Advice on restoring VZ-2000

[laminatorious]

First of all, I would like to say hi to all the members as this is my first post. I've spent the last couple of days browsing the forums, particularly this one, with interest. The strip down instructions for the VZ-2000 are awesome - thanks madbadger

Many years ago I picked up a VZ-2000 in a car boot sale. I had no idea what is was then or whether it was collectible, but for the price I just had to have it as it looked amazing. It's been sitting collecting dust at my parents house and I regularly get asked if they can get rid of it. Of course there was no chance I was going to let that happen!

It powers on fine but is not in great shape at all. Here are the issues I've found:

• Several sliders missing - realise these can be replaced
• Blue cover on tuning wheel missing
• Tape button missing and I can't switch it to any of the other modes as it's permanently on tape
• Tape tray I think is missing although tape loads no problem
• Tape motor all working but no sound coming through speakers
• Record player I'm assuming doesn't work but can't test
• Looks like aerial has been crudely replaced with another, but the new one is broken anyway
• Record drawer opens fine but when closed doesn't seem flush top the unit at bottom
• Several cosmetic issues - scratches, small nicks, minor rust spots

So my question is, with all the above mentioned issues, is it even worth attempting to get it restored/back to working order or am I better off just selling it off for parts? Not sure I have the skills, time or patience to attempt bringing it back to glory myself and so would probably look for professional to have a go.

If at all possible I'd love to get it back working and repaired as it really is a beautiful beast (as I know you all agree) and I love old tech/audio equipment with a passion.

I'm attaching photos below and would love to hear advice from the experts on here.

Many thanks in advance,

Matt

!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Greetings!

Welcome to the best forum on the planet!

Overall it is a very nice unit!
I'm surprised you still have most of the sliders on the unit.

Does it power up and can you listen to radio on both channels? If both channels are working fine it gives lots of motivation to take time and fix all the rest.

This is not a restoration that can be done in a day or two. Take your time and do it carefully. The results will make you very happy. That is the fun of restoration.

All these problems can be fixed. Turntable might need new belts and so also cassette player.

The record tray got misaligned from the bottom. It is sitting on two springs and held by a few screws that act like a suspension. If the box was transported without locking the turn table with two other screws from the back it will jump off the suspension and do some damage.

Cassette tray is an easy fix. The hinges might have got broken but we can easily make that work with some modifications. I've fixed mine.

Those scratches on the Al trim cannot be removed and I won't worry about it at all.

There are lots of members who knows in and out of this unit here on this forum. Members might even have most of the parts.

 

[laminatorious]

Greetings!

Welcome to the best forum on the planet!

Overall it is a very nice unit!
I'm surprised you still have most of the sliders on the unit.

Does it power up and can you listen to radio on both channels? If both channels are working fine it gives lots of motivation to take time and fix all the rest.

This is not a restoration that can be done in a day or two. Take your time and do it carefully. The results will make you very happy. That is the fun of restoration.

All these problems can be fixed. Turntable might need new belts and so also cassette player.

The record tray got misaligned from the bottom. It is sitting on two springs and held by a few screws that act like a suspension. If the box was transported without locking the turn table with two other screws from the back it will jump off the suspension and do some damage.

Cassette tray is an easy fix. The hinges might have got broken but we can easily make that work with some modifications. I've fixed mine.

Those scratches on the Al trim cannot be removed and I won't worry about it at all.

There are lots of members who knows in and out of this unit here on this forum. Members might even have most of the parts.

Thank you for the reply boomboxlover

It's encouraging to hear that it may well be restorable.

It powers up just fine and the levels are lighting up when I hit play on the tape but no sound. I'm not presently able to test the radio as it's stuck on tape. The other function buttons won't stay pressed down - perhaps because the tape button is missing? I have tried to take it off tape with a screwdriver but that hasn't worked.

Is there an easy fix for the record tray misalignment at the bottom?

 

[floyd]

i have spare selector switch covers . it'll take few days to take em' out.

 

[laminatorious]

i have spare selector switch covers . it'll take few days to take em' out.

That would be great if I could get one from you Floyd. I'll PM you.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Thank you for the reply boomboxlover

It's encouraging to hear that it may well be restorable.

It powers up just fine and the levels are lighting up when I hit play on the tape but no sound. I'm not presently able to test the radio as it's stuck on tape. The other function buttons won't stay pressed down - perhaps because the tape button is missing? I have tried to take it off tape with a screwdriver but that hasn't worked.

Is there an easy fix for the record tray misalignment at the bottom?

