondering if there's any more love for the 4000. Any PM type tips?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9718589045&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

I have the same one works great! You will like the sound quality. :thmbsp:

John. :music:

So far i'm very happy with the few pre recorder tapes I have, the real test will be to record on it from some LP's.

I scored a 4000D at a garage sale yesterday for $10.00. :banana: It's a little dirty but the seller said that it worked so I thought that I couldn't loose too much. I brought it home along with a Sansui SR212 turntable that I found for $5.00. I remembered that I had a shoebox with some old RtoR tapes from the early 70s stored in the basement. When I took the box down there was a shopping bag with about 20 tapes right behind it. I spent most of the rest of the afternoon and evening listening to those old tapes that I recorded back in the olden days. :banana: Just couldn't get the :D off my face. My wife thought I was up to something.

I must have liked Iron Butterfly. I had at least three tapes of the album with Innagaddadavida (sp?) on it. Innagaddadavida is one thing, the rest of the album is a bit of a stretch. The first time listening to the tape was interesting, then it got pretty hard to listen to. Also found some great old stuff that I had recorded. Some very early Moog synthesiser stuff, BS&T, Chicago, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and a whole lot more yet to play. :banana:

The 4000 is great. I haven't had a RtoR since the early 70s. I think that it is amazing just how good those old tapes still sound, audio quality wise, that is. For a piece of electro-mechanical gear as old as the 4000 is to still be in working condition after all these years is quite a testament to the manufacturer. Now it's time to give it a thorough cleaning and lube inside and out.