CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[Nashou66]

How about a Pioneer reel to reel Model # RT-1011L

Nashou

[Curt Palme]

Nice solid deck, on par with say the Akai GX630. That's what I bought (and still have) new back in 1978 for $1000, with money I made repairing TVs.

REcently a couple were sold for $150 each on CL.

BTW, for any 10 1/2" deck, the NAB adapters go for stupid amounts of money on eBay, as they break and of course lots of people have thrown them out. So if the deck comes with working original NAB adapters, figure those are worth $75-100 just by themselves. Deck is worth $100-200 not serviced, $200-300 if a reputable tech has gone through it.

This is a really good deck. Zero issues with mine after 35 years:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKAI-GX-630D-vintage-reel-to-reel-tape-recorder-GREAT-SHAPE-/190785888998?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2c6bb9a2e6

[Curt Palme]

Nice solid deck, on par with say the Akai GX630. That's what I bought (and still have) new back in 1978 for $1000, with money I made repairing TVs.

REcently a couple were sold for $150 each on CL.

BTW, for any 10 1/2" deck, the NAB adapters go for stupid amounts of money on eBay, as they break and of course lots of people have thrown them out. So if the deck comes with working original NAB adapters, figure those are worth $75-100 just by themselves. Deck is worth $100-200 not serviced, $200-300 if a reputable tech has gone through it.

This is a really good deck. Zero issues with mine after 35 years:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKAI-GX-630D-vintage-reel-to-reel-tape-recorder-GREAT-SHAPE-/190785888998?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2c6bb9a2e6

[Nashou66]

Well I asked about the Pioneer because I put a bid on one for 130 as I was waiting for a response for you guys.I got busy for my lunch rush and didn't think id win but I did at 102.50!!! about 37 bucks shipped.

If it needs any work I know who to ask for help

Model # RT-1011L



Hope I didn't get hosed. I noticed after she has 1 rating

I don't think it comes with any reels. So what should I look to buy now for it?

And any links to manuals service or user would be great!!

Nashou

[Curt Palme]

Oh you bastage, you got the NAB hubs to boot! Have a can of Caig handy to clean the controls. Look on eBay for some 10 1/2" reels. Maxells go for a premium (tapes, that is) but they also don't seem to shed much. Read up on tape baking if they do.

Ampex and Sony backcoated tapes are TERRIBLE, avoid those. I managed to score about 8 10 1/2" reels, albeit plastic reels with old nonbackcoated tape for $.99 from Alberta. Shipping costs into the US were expensive, which is why no one bid on them. $20 to get them to me, and htey had a bunch of old punk music on them

There should be RTR tapes for sale as well on CL, and if you buy online, insist on Mediamail shipping. A lot of people forget that tapes count as media, and are 1/2 the price for ground shipping.

Here's a deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAXELL-UD-50-120-Metal-Reel-Sound-Recording-Tape-10-5-INCH-/251230405873?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a7e7fc4f1

[Curt Palme]

Oh you bastage, you got the NAB hubs to boot! Have a can of Caig handy to clean the controls. Look on eBay for some 10 1/2" reels. Maxells go for a premium (tapes, that is) but they also don't seem to shed much. Read up on tape baking if they do.

Ampex and Sony backcoated tapes are TERRIBLE, avoid those. I managed to score about 8 10 1/2" reels, albeit plastic reels with old nonbackcoated tape for $.99 from Alberta. Shipping costs into the US were expensive, which is why no one bid on them. $20 to get them to me, and htey had a bunch of old punk music on them

There should be RTR tapes for sale as well on CL, and if you buy online, insist on Mediamail shipping. A lot of people forget that tapes count as media, and are 1/2 the price for ground shipping.

Here's a deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAXELL-UD-50-120-Metal-Reel-Sound-Recording-Tape-10-5-INCH-/251230405873?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a7e7fc4f1

[Nashou66]

So I did good? I'm worried about the seller only have a 1 rating. I noticed when I came back to the computer and Won the auction.

But I guess some have to start at the bottom right?

Athanasios

[Curt Palme]

INsist on extra packing, and styrofoam over the reel tables is a good idea.

Seems like the seller is legit, Paypal will always protect you if not..

[Curt Palme]

INsist on extra packing, and styrofoam over the reel tables is a good idea.

Seems like the seller is legit, Paypal will always protect you if not..

[zaphod]

good score!!

definatley have them protect the reel tables. i know of some people who put styrofoam blocks over the spindles on the reel tables to help protect them.

[Nashou66]

[Curt Palme]

[Curt Palme]

[Nashou66]

I sent her a message to put foam on the Control side of the unit to protect the reel spindles. Waiting for a response before I pay.

