Akai GX 4000D

[8mmag]

How good or bad is an Akai GX 4000D? What to look out for, sound quality, availability of belts, rollers, other known bad parts, etc?

I briefly had one a few months ago, but I donated it to a college buddy whose R2R was on loan to me and stolen from my house 25 years ago. I thought after all these years it was time to pay him back.

Thanks!

[Emo-Fan]

I bought the AKAI 4000 DS Mk II in 1978. While it hasn't had more than moderate use, it still works perfectly and everything on it (including the belts) is original. Which is a good thing, because I have no idea where I'd get parts for it if something went. It's got a pretty robust build, sound quality is open and natural, but it's no TEAC, for which I hear parts acquisition is much easier. I try to power it up about once a month because letting a R2R sit for long periods of time is bad for it. Though I admit it had gone months at a time without use. It was always stored and used in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment.

The 4000 DX has the old sound-on-sound as well as sound-with-sound features. For any kind of serious overdubbing, they're useless. The S/N ratios are far to hissy to be of use beyond a curiosity.

Can't speak for the GX R2R decks, but Scorpion8 has one.

Scorp?

[Crucie]

i have one of these decks and i think its pretty good actually, and ive seen on ebay there are replacement pinch rollers reasonably priced. just be careful that it does indeed come with the capstan sleeve for 7.5 ips as ive heard a couple ppl say they bought one to find it didnt come with the capstan sleeve :( I also have scans of the manual which i might just post for you and anyone else that might find it useful *reelspin*

[cuppadan]

There are some places that make the capstan sleeves for these decks.
Made from brass so you don't have to demag them.

I bought one of these off craigslist. The audio circuits was in bad shape but the deck it's self is in primo condition. It almost looks brand new. The mechanical parts and belts work great. I know a guy around here who can repair anything. I say that because he repaired this deck and it sounds brand new. He had to replace 38 components and adjust some trim pots.
Can barely turn the output past 3 without busting my ears.

Now the deck looks and sounds like it's fully restored.
I'll post a picture later.
Total cost of ownership: $250 *jammin*

However, I have a question. Is there a way to adjust how the tape winds onto the reels?
When I rewind, it winds to the back edge of the reel. It needs to be in the center.

[Crucie]

mine has that problem on the take up reel too, id be interested to know aswell *reelspin*