Reel to Reel tape recorders (Analog has never been away)
 Service Sound ~ Reel to Reel Tape Recorder
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Based in Bexhill-on-Sea in
East Sussex, Servicesound has been servicing and repairing hi-fi equipment since 1968. Now we specialise in the maintenance of open spool reel to reel tape recorders, (including Ferrograph &
Brenell) and valve amplifiers (including Audio Note, Beard, Leak etc.).
Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Repairs
Since 1968 Servicesound have had the pleasure of working on some of the finest tape recorders ever made. Personal favourites are Ferrograph and Brenell but all reel to reel tape recorders have a
'mystique' about them. A combination of precision engineering and brilliant electronics leads to sound that cannot be bettered. Many recording studios are now going over to analogue recorders
preferring them to the hard clinic al sound digital recorders produced.Fig.1 Brenell STB2
Reel to reel machines are beginning to become scarce and expensive,
perhaps the most important point is that they can almost always be repaired and bought up like new. This is where Servicesound can help. Almost regardless of make and age, so long as it is intact ~
Servicesound can repair your tape recorder.
Brenell Tape Recorders
In 1977 former Brenell directors and development engineers established Soundcraft Magnetics to produce world class advanced multi-track recorders, such as the astonishing "Saturn 1", in direct competition with the market leaders, Studer, Ampex and Otari. They were to be the last British tape deck manufacturer. Arguably these tape recorders are the best machines that have ever been made and was voted best looking tape recorder In the World. All the Brenell photographs used on this site are attributed to Barry Jones whose devotion to these wonderful machines knows no bounds.
Pictured in Fig.1 is a Brenell STB2, like Ferrograph these are superbly made machines and easy to repair. Parts are easy to obtain, as with most European manufactures, they used components that are readily available the shelf. Even the control knobs are still made!
Notes on Ferrograph
The Ferrograph tape recorder is, in my opinion, one of the finest sounding machines ever made. The series 7 generation has had a rather bad press due to the rubber parts melting and on the Seven,
the head pressure pads causing problems. All these troubles are easily rectified and once serviced and properly set up the Ferrograph will out perform just about any machine you care to mention. They
do have their little idiosyncrasies but this is what comes with a hand made machine and when one gets used to using them they are a joy. Built like a tank and easy to service these machines will go
on forever. The electronics are simple and all the parts are easily obtainable. The early, round bodied, heads can be taken apart, finished and micro polished to bring them up like new. The same
applies to the older 4, 5 and 6 series. These are valve based machines and have the magic that valves add to the sound.
For exchange FERROGRAPH pinch roller and idler wheels please contact Dave Durrant at david.durrant@btinternet.com
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