Turtlerock Forum

Hey Guys,

i'm getting around to working on my recntly purchased Ampex MM1100 2"16tk recorder.
I don't have any reels to test it with i was hoping to buy a cheap secondhand reel(s) to test with whilst i get the machine running (thanks Cameron!)

I will then buy some proper new reels when it is fully ? working (hope)

If there are any Ampex MM people on the forum, i'd love to hear from you - hopefully i might be able to learn from your experiences on maintaining and fixing them.

h.a.r.r.y.a.r.v.a.n.i.t.i.s

Hi,

An Ampex MM1200 2" 16 track is about as good as it gets for a tape machine. Well, sonically at least.

A few things:
- recap the MDA cards
- clean the filters for the 5 fans
- get the rolling guides mod
- get the tension sensor roller mod (David Ollard makes these)
- replace the fuse holders, they get old and can short (causing you to think the machine is on fire...)
- get spare channel cards, relays and anything else you can find.
- join the Ampex mailing list
- get a test tape/tentelometer/demagger

there are a bunch of mods that were done to the later machines to improve their reliability and performance. depending on the provenance of the machine, many of these mods may have already been done. if you look on the web you can find record plant mods, get that PDF. it also has a great troubleshooting guide.

I have a bunch of Quantegy 499 reels that I don't/won't use (I only us GP9). Let me know if you want some...

I have a bunch of spares if you ever get really stuck...

Chris

Thanks Chris!

will be in touch regarding those 499 reels,

i think all of the rollers look like they are from an mm1200 (roller bearings) so this has been done, heads look good (hairline headgap, even wear) machine powers on okay and all switches trigger relays, just can't actually see what the transport is like without tape..

reading through the service book is interesting - appears that the entire audio path is discreet electronics and only basic (read servicable) logic switching..

you wouldn't happen to have spare card extenders by any chance?

will try and get it going and hopefully it wont need much - then ill recap all the channel cards,

Thanks again,

h.a.r.r.y.a.r.v.a.n.i.t.i.s

the guides I'm talking about upgrading are the fixed posts on the headblock (there's two of them) and the tension sensor guide. all of these can be converted to rollers, and makes a hell of a difference for the transport performance.

Chris

I have an MM 1100 16 trk that has 4 of the modded purc for easier punch in/ out
Here is one place for spares in the US
http://www.analogrules.com/frames/MM1200parts.html

My machine is in need of some work. I had a new capstan made for it and quite a few conectors need replacing as the plastic has become brittle. It has beed in storage till i get other things working as they should, as in my Audek desk. Not long now till it's the Ampex's turn.

Hey Guys thanks for your responses

Chris V, i have pm'ed regarding tapes - thanks for that,

btw it is an mm1100 not mm1200 - i think these were more troublesome, we'll have to see. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Chris H - Maybe a tandem MM1100 restoration is in order? I have full schematics ect if you need a scan ect?

Cheers

h.a.r.r.y.a.r.v.a.n.i.t.i.s