CT-F1250 Bailout!

[Bandwidth]

Got my "Xmas" gift today - a very clean CT-F1250. Showed up double-boxed and was packed in its original carton!

I gave it an external clean - didn't really need it. Heads also clean. Gave the RCA jacks a bit of De-oxit.

Plugged in. All the lights and transport functions o.k. Various switches, NR, Bias, EQ, counter, pitch, etc. good.

Plugged into system. Tapes play like a warbling sparrow in heat! Ghastly!! I immediately switched in the K-373 for sonic sanity while I pondered my beautiful but ill new deck.

Transport functions appear to be nominal: play/FF/RW. Winds to end each way without slowdown.

So?? Best guess anybody? Is this a "quick fix?" Pinch rollers? Looks like a slight glazing but doesn't appear too slick. But I've heard these are very sensitive in this area.

I'm sure that plenty of peeps have had this issue on these machines. Turning to my fellow TH Pioneer silver deck bros. for any assistance. Thanks in advance....

[tapetech]

Irregular/unsteady takeup torque can cause high wow/flutter. That could be caused by a defect reel drive idler tire. Just a guess, however. Many different things can cause high wow/flutter. Other possibilities: defect pinch rollers (get them re-rubbered), defect belts, low quality belts (that someone installed), low pinch roller pressure, worn capstan bearings.

[Warped Bezel]

Open it up and observe with a junk tape I suspect improperly sized takeup belt, bad capstan belt etc (I have little clue what's in one from memory) or a maldjusted motor Watch it from the outside, report what you see and go in.

Either we have that manual or hifiengine.com does FOR SURE. Gdt yourself a PDF of it, it will really help. See the Njord Noatun banner at the bottom of the page, hifiengine requires registration and see elektrotanya.com also.

EDIT: Oh hey, it's Bandwidth! You know that.

[vidguy]

I had a few issues with my CT-F1250, including W/F problems.
Try a new idler/reel belts, idler tire assembly.
Remove the capstans (tricky, as they are both integrated DD motor/shaft assemblies) Clean, lube
De-ox the speed control pot, it might cause issues
Clean, lube the pinch roller arms, poor tension will cause problems (including tape skew)
Take the time and rebuild the reel tables, mine really needed it.
As has been mentioned, take up torque and back tension are key.

There is an excellent DIY thread on AK.

CT-F900/950 are good parts deck, transports are near-identical. (except for the capstans)

I sold mine in the end, as pretty as it was, I found the overall sound "average".

'course, I did not do a full calibration, just cleaned up the transport.

[Bandwidth]

Thanks, guys! I had hoped that this deck would be plug and play - as both my RTR's obtained this year were (707/909). I guess you have to get a foul ball once in awhile...

Looks like Alvin and the Chipmunks Xmas tunes will be playing on a different deck on Sunday!!!

Happy Holidays!

[Elite-ist]

Hi Jim,

Too bad it's going to need work. But at the same time, it will be nice to have it serviced with new parts, lube, and calibration to assure it's the way it should be. And it will look and sound as you expected with your other Pioneer silver-faced decks.

Nando.

[Warped Bezel]

Shoot, I saw a 900 that I know needs some kind of work and it's so far going to go for ninety-nine cents in under five days much less a Rollfast speedometer needing cleanup for 21 in 3 hours.

Eventually I'll get my speedo :)

[Bandwidth]

I finally sat down and looked this deck over under the lights. Heads looked good. Rollers a slight glaze but didn't seem too bad - I gave them a dose of naptha nonetheless...

I popped off the cover (I always hold my breath the first time I do this!). Nice and clean. Very little dust and nothing weird which means that this was never a garage queen!

I didn't have to poke around too long. Guess it's a bit much to expect low w/f when only the take up capstan is running!

There was the belt to the supply side pulley.... Yes. Broken. And GOOOOEEEEYYY!!!

I almost felt good about this. I've read from so many that a belt(s) were gooey.

Every deck I've popped open until now had good belts or stretched belts. But never gooey belts!!

I have arrived!

O.k. New belt time. A perfect freezing cold day project!

[Elite-ist]

Jim: Slowly, but surely, you'll be able to get some deserved enjoyment from your CT-F1250. This deck, in proper operating condition, is a workhorse and will justify spending some extra cash on top quality cassettes for recording.

Nando.

[Bandwidth]

Jim: Slowly, but surely, you'll be able to get some deserved enjoyment from your CT-F1250. This deck, in proper operating condition, is a workhorse and will justify spending some extra cash on top quality cassettes for recording.

Nando.

Nando:

I'm looking forward to this. I ordered the belt/tire kit as well as the "How to disassemble the CT-F1250 instructional DVD" from the Dutch fellow.

I'll keep updating this project as it goes along!

Jim

[Elite-ist]

Nando:

I'm looking forward to this. I ordered the belt/tire kit as well as the "How to disassemble the CT-F1250 instructional DVD" from the Dutch fellow.

I'll keep updating this project as it goes along!

Jim

Jim: you may want to check out Graham's how-to on this:

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=1667

Nando.

[Bandwidth]

Jim: you may want to check out Graham's how-to on this:

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=1667

Nando.

Nando: I will check out the sight as soon as the belt kit arrives. Thanks!

Jim