The misalignment can be easily fixed. We have to open the box carefully and remove the turntable assembly. Be very careful not to damage the play back stylus assembly and cables that move the stylus assembly. Follow the instructions in the disassembly document step by step. It is easy to break the power switch so be extra careful. Once you remove the turn table with the PC board you will be able to see the two helical bottom springs where the whole unit rests on two half inch diameter finger like projections at the base. This is from where it got kicked out.

You can reach from the bottom also without opening the unit to align it. It is a little tricky but it can be done. Buy all the belts for the unit and Deoxit to clean all the contacts to start the work. I would put painters tape on areas where it can get scratches during the disassembly especially on the sides of the turn table door. The hinges can come out and scratch the sides.

You can fix it all up and all it matters is lots of patience. I completely fixed one unit with only one channel working and a turntable with issues. I got parts from our good members here.

 

[floyd]

one thing about the vz if the selector switches are dirty or bound up almost no sound comes out . also the external speaker jack gets dirty and can affect the output as well.

 

[laminatorious]

You're going to find this really funny and probably think I'm super stupid to boot but I just realised that the speaker switch at the back was set to external!

Put it on internal the tape is playing just fine!

All the more reason to get this think working 100%!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

one thing about the vz if the selector switches are dirty or bound up almost no sound comes out . also the external speaker jack gets dirty and can affect the output as well.

That is very correct!
For the same reason I mentioned to do a cleaning with Deoxit. You have to vigorously clean all those selector switches with Deoxit. Once you open up the unit you will learn where to squirt it to clean the sliding contacts switches make when you move them. Years of oxidation and grime on them will make it lose all conductivity and signal transfer as well depending on the function.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

You're going to find this really funny and probably think I'm super stupid to boot but I just realised that the speaker switch at the back was set to external!

Put it on internal the tape is playing just fine!

All the more reason to get this think working 100%!

Great News! Now you can slowly work on it to make it all fully functional.
Good luck! There are lots of knowledgeable members here and can be of help. A good majority of collectors here got a VZ2000.

It is pure fun!

 

[Beosystem10]

Deoxit

We don't get that here, other than at stupidly inflated cost from eBay sellers across the water. So use Servisol S10. Available from your local Maplin, SEF or CEF depending on what part of the UK you stay.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

We don't get that here, other than at stupidly inflated cost from eBay sellers across the water. So use Servisol S10. Available from your local Maplin, SEF or CEF depending on what part of the UK you stay.

My mistake! Pardon me!

I never knew he is from UK.

Thanks John.

 

[Beosystem10]

Royce, I was deducing the O/P's location based on the description of where he found the VZ; a car boot sale is pretty much a uniquely British name for it, though of course we could be talking about the Isle of Man or the RoI, which would teach me not to jump to conclusions!

 

[laminatorious]

Royce, I was deducing the O/P's location based on the description of where he found the VZ; a car boot sale is pretty much a uniquely British name for it, though of course we could be talking about the Isle of Man or the RoI, which would teach me not to jump to conclusions!

You deduced correctly John. Birmingham (West Mids not Alabama) to be specific. I'll get some Servisol S10 tomorrow. Anything else I need apart from what I'd find in a standard toolkit?

Thanks again for all the excellent advice.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

You deduced correctly John. Birmingham (West Mids not Alabama) to be specific. I'll get some Servisol S10 tomorrow. Anything else I need apart from what I'd find in a standard toolkit?

Thanks again for all the excellent advice.

Glad to know you guys are not far from each other.

Good luck with the project!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Royce, I was deducing the O/P's location based on the description of where he found the VZ; a car boot sale is pretty much a uniquely British name for it, though of course we could be talking about the Isle of Man or the RoI, which would teach me not to jump to conclusions!

 

[laminatorious]

So, after some testing I found that the right channel is not playing sound.

Using the excellent strip down instructions I have taken it to pieces and all went well. Tomorrow I will clean the whole inside and use contact cleaner on the important parts.

The tape button I found in two pieces inside and could glue together, but it's clear now why it's stuck on tape function because the small spring and plastic connector has been snapped off. I'm attaching pictures of my progress and the issue I've encountered. Any ideas how I can solve this?

Thanks guys,

Matt

 

[BoomboxLover48]

I've never seen those crack like that. It surprises me. If you can see the switch from above and if it works by pressing it down there is a way to fix it. I would use the smallest drill bit and drill a hole and suck all the debris while drilling. Then in that hole I would plant a steel pin and glue it there. This pin will be the next connecting piece for a switch head.

The other option is to look for an old part like that.

Let me see if I have one.