LATEST Piece of Gear in Your Stack - What is it?

[wavelength]

"The Battle of New Orleans" was one of my most played records when I was a kid.

Yep, and Sink the Bismark too! Johnny Horton's Greatest Hits - That was a terrific album. North to Alaska, we're going north the rush is on. mmm, mmm.

 

[Doug G.]

"Sink the Bismark"! How could I forget that? Yup, it got worn out too.

I was thinking Columbia used styrene for the 45s back then but the ones I have left seem a little too heavy for styrene so maybe not. The edges are squared off, though, instead of tapered.

"We gotta sink the Bismark 'cause the world depends on us..."

Doug

 

[Quad Linda]

My boyfriend at 5 and I had Bismark loaded into our "personal jukebox," an old AMI. His Dad was in the jukebox business.

"Sink the Bismark"! How could I forget that? Yup, it got worn out too.

I was thinking Columbia used styrene for the 45s back then but the ones I have left seem a little too heavy for styrene so maybe not. The edges are squared off, though, instead of tapered.

"We gotta sink the Bismark 'cause the world depends on us..."

Doug

 

[Doug G.]

Yeah, it was always good to have "connections". My grandmother worked at the Terp ballroom in my home town and they always gave her records taken out of the jukebox to give to me.

And my neighbors ran a roller rink which had a jukebox and they would bring the ones taken out home for my friend and I to play in their converted automotive 45 player.

Doug

 

[DuncanS]

I suddenly realised even my marker pen had gone Quad!

 

[leevitalone1]

"The Battle of New Orleans" was one of my most played records when I was a kid. So much so that it was one of the ones (along with Big Bad John, PT 109, Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny..., Leichtensteiner Polka, and Purple People Eater), about which the rest of the family teased me.

My mother had a Sheltie named Tera (actually Tara) but she didn't byte...er...bite.



Doug

Remember this? The bird bird bird is the word?

 

[dr8track]

Remember this? The bird bird bird is the word?

Remember it well. Surfin' Bird by the Trashmen!

 

[Jack the Reefer]

Akai AA 6100 Surround Sound Amplifier

 

[Quad Linda]

Could you please show a photo of the Akai's right side?

Thanks, in advance.

 

[Doug G.]

Remember this? The bird bird bird is the word?

Yes, as dr8track already acknowledged.

My copy is on SOMA backed with Liar Liar by The Castaways, another great Minneapolis band. This wasn't the original way these songs were released, Surfin' Bird being an earlier release on Garrett records which was distributed by SOMA. SOMA later rereleased them on the same record after they both becamse monster hits.

Quintessential examples of mid sixties garage rock/surf rock.

Doug

 

[Jack the Reefer]

As requested the full frontal view. I haven't cleaned and opened up the Akai yet to make sure its safe to turn apply power. I like to visually inspect any new equipment although sometimes I dont. I have had a few go up in smoke althogh I think this Akai is fine to power up.

I like to take photos of the equipment before and after cleaning and from all angles. It makes a good reference especially if the equipment is orginal. I'll take the Akai to work today and give it a good cleaning inside and out. The outside was nice and clean when it arrived. This wasnt sitting around for years unused. When you see the rca connectors are covered in dust is a good indication that the equipment was not in use unless it was in someones stereo cabinet or in a box.

I think this Akai will work with no issues but its always good to check.

 

[Jack the Reefer]

Here is the view of the rear, and interior top views before I cleaned the AKAI AA-6100. I brought it to work and used medical air to blow out the dust and dirt and then a brush and cotton tip aplicators for the small and hard reach areas. I also used pipe cleaners, stiff brush and cotton tip applicators with alcohol to clean the rca connectors, 1/4in audio jacks and the speaker posts.

I also use Sani Cloth disposible wipes to clean the exterior and interior flat surfaces. They do a good job at getting off adhesives, grease and then wipe it down with a clean cloth. I also use soap and water and a brush sometimes for the face plate. Dawn detergent works good so does acetone or alcohol just watch the paint or lettering.

Then contact cleaner and Deoxit on the pots and switches. It takes some time but its worth it to be able to listen to the equipment with a clean signal path. You never know when you have the magic combination of componets and source material

 

[krkier]

Dawn detergent works good so does acetone or alcohol just watch the paint or lettering.

Avoid acetone, it's extremely aggressive!

-Kristian

 

[callmez]

Avoid acetone, it's extremely aggressive!

-Kristian

Sometimes it's the only thing that'll work, but naptha (lighter fluid) is a much safer place to start -- both for you and the unit!

Mark Z

 

[silversurfer]

I've bought a few toys in the last 2 months. Had some $'s burning a hole in my pocket, ha! So, I hope ya'll won't think I'm bragging when all my pics & descriptions are posted. First off is a Marantz 4400 that came with a SQA2b decoder & wired remote control. It was totally restored & quite pricy, but oh sweet land of Quad does it perform!

 

[Doug G.]

I wonder if the Marantz design team won awards for their beautiful creations. They certainly should have. There are others too. Actually almost any of the design teams from the quad era.

Jack, thanks for the interior views of the Akai. I like to see four of different things inside stuff.

A quadraphonic highlighter. Who would have ever have thought quad would end up being so pervasive in society.

Doug

 

[silversurfer]

This - Tascam 4400 Quad R2R. Studio standard machine that used to belong to a FM classic rock station in Dallas, Tx. It replaces the Akai 280DSS I had used for 20 yrs. Only thing is; it won't play the 3.5 IPS tapes in my stash. Ah heck, that slow speed, they didn't sound all that great anyway. he he


I'm mobile and am unable to straighten up the pic, sorry..

 

[Quad Linda]

Most Teac and Tascam decks can be modified to play 3 3/4.

 

[silversurfer]

Thank you, Linda! I may look into that, but am wondering if, after the mod that it'll play @ all three speeds or only two? Most of my 3.5 IPS tapes are only a "best of". And... They are dubbed from Q8's, which is pretty neat in that, we can rock out to a mix & not have to listen to the "B" songs on any given cart.

 

[Quad Linda]

I believe that they can only play two speeds, either 3 3/4 & 7 1/2 OR 7 1/2 & 15.

Thank you, Linda! I may look into that, but am wondering if, after the mod that it'll play @ all three speeds or only two? Most of my 3.5 IPS tapes are only a "best of". And... They are dubbed from Q8's, which is pretty neat in that, we can rock out to a mix & not have to listen to the "B" songs on any given cart.