Should I bother fixing my RTR?

[musicman]

I inherited a Sony TC-355 Reel to Reel that is in need of a major cleaning/servicing. I don't know if it's worth it to try and have it fixed or sell it for parts etc.? Can someone tell me about this unit and if it's worth the trouble to get it running again? Thanks

[Scorpion8]

I'd keep it if you can do any of the work yourself. It's a nice vintage deck, but are you into reel-to-reel, or would this be something that never gets used? Do you have a stock of tapes (both old and new to use)?

[musicman]

I'm not into RTR and never have been. I would try to fix it myself and clean it up and see if I like it. I don't have any tapes/reels and don't know if it's worth investing in. If I don't like it I would sell it and they don't bring much $ do they?

[Scorpion8]

Here's the best thing you can do, is (where are you located?) find somebody that has an operable reel-to-reel and go give it a listen/audition. Decide for yourself if the sound quality is worth having, or investing in. Reels on the auction place go for varying amounts depending on uniqueness, hype, condition, shipping costs, seller feedback and I really couldn't nor would want to venture a guess what a TC-355 might go for. You can go there and check the completed auctions for that model to give you some idea. Also, any repair costs you put into it you'll either eat if you decide you don't want the time/expense/investment (your auditoner above can help here) or must try to recoup at auction. Reel tape is NOT cheap these days if you've searched around online.

[musicman]

I think I'll do just that, thanks.