Reel to Reel decks

I had an Akai, and parts were hard to get in the 70's.

I would open up the back and try to get some oil on anything in there that moves, especially capstans and such. Blow out all the dust, clean whatever contacts and surfaces you can. Then try out a tape.

I was playing my old Teac 2340SX this past weekend. What a nice, natural, analogue sound, even though there is tape hiss at the top end. Oh well, you can't have everything.

Thanks for the tip. I typically use Pro-Shot 1 Step Gun Cleaner and Lubricant as a general household oil-based lubricant. Any reason I should use something else?

The only reason I could think of to let a pro do it is that there are lots of rubber parts in this machine. I don't know how they'll react to the proshot or any other mix of lube/solvent.

Listen to Orpheus10. Akai made some nice decks, but the parts are notoriously difficult to source and Akai's don't compare too favorably in both the sound and maintenance departments to Revox, Teac, Pioneer, Tandbergs, etc.

It's awesome to have a cool, gifted heirloom, but resale & if it will see serious use are always considerations when thinking of refirbing and esp. spending to refirb vintage gear.

If you just want to have a lark, why don't you just hit it hard with the contact cleaner and see what you have on your hands first?