Videokarma.org

Go Back   Videokarma.org TV - Video - Vintage Television & Radio Forums > Expeditions & Passions

We appreciate your help

in keeping this site going.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-16-2013, 12:33 AM
Jon A.'s Avatar
Jon A. Jon A. is offline
Don't mess with Esther.
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,267
Thumbs up Rare 8-track deck

I would probably attract a lynch mob at AK for talking about such a thing. Well, not really...

Anyway, I have seen a handful of automotive cassette decks with a record function, but never an automotive 8-track deck. It's not something I would pursue, in spite of being an 8-track enthusiast, especially at the price the seller wants, but I thought it worth a mention. According to the listing title, it only records in mono, but I don't see anything in the photos indicating that, and the manual appears to be sealed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310698520910

Recording isn't something I would want to try to concentrate on while rowing through gears. Of course I met one guy with a 5-speed '84 Tempo who said something like he would have a cigarette going while holding a Tim Horton's coffee cup in his teeth while driving. To each his own. Here it's illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving; I wonder how the cops would handle recording?

Last edited by Jon A.; 07-16-2013 at 12:41 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-16-2013, 07:20 AM
AiboPet's Avatar
AiboPet AiboPet is offline
"micro" and quirky
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: I'm in San Diego, but lived in Hong Kong for a long time
Posts: 707
I only remember one cassette deck that recorded in the car. I don't remember at all WHO made the thing, but if you liked whatever was on the radio, apparently you could just hit a single button and start recording it.

It seemed like a valid idea at the time, but I guess you would have to have a blank cassette sitting somewhere, and sitting RIGHT at where you wanted to start recording at all times.

I think the ONLY 8-track recorder I ever played with was some '70s "all-in'one" stereo system (Electro...or somesuch). I used it to record my STYX albums to 8-tracks at the time I wish I still had those tapes around. I would get an 8-track for the Vega.
__________________
My current "holy grail" is trying to get enough parts together to get a Singer TV6U going. Been kicking my ass for nearly a year now :-P
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-16-2013, 01:26 PM
Jon A.'s Avatar
Jon A. Jon A. is offline
Don't mess with Esther.
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,267
I used to have a Panasonic RS-806US recording deck. I regrettably gave it away when I temporarily got out of 8-tracks in 1999 or 2000. Old habits die hard though, or in my case just go dormant. Plenty of those Panasonics on eBay, someday I'll get another. I have six 8-track car stereos, all Ford units. My first stereo was a Sears unit with 8-track. The 8-track soon quit though, and it wasn't until long after that I realized it was a bad belt. It wouldn't change programs either. Finally, what was probably a cheap BSR turntable froze up, so only the radio still worked.

One thing I forgot to mention before, something that big wouldn't even fit under the dash of a 1984 or later Lynx. 1981-83 is no problem, as long as it doesn't have the full console. The ash tray would need to be removed, but I wouldn't care about that. Actually, I would probably opt for a CB radio in that space.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-17-2013, 12:19 AM
AUdubon5425's Avatar
AUdubon5425 AUdubon5425 is offline
VideoKarma Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Picayune, Miss.
Posts: 1,769
Early 70's - Chrysler's optional cassette deck could record and came with a microphone. It was a separate unit mounted on the transmission hump.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-17-2013, 12:58 AM
Jon A.'s Avatar
Jon A. Jon A. is offline
Don't mess with Esther.
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,267
Oh yeah, I have seen those.
Reply With Quote
Audiokarma
  #6  
Old 07-20-2013, 09:23 PM
Dude111 Dude111 is offline
Analogue is Awesome
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,406
I havent heard an 8 track since the 80s -- Wouldnt mind hearing another
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-20-2013, 10:46 PM
Jon A.'s Avatar
Jon A. Jon A. is offline
Don't mess with Esther.
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,267
Funny, I didn't hear an 8-track until the early 90s, at least I don't think so. Lots of players and tapes to be had, just make sure to get a player in which the head isn't held in place by plastic with a set screw in the top, the plastic would often fatigue-crack. As for the tapes, their common ills are easily fixed. Lots of repair stuff available from Kate's Track Shack. The foil needed for the splices can probably be found at your local hardware store.

Not many appreciate these, so have at it, it would be good to hear of another "catching the bug".
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-25-2013, 03:17 PM
Electronic M's Avatar
Electronic M Electronic M is offline
M is for Memory
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pewaukee/Delafield Wi
Posts: 14,758
If you work on tube gear and restuff caps the foil from old paper caps makes a good replacement splice if the original is missing. I usually super glue and or use adhesive tape to fix broken splices.
__________________
Tom C.

Zenith: The quality stays in EVEN after the name falls off!
What I want. --> http://www.videokarma.org/showpost.p...62&postcount=4
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-26-2013, 11:46 PM
radiotvnut's Avatar
radiotvnut radiotvnut is offline
VideoKarma Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Meridian, MS
Posts: 6,018
Today, I bought a circa '75 Realistic 8-track recorder deck at the flea market for $4. In the '75 RS catalog, it was their TOTL model that sold for $149. A note on the recorder said they didn't know if it worked; which, means it probably doesn't work. However, it's so rare to see anything like this cheap anymore at the flea market; so, I went ahead and got it. It's getting so that many of these vendors think these things are worth $30+.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-27-2013, 01:21 AM
Jon A.'s Avatar
Jon A. Jon A. is offline
Don't mess with Esther.
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,267
Old stuff for cheap is always good. Would you please post a pic? Also, what is TOTL? Probably an easy fix if there is something wrong with it.
Reply With Quote
Audiokarma
  #11  
Old 07-29-2013, 12:43 AM
ChrisW6ATV's Avatar
ChrisW6ATV ChrisW6ATV is offline
Another CT-100 lives!
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hayward, Cal. USA
Posts: 3,464
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dude111 View Post
I havent heard an 8 track since the 80s -- Wouldnt mind hearing another
I have not heard an 8-track tape since the 1970s, and I have no more desire to now than I did then, which was about zero (cassettes were so much better, except the pre-recorded ones).

Well, I do still have the AM/FM/8-track deck I removed from my 1974 GMC motorhome; it would be fun to get it working and find a tape to play on it. Probably needs to be Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles, or something similar.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KV-1926R View Post
Also, what is TOTL?
TOTL means "Top Of The Line". An eight-track deck with Dolby noise reduction is definitely high-end for that format.
__________________
Chris

Quote from another forum: "(Antique TV collecting) always seemed to me to be a fringe hobby that only weirdos did."
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-28-2013, 07:51 PM
radiotvnut's Avatar
radiotvnut radiotvnut is offline
VideoKarma Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Meridian, MS
Posts: 6,018
Here it is:

Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-28-2013, 10:59 PM
Jon A.'s Avatar
Jon A. Jon A. is offline
Don't mess with Esther.
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,267
Thanks. Quite a nice unit. Just noticed the Dolby NR button. Not sure if I ever saw that on an 8-track player before.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-28-2013, 11:25 PM
radiotvnut's Avatar
radiotvnut radiotvnut is offline
VideoKarma Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Meridian, MS
Posts: 6,018
I need to dig out the Akai deck and post a picture of that one. That one is by far the most professional 8-track deck that I've seen.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-28-2013, 11:53 PM
radiotvnut's Avatar
radiotvnut radiotvnut is offline
VideoKarma Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Meridian, MS
Posts: 6,018
I double checked and my deck with Dolby was offered in '78 and '79 for $179.
Reply With Quote
Audiokarma
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:03 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
©Copyright 2012 VideoKarma.org, All rights reserved.