Replacing Heads On An X-2000R?

[Des-Lab]

Question. How difficult would it realistically be for a novice to swap out the heads on an X-2000R? This means both doing it and doing it right. Is it something that with a little patience can be attempted? Or is it something best left to an expert?

Although I am in no immediate need, I did order a set of replacement heads from Teac. I was told I bought the very last "X" series record head they will stock. I would like to keep a spare set on hand, given their growing scarcity. I'd really hate to have to drag or ship the deck somewhere if it can be at all avoided. But at the same time, when the time comes, I'd want to make sure it's done right.

[Scorpion8]

You'd need an alignment tape also.... Physically you can do the wrenching. Getting them aligned properly is a different question entirely.

[stripedcat99]

I have done two A series decks now, both using the CA heads OEM for your X2000. I did not use an alignment tape, per se. The results have been very good, and I would do it again. The X series decks , at least the reverse models, of course have twice as many heads to worry about. It would definately complicate the job, and my method, which is hard to describe, might not work so well.

Still, you were smart to lay in an extra set of heads. I too have a few "just in case". After all, it is amazing that they still have any parts at all for 30+ year old equipment!


Question. How difficult would it realistically be for a novice to swap out the heads on an X-2000R? This means both doing it and doing it right. Is it something that with a little patience can be attempted? Or is it something best left to an expert?

Although I am in no immediate need, I did order a set of replacement heads from Teac. I was told I bought the very last "X" series record head they will stock. I would like to keep a spare set on hand, given their growing scarcity. I'd really hate to have to drag or ship the deck somewhere if it can be at all avoided. But at the same time, when the time comes, I'd want to make sure it's done right.

[Skywavebe]

Hi Des,
Having done a few heads in my time as well having seen those that guys who bought them and put them on right- even though they were all over the place makes me chime in to say you can do it but you must be meticulous as you only get one chance. I was expecting Teac to roll out some fancy machine with jigs and guides as well as little meter wheels like we used on the eccentricity gauge while centering heads on a 3/4" or pro 1/2" video deck, but no such animal.
What I found out was that you had to understand what was needed to be done and have some tools that allow you to do the job correctly then the experience of doing it correctly a few times helps.
As for people that put heads on without the correct equipment or alignment tapes- well they don't want to talk to me as there will be sparks.
One of the most important tools is to have a lot of bright light and even some magnifiers like I now use but I used them for heads when I was younger too.
The head must be positioned as to penetration- the position where the heads surface (gap area) is pushed into the tape. The head must have correct height which translates into correct track placement. Then there is the Tangency where the heads parabolic peak is positioned to meet the tape correctly and provide for the best capture of the high frequency azimuth signal on the tape. The other dimensional considerations are Tilt. This is determined and corrected using the rear of the head base screw but all the screws interact so move one and all have to be checked again.
An example where this was not correct is when heads wear mark that has an hour glass shape either up or down. The result of a bad positioning is that one of the gaps will wear out faster as well as poor tape to head contact for the gap that has the smaller width dimension. This can be examined with a perpendicularity jig or any metal block that is well machined to have a 90 degree corner. I often use a C1 cassette jig just because it is precisely made not because it aligns anything. The use of clear leader tape helps in the head height placement and confirmation. Once head placement is in good placement, then Azimuth is the final adjustment- like I said any adjustment up to and even after azimuth may require additional adjustments to other interacting adjustments. There have been many a time I was not getting what I wanted from a new head and started over again. I can remember being done with some machines and doing the whole job over the next day because it did not meet with my standards- other techs at Teac and around are NOT always like that. The customer is paying a lot of money for my work so they deserve to have perfection and that is what I intend to give them.
When we at Teac had to make corrections to guys that bought heads, mounted them but could not get them to play or record right- it always made for a good laugh to the other Techs. Not every guy was waaaaay off.
Some were pretty good but just needed a little help- these guys usually were from other service centers and we would help to train them to the right way. Some authorized places we found could be terrible with heads and we would be in for a lot of work from the ones we knew were bad at it. The job is NOT impossible but it takes a certain degree of being fussy.
When you are done in a correct head placement, you will be to standards and have great results as well be good for interchange between decks.
Head replacement or positioning is one of the most important aspects of the service business and can NOT be taken lightly.

[wollensak1580]

Question. How difficult would it realistically be for a novice to swap out the heads on an X-2000R? This means both doing it and doing it right. Is it something that with a little patience can be attempted? Or is it something best left to an expert?

Although I am in no immediate need, I did order a set of replacement heads from Teac. I was told I bought the very last "X" series record head they will stock. I would like to keep a spare set on hand, given their growing scarcity. I'd really hate to have to drag or ship the deck somewhere if it can be at all avoided. But at the same time, when the time comes, I'd want to make sure it's done right.

So the record head for these decks is no longer available? I wanted to use the X series heads to replace the heads on my Teac A2300S.

[shawn]

I called Teac and they told me that they are just out of stock. They don't know when they will come back in stock but they said they are not discontinued.

[wollensak1580]

I called Teac and they told me that they are just out of stock. They don't know when they will come back in stock but they said they are not discontinued.

Thank you Sean for the info! That is good to know, Any idea how much Teac charges for each head? I think I might have read somewhere about $ 99 a head? Or maybe it was $99 for both play/record heads? I will call them at a later date to see when the heads come back in stock.

[shawn]

$60 SOMETHING FOR REC HEAD and $70 something for playback. Erase head $30 something. This is last month.

[shawn]

Just an update, I wanted my 2000r heads changed, as you know the Rec heads were not available. Got an update from teac they have ordered the record heads from Japan and the ETA is 60- 90 days. It's still available. What a releif!

[shawn]

Some news from Teac USA. They have the record heads on order from Japan. ETA is 60 to 90 days. They are not discontinued. This is really good news