Scavenger Hunt

[Alex83tele]

I had an old Sony reel to reel tape recorder from the 70's I'd guess (model # tc-530 if I remember correctly) that I had used for decoration for years. The motor was burned out, tape head wasn't functioning, it was done for. Inside, it was only very dusty, and showed no sign of moisture or any other damage. The 1/4" jacks had some oxidation just from air and they were loose, but that was the only visible wear. I thought it was pretty cool to have Japanese made potentiometers that I can use on my next project. I found some cool diodes, transistors, and a pair of solenoids (I'm not sure what to do with those), but I'm not sure what to think of the capacitors. Two questions:

1. As long as there hasn't been any damage or misuse of the circuitry, can I expect the resistors and capacitors to be reliable?

2. Are there any other components I should be looking for in a piece of this age that could have some cool uses in an effect build?

I've added some photos just to give you an idea of the age. I realize now that they don't show much in the way of components. The last photo being the solenoid, obviously.




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[Kipper4]

Just beware the power section caps. I know from bitter experience they hold a good deal of charge.
It made my arm shake.
Somebody better than me could surely advise on mains electricity devices. I try to stick to strictly 9volts.
Happy and safe savaging.
Some restorers may pay good money for bits. I'd look at that avenue too.

[Alex83tele]

Just beware the power section caps. I know from bitter experience they hold a good deal of charge.
It made my arm shake.
Somebody better than me could surely advise on mains electricity devices. I try to stick to strictly 9volts.
Happy and safe savaging.
Some restorers may pay good money for bits. I'd look at that avenue too.

Good points. I myself stay on the lower voltage side. This thing has been unplugged for so long, I can't imagine it still holds a charge but I'll be careful. And I should check with some vintage electronic shops about possible restorers of old stereo equipment.


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[Hatredman]

... and a pair of solenoids (I'm not sure what to do with those)

Oh, c'mon!

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=76932.0

[duck_arse]

I think those are solenoid wound, but not solenoids as such, as they have no moving parts. they might well be bias oscillator coils due to the tuning slugs hanging out the top.

[no one wants to see the slug hanging out.]

[Alex83tele]

[no one wants to see the slug hanging out.]

Amen to that. I think you're right. Bias oscillator coils fit the bill. They certainly would have been in a reel to reel tape deck from this era. I imagine they operate at lower voltage, but I'm not sure.


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[Alex83tele]

Oh, c'mon!

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=76932.0

Now, now, I don't mean anyone any harm. I couldn't get the links to load, but it seems to me that what I've got isn't a solenoid at all. Just looked like one, but I got the gist of the jack white stuff, so now I know what to do if I find some.



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[Hatredman]

Read the post I linked. It's highly informative about big copper things, circuit boxes with burst switches, Kirk Hammett and hot naked chicks that play telecasters.

Enviado do olho da rua da amargura.

[PRR]

> I thought it was pretty cool to have Japanese made potentiometers

Back in the 1970s, we thought they were crap. (We maybe didn't know what crap was.)

That tape machine was cheap crap, but it started many careers.

The electrolytic caps (have a + or - mark) are past their use-by date.

The film caps, resistors, and transistors will be fine, if you get them out without cracking the seals. The speakers are quite good for LM386-scale power amplifiers.

I sure would not worry about stored charge. Being basically a pocket radio with a lot of added mechanisms, it is all low voltage.

[Alex83tele]

The film caps, resistors, and transistors will be fine, if you get them out without cracking the seals.

That's actually handy, because film caps are the harder ones to find locally. I always have to order them.

I guess I don't know that the pots are any better than the cheap ones made today. I knew that they weren't super special, since they were in a mass produced item intended for home use, so there really isn't a reason to believe they would be better.

The speakers are in very nice shape though.


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[Kipper4]

The speakers I used to make my noisy cricket came from an old sharps R2R.
If you come across one of my demos you will see they make great amps for testing pedals at bedroom level.

[Tony Forestiere]

Read the post I linked. It's highly informative about big copper things, circuit boxes with burst switches, Kirk Hammett and hot naked chicks that play telecasters.

**In his best "Gomer Pyle" voice*** For shame, for shame,  FOR SHAME"! 

[duck_arse]

because I'm going to say "I wonder what the inductance of those coils is - they might be the start of a theremin", I'm also allowed to say "nobody has posted to that thread for a while, people just mention it obliquely. I wonder why."

[Hatredman]

because I'm going to say "I wonder what the inductance of those coils is - they might be the start of a theremin", I'm also allowed to say "nobody has posted to that thread for a while, people just mention it obliquely. I wonder why."

Obliquely is sexier.

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[LightSoundGeometry]

i was in a work explosion doing construction in may of 2000..im scared to to drain electros and work on an amp until I see a qualified tech do it in person and I have at least a profession testing device like a fluke ..not my 12  dollar vicci. I think you a variac too..there are special tools these guys use to keep safe and always the one hand rule


lol

[armillary]

Own any microphones? The mic preamps in tape recorders have a following all their own. You may find the mic preamps (removed and used mostly intact) in your Sony add  an interesting lo-fi ambiance to your vocal or instrument mics. It's a hobby just like effects pedals, only different. Just a thought.   

[robthequiet]

Looks like it's in better shape than the RCA radio I saved from a barn. Has some germanium transistors, but otherwise nothing special. Same PCB traces as your tape deck.

[GibsonGM]

i was in a work explosion doing construction in may of 2000..im scared to to drain electros and work on an amp until I see a qualified tech do it in person and I have at least a profession testing device like a fluke ..not my 12  dollar vicci. I think you a variac too..there are special tools these guys use to keep safe and always the one hand rule

We need to get you an oil burner transformer   

[LightSoundGeometry]

i was in a work explosion doing construction in may of 2000..im scared to to drain electros and work on an amp until I see a qualified tech do it in person and I have at least a profession testing device like a fluke ..not my 12  dollar vicci. I think you a variac too..there are special tools these guys use to keep safe and always the one hand rule

We need to get you an oil burner transformer 

well if I go its either having sex or stuck to a tube amp power section 

[tubegeek]

well if I go its either having sex or stuck to a tube amp power section 

Aren't they the same thing? I must be doing it wrong....