Nakamichi 480 (I've been a bad boy!)

[derek92994]

Hi, very nice deck, one of the bests "low end" Naks.
I have three 48x: a black 480 that works fine, a nearly mint black 482 that needs a new capstan motor (high w&f after one hour of pb) and a silver 480 in worst cosmetic condition than this one and that eats tapes (the previous owner has disassembled the pinch rollers for re-lube them but he has wrongly reassembled & realigned them).

They are great units, their recordings produce such a strong and full sound (just did some testing tonight), I really wanted one with a pressure pad lifter mechanism and this is the first. Does a very good job and much less head wear as a result of the pad not being used. Also less flutter and more stable tape transport with those extra guides near the pinch rollers. These machines also seem easy to work on with plenty of room between the mechanism parts, and a very strong/stable cam gear system.

 

[pennysdad]

... if you're looking for something new to fix, go and check out this poor man's Nagra.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-...intage_Electronics&hash=item3a826c00dd&_uhb=1
Nobody's bidding. Might end up either being a bargain, or a total waste of time....

 

[derek92994]

... if you're looking for something new to fix, go and check out this poor man's Nagra.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-...intage_Electronics&hash=item3a826c00dd&_uhb=1
Nobody's bidding. Might end up either being a bargain, or a total waste of time....

It reminds me of a walkman that I picked up from the dump market last week for $2. The batteries had leaked in it and I thought i could clean it up and fix it. Unfortunately the battery acid ate away too much of the circuit board tracks so I chucked it. Need to hang onto my pennies for this phase linear. I recently saw a Nakamichi LX-3 for $120 on gumtree, what a steal, pissed me off because I cant afford it, all the money is going towards this amp, its called discipline =). Have also quit smoking to speed things up and for better health.

 

[NavLinear]

It reminds me of a walkman that I picked up from the dump market last week for $2. The batteries had leaked in it and I thought i could clean it up and fix it. Unfortunately the battery acid ate away too much of the circuit board tracks so I chucked it. Need to hang onto my pennies for this phase linear. I recently saw a Nakamichi LX-3 for $120 on gumtree, what a steal, pissed me off because I cant afford it, all the money is going towards this amp, its called discipline =). Have also quit smoking to speed things up and for better health.

Dude - you've got to get the amp if you really want it. You have a arse tonne of tape machines so unless the holy grail comes up...

Just saying. Smoking sucks - drinking is much better 4u!!

 

[NavLinear]

And if you listen to my advise I'll have to give you the disclaimer - being from Californication that could be quite detailed.

 

[derek92994]

Dude - you've got to get the amp if you really want it. You have a arse tonne of tape machines so unless the holy grail comes up...

Just saying. Smoking sucks - drinking is much better 4u!!

Yes I have enough tape machines. So yes I will not spend anymore on tape decks or cigarettes. Funny you should mention drinking because I am having a beer right now, the 6 pack was on special. Gotta peg the clothes out to dry and get some dinner cooking (all whilst listening to this lovely Nak 480)

 

[NavLinear]

What flavor are you having? I'm sucking down a Shock Top - Belgian White at the moment. Listening to some Van Halen - their first album. Both are excellent IMO.

 

[derek92994]

What flavor are you having? I'm sucking down a Shock Top - Belgian White at the moment. Listening to some Van Halen - their first album. Both are excellent IMO.

The beer is Hahn Super dry, listening to Bob Seger - The Fire inside on the Nak 480

 

[derek92994]

 

[NavLinear]

Is this the one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4x9EVHhRwY

Too funny!

 

[Glantoir]

I was inspired by your thread Derek to give a little TLC to my 480. I lightly sanded and cleaned the idler with alcohol as you said and now its playing continuously, although sometimes it can start to chatter but a bit of a push downwards on the reel motor will sort it out.

Its a real pleasure to listen and look at this tape deck in operation!

BTW, thats an Aussie copy of The Beatles White album playing in the 480!

 

[Elite-ist]

Pat: Didn't know you had a 480, but it's good to see you've been inspired to get it running again. It seems, Nakamichi developed their 2-head decks much further than some other manufacturers.

Nando.

 

[derek92994]

I was inspired by your thread Derek to give a little TLC to my 480. I lightly sanded and cleaned the idler with alcohol as you said and now its playing continuously, although sometimes it can start to chatter but a bit of a push downwards on the reel motor will sort it out.
Its a real pleasure to listen and look at this tape deck in operation!
BTW, thats an Aussie copy of The Beatles White album playing in the 480!

That's great to hear you got it running again, and the black colored ones sure look sweet. Maybe sanding another small layer off the idler would help. I did 3 or 4 sands to my BX-1 before it was working without any slipping of the idler tire, with very thorough cleans using alcohol in between. It seems my 480 had the idler tire replaced not too long ago (about 3 years) as stated by the previous owner. Impressive mechanism, you can get to almost everything in them. I hear the more advanced naks are much harder to work on.

Thumbs up to the australian pressing and a great band too

 

[pennysdad]

I can tell ya it's some pretty scary sh*t inside mine, and it's only the 660ZX.
I've lost count of the times I've gone to fix it, and flipped the lid, only to run away screaming....
Very scary indeed.

 

[Miracle Mile]

I was inspired by your thread Derek to give a little TLC to my 480. I lightly sanded and cleaned the idler with alcohol as you said and now its playing continuously, although sometimes it can start to chatter but a bit of a push downwards on the reel motor will sort it out.

Its a real pleasure to listen and look at this tape deck in operation!

BTW, thats an Aussie copy of The Beatles White album playing in the 480!

Yup! And there's another classic laying on it, is it?......

Nice......

 

[jbeckva]

I can tell ya it's some pretty scary sh*t inside mine, and it's only the 660ZX.
I've lost count of the times I've gone to fix it, and flipped the lid, only to run away screaming....
Very scary indeed.

Heheh... and that's the same exact reason why I gave my 660zx to Perry. Way too scary inside there!

 

[Glantoir]

Yes , there are a few classics there alright Miles, well spotted
There's also a copy of Mixing Link Vol. 88 there as recorded by a friend of ours, Dazen1.

 

[Glantoir]

Pat: Didn't know you had a 480, but it's good to see you've been inspired to get it running again. It seems, Nakamichi developed their 2-head decks much further than some other manufacturers.

Nando.

Yes Nando, I was given both a Nak DR3 and the 480 by a friend last year.
I managed to get the DR3 going but left the 480 to one side until I saw Dereks thread!

 

[VintageShadow]

There's also a copy of Mixing Link Vol. 88 there as recorded by a friend of ours, Dazen1.

You were so lucky having that, i was on the list for the vol 99 or 100 i think and right before reaching it his Sony walkie gived up, arghhh

 

[Glantoir]

You were so lucky having that, i was on the list for the vol 99 or 100 i think and right before reaching it his Sony walkie gived up, arghhh

I also have Vol 78 Sep!
I always thought the recordings Daren made on that walkman were amazing!