QUESTION: Cassette Deck Head Replacement

[Lasonic TRC-920]

OK, I have a GF-777Z and on Tape Deck 1 the head is clearly warn out. I have tried cleaning it, used Alcohol and a cassette deck cleaner, but it's just done. It plays but it very dull in sound quality.

SO, Can I just swap in a head from another deck?

Can I put any head in from any deck?

Are the 777 deck heads special / unique to this radio?

Has anyone here swapped out just the heads?

Can I buy NEW heads any where?

 

[oldskool69]

I would imagine that heads from a wrecker 777 should be obtainable. If not, many of the Sharps used common heads so it should be like water in a desert type hunting.

BTW...rec/pb or play only head? (Can't