Ampex MM1200 24 Track - trade / sell

[Paul Berton]

Hi T-Rockers

I have a MM1200 that I want to move on..I bought it from Sing Sing in the late 90's, used it for a few years, serviced then by Owen Reynolds but it hasn't run for about 17 years.

If anyone would be interested in a trade let me know what you have (microphone, compressor, guitar stuff...)

Or make an offer!

Located in Sydney.

Hoping to find a good home for it!

[simonstav]

Any pics?

[Paul Berton]

I should have thought about that! I'll get on to doing some photos tomorrow night.

[Paul Berton]

Ok I've done some photo's but I was not able to upload them due to a pixel issue. (I've never been able to figure that out) Happy to email them to you!

[Paul Berton]

I've had a bunch of PM's asking similar questions so I realise two things -

1 there is still quite a bit of interest
2 I went off half cocked and should have had more info & details!
3 I should probably get a tech in to try running it and to give a report of current condition

Common questions & answers to the best of my knowledge -

1 What condition was the machine in before it went in to storage -
I bought it from Sing Sing in Melbourne (via Mixmasters Adelaide), I asked for a tech report & that stated - all channels working, play, record, erase, all VU's working, remote fully functional, heads approx 70% left.
After I purchased the machine I recorded approx. 5 albums on it - it was my big budget machine, most artists I recorded were on a budget and we used my Fostex G24S 1 inch. Also I have never been a full commercial enterprise - my studio business has always been a sideline to my main thing (I'm a guitarist). For the few years I had it running it was serviced by Sydney Ampex guru Owen Reynolds.
It was functional but compared to my Fostex the Ampex was hard on tape - it needed cleaning often and shed a lot more tape particles. I know there are companies in the US that sell upgrade rollers etc as this was a flaw on all these Ampex 1200 machines. Pretty rough transport but many people say they are the best sounding tape machines ever.
My dear friend John McConnell (RIP) always encouraged me to get it running again, he checked my heads on his MM1100 and said my heads are "worn but sound fine, no loss of top end".

2 What will it need / cost to get it running again -
How long is a piece of string! I really have no idea...it will also depend on your tech skills. I have the manual if that helps you (I'm not a tech so it didn't help me!)

3 Photos - I was not able to upload to this forum so if you are interested I can email them to you

4 How much do I want / what would I trade for
$2000
Or a trade of similar value - eg microphones, compressor, guitar stuff

Hope that clarifies a few things!