Albert,

I can only say thanks ; but thanks is not enough. Being 65 years old, I remember our family going out in the heat of the summer and leaving the screen door, as the only barrier between us and the thieves. Back then there were fewer thieves, we had to work or we starved. In the age of the internet, there are those who prey on those who look for the qualified suppliers of services, who tell us what their qualifications are; how can we check.

Albert, you've saved me the thought of dealing with an unresolvable problem. I won't have to feel like a fool for beliving, what someone who says he is a qualified tech, will do when I give him my charge card to do " what it takes," to return My Ampex to the stature it enjoyed in the golden age of analog.

Thanks , Ken

kftool November 24, 2006 00:51

Hi Albert,

I've waited until you've reached a decision on the quality of the re-build on your Ampex 351. I've been looking at mine for 7 months, and it's time to make a decision.

I was sent a quote of $950 from the company that rebuilt your Ampex. They will change the caps, tubes ,etc. There are only about 1500 hrs on my machine, so the heads don't need to be relapped; the tubes may be no different than nos.

Your thoughts, regards,Ken



Thanks, Ken

kftool November 21, 2006 02:27

Albert, I spoke with Dan Schmalle at Bottlehead. We spoke for almost half an hour and he was happy to discuss the project in detail. Ask for him when you call. regards, Ken

kftool July 18, 2006 12:28

Albert, you'll want to look into the master dubs that will be offered by Bottlehead. 10 issues per year, each on two 10 inch reels at 15 ips. Titles not yet known, $150 per offering, based on a subscription of 10 for the full year.

I need to have the machine gone over, even though there is probably less than 1000 hours use on the machine. The rubber needs to be replaced, electrolytic caps replaced etc. If the cost of the additional head block seems reasonable, it sounds like the way to go, especially since your man perfected the process on your machine. If you're entirely satisfyed with the job he did for you it would be like having a second unit. If you would pass his name on to me I would appreciate it.

I also have an Ampex PR-10 that I purchased around 15 years ago, and had it gone over by an ex Ampex tech. The electronics are the same as used on the 354 machine. It used the same transport as we have on the 351, but used solid state electronics. It would be possible for me to make a dub of anything with the PR-10, realizing that the signal would be going through solid state electronics. I'll see how the recordings go and if they aren't too embarrasing, I'll send you a dub. regards, Ken

kftool July 17, 2006 20:15

Hello Albert, I'm sitting here looking at my Ampex 351-2 that has been staring back at me for 2 months saying, "Feed Me." You may not recall , that I responded earlier about the machine that we both have. I realize that you have a good deal of program material for the Ampex. I have none.

This afternoon we had the meeting for the Richmond Audio Society, the age ranges from early twentys up to 64, that's me. One of our members has a repair shop and caters to the pro and tube set. We kid him about the fact that his hair was straight until he got tangled up with too much high voltage and big filter caps. I mentioned that I needed to check out my Ampex and that I had absolutely no tapes. He sugested that I go to Bottlehead.com. They have a subscription service by which you can purchase dubs of live recordings, the quality of which, will re-enforce the axiom that analogue is best. You may already be aware of this site, but if not, it will be just another conduit for the depleation of funds.

We in Richmond , have a wide range of small musical groups that perform at many small clubs . The only thing we have more of are banks and gas stations. It's been a long time since I miked and recorded a band , but I hope it's like riding a bike. I guess that I need to take a Saturday afternoon off from my Bobcat, dirt, and salt treated lumber, and have a little fun with my wife and my Ampex.

regards, Ken

kftool July 17, 2006 00:12