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I'm looking for some advice regarding a 1970s vintage Beocord 1200 reel-to-reel tape deck. The problem is setting the back tension: it seems to be very difficult to get the sweet spot. This deck does not have any kind of automatic tension control adjustment, and relies on a pair of friction cord brakes, which pass around the hubs. Adjustment is done by pulling on the cord against a tension spring, and locking in place at the specified tension.
Setting the back tension too low results in poor head contact, high-frequency drop-off and tape flutter, especially at the beginning of a tape (when the left-hand reel is full). It can also make for poor winding on fast forward wind.
Setting the back tension too high results in serious wow at the end of a tape (when the left-hand reel is nearly empty), and also stalls the fast forward wind towards the end of the tape.
Getting the right setting seems to be very difficult, if not impossible. The design does not make any allowance for the variation in the effective torque of the brake during playback. Also, the adjustment method is crude, to say the least.
I was wondering if anybody with experience of these particular decks could give some advice.
Thanks
First of all, get a new set of belts from Martin (Dillen on the forum), then run all the mechanical adjustment according to the repair manual, the reel drives are sliding clutches and must be taken apart, cleaned and lubricated with the right grease or oil.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Thanks Soren. The belts seem to be OK, though I suppose they could have become stretched.