Athanasios

[zaphod]

[Nashou66]

Once I get the Deck I think this will be my first purchase.

PINK FLOYD ATOM HEART MOTHER JAPAN REEL TO REEL TAPE OXA-5067 7 2/1IPS RARE 1970

Nashou

[Jeremy112]

Maxell tape is the best used tape you can get. Its what I have, and luckily I managed to get 15 brand new reels of it for free (with the A77). The A77 came with the Pioneer NAB hub adapters, I plan on getting the actual revox ones this summer.

Anyway back to tape, Maxell as I said is best because as Curt said, it does not shed, stick, etc... very reliable, and very expensive. IMO though it is the best sounding R2R tape you can get. Some Maxell UD XLII is the way to go if you are willing to spend over $150+ per tape used (new is anywhere from $50 to $100 more if you can find it).

Stay away from ampex, Sony, any off brand crap like realistic etc... just stick with Maxell or Quantegy (if you decide you would prefer new reel tape, quantegy is where its at). If you prefer the sound of tape when tape was at its apex, go with Maxell.

Nash, the RT-1011L is an excellent deck. Any 10 1/2" reel you can get for less than $250 is a good deck usually. Most 10" units have a good enough frequency response from the heads, and are usually direct drive motors for the reels & capstan.

I haven't heard a 1011L, but I am sure it sounds nice. My little sony suitcase Mono R2R I restored last summer sounded pretty impressive, right off the tape into the built in amp & speaker (Sony knew what the hell they were doing then )

Make sure you check those tape heads out when you get the unit, as well as any rubber on it (pinch rollers on some pioneer 10" units liquified or start to after these many years.)

[Jeremy112]

[Jeremy112]

[ecrabb]

[Curt Palme]

About $55-60 new or so. For some reason, a large high end A/V company decided back in 1980 to liquidate a messload of audio equipment. Being poor in Grade 11, but having that new GX630, they were selling Scotch Grand Master 10 1/2" tapes for $3.99 each. The catch was, it was one per person. They were selling a crapload of other audio stuff too at clearout pricing. I figured there was little interest in the RTR tapes. I was right.

So I went down with a fistful of $5.00 bills, and told everyone that was there that they could keep the change if they also bought me a Scotch tape. A bunch of people complied, and I walked out with 12 of them. Still have them too. Once I get up to speed on RTR stuff, I'll take some pix and will post. The sales guys were a combination amused and pissed at the same time, but according to their rules, they couldn't stop me from doing what I did. Still to this day I have no idea why they liquidated these tapes (and probably other stuff as well) at way below cost.

[Curt Palme]

About $55-60 new or so. For some reason, a large high end A/V company decided back in 1980 to liquidate a messload of audio equipment. Being poor in Grade 11, but having that new GX630, they were selling Scotch Grand Master 10 1/2" tapes for $3.99 each. The catch was, it was one per person. They were selling a crapload of other audio stuff too at clearout pricing. I figured there was little interest in the RTR tapes. I was right.

So I went down with a fistful of $5.00 bills, and told everyone that was there that they could keep the change if they also bought me a Scotch tape. A bunch of people complied, and I walked out with 12 of them. Still have them too. Once I get up to speed on RTR stuff, I'll take some pix and will post. The sales guys were a combination amused and pissed at the same time, but according to their rules, they couldn't stop me from doing what I did. Still to this day I have no idea why they liquidated these tapes (and probably other stuff as well) at way below cost.

[Curt Palme]

Oh and FWIW, I don't buy into the prerecorded RTR stuff, unless maybe it's rare 4 channel stuff. The tape quality is crap, although I've had a bunch of non rock stuff in over the years that I sold for a good price on ebay.

Also, non back coated tape doesn't typically shed like the back coated stuff. It's lower grade tape though, usually older (50-60s), and that's what was on the plastic reels I bought for $.99. I knew that ahead of time, but all played just fine.

[Curt Palme]

Oh and FWIW, I don't buy into the prerecorded RTR stuff, unless maybe it's rare 4 channel stuff. The tape quality is crap, although I've had a bunch of non rock stuff in over the years that I sold for a good price on ebay.

Also, non back coated tape doesn't typically shed like the back coated stuff. It's lower grade tape though, usually older (50-60s), and that's what was on the plastic reels I bought for $.99. I knew that ahead of time, but all played just fine.

[zaphod]

Yeah. Most of my tape is maxell. Could buy a box of 10 for 550 back in the early 1990's

Nash - you think tape costs will be high? Be glad you didn't get that 1/2" deck

There was a restaurant in NYC in the 60's maybe the 70's that was renowned for its jazz music as much as its food. He had a RTR setup and people would come in for a listen and a meal.

Since you have a restaurant....

[Nashou66]