Hi! Thanks so much for doing both of these videos. I have a 1978 MEGO 2XL robot which has an eight track player inside. My unit is cross talking on some tapes and not others. A 2XL repair expert suggested that I adjust the head height adjustment. The only thing is he wants me to buy his instructional video. It’s nearly 16 bucks. I understand that you have to make money but, wow! Anyway, I am totally blind and hesitant to do this myself. I am not sure what model eight track this is as it is slightly modified on the inside to accommodate the work required to play 2XL programs. I will look around and see if I can find out what model it is. I believe it is similar to the eight track player you would find in your car back in the day.
It would most likely have a lower end setup in it. If you decide to try and tackle this yourself (which i think should be pretty easy) you can send me an email with pictures or video of anything that stumps you and I will happily advise you, but I don't think you should have any trouble. My email is mrboutilier@yahoo.ca
@@8trackfm thank you so much! Lol! I have always wanted to do stuff like this, but I just lack the confidence. If I come across any problems, I will certainly email you. I do have a few questions though. Can this crosstalking be caused by the A-Trak tape itself? I mean, if the tension on the tape is not quite what it should be, can the tracks bleed into each other in that instance? The reason I ask this is because The cross talking occurs on some tapes and not on others. Is it a matter of somehow tightening the innards of the eight track tape? I am a kid of the 80s so this is just a little before my era. Lol!
Sometimes worn pressure pads on the cartridge (located directly under the tape at top of cartridge) can cause cross talk but it’s usually from a misaligned head. The foam pressure pads are the worst for wearing out
@@8trackfm I have heard of this happening. I do know of a UA-camr who has found a low-cost solution to this problem. I don’t remember if it was Databits, or Techmoan, but one of them discovered that you could tailor cut make up sponges and apply them with some sort of adhesive. You just had to apply some scotch tape or some thing on the side of the make up sponge that touches the tape so it won’t rub and produce make up sponge flakes. Lol! I wish I could remember who did that! Anyway, I think there are also eight track repair kits if I’m not mistaken. I don’t know. I think I would try the head alignment to. It wouldn’t cost me anything. Lol!
Hey man...watched both your videos on the adjustments of these vintage machines...very informative, I'm now a subscriber!! Thought you might like to check out my marble machine...the "marble spinner" that I just finished is built around one of these 8 track mechanisms and a rotating c.d. check out the "engineering and building the marble spinner" playlist, I think you might get a kick out of it....
Actually, this is incorrect. The screw you are adjusting is actually the head 'Azimuth' screw. The 'cross talk' head height adjustment hex nut is behind this assembly. 99% of the time, the cross talk adjustment is all that is needed to correct/optimize playback. You shouldn't mess with the azimuth.
Hi! Thanks so much for doing both of these videos. I have a 1978 MEGO 2XL robot which has an eight track player inside. My unit is cross talking on some tapes and not others. A 2XL repair expert suggested that I adjust the head height adjustment. The only thing is he wants me to buy his instructional video. It’s nearly 16 bucks. I understand that you have to make money but, wow! Anyway, I am totally blind and hesitant to do this myself. I am not sure what model eight track this is as it is slightly modified on the inside to accommodate the work required to play 2XL programs. I will look around and see if I can find out what model it is. I believe it is similar to the eight track player you would find in your car back in the day.
It would most likely have a lower end setup in it. If you decide to try and tackle this yourself (which i think should be pretty easy) you can send me an email with pictures or video of anything that stumps you and I will happily advise you, but I don't think you should have any trouble.
My email is mrboutilier@yahoo.ca
@@8trackfm thank you so much! Lol! I have always wanted to do stuff like this, but I just lack the confidence. If I come across any problems, I will certainly email you. I do have a few questions though. Can this crosstalking be caused by the A-Trak tape itself? I mean, if the tension on the tape is not quite what it should be, can the tracks bleed into each other in that instance? The reason I ask this is because The cross talking occurs on some tapes and not on others. Is it a matter of somehow tightening the innards of the eight track tape? I am a kid of the 80s so this is just a little before my era. Lol!
Sometimes worn pressure pads on the cartridge (located directly under the tape at top of cartridge) can cause cross talk but it’s usually from a misaligned head. The foam pressure pads are the worst for wearing out
@@8trackfm I have heard of this happening. I do know of a UA-camr who has found a low-cost solution to this problem. I don’t remember if it was Databits, or Techmoan, but one of them discovered that you could tailor cut make up sponges and apply them with some sort of adhesive. You just had to apply some scotch tape or some thing on the side of the make up sponge that touches the tape so it won’t rub and produce make up sponge flakes. Lol! I wish I could remember who did that! Anyway, I think there are also eight track repair kits if I’m not mistaken. I don’t know. I think I would try the head alignment to. It wouldn’t cost me anything. Lol!
Hey man...watched both your videos on the adjustments of these vintage machines...very informative, I'm now a subscriber!! Thought you might like to check out my marble machine...the "marble spinner" that I just finished is built around one of these 8 track mechanisms and a rotating c.d. check out the "engineering and building the marble spinner" playlist, I think you might get a kick out of it....
Actually, this is incorrect. The screw you are adjusting is actually the head 'Azimuth' screw. The 'cross talk' head height adjustment hex nut is behind this assembly. 99% of the time, the cross talk adjustment is all that is needed to correct/optimize playback. You shouldn't mess with the azimuth.
You've peaked my curiosity. I will have to check this out. I could very well have missed this.
@@8trackfm Go to vinyl engine and download the service manual for the H-R100 (which is the same as yours but has Dolby).
@@frankm3945 I definitely will. Thanks for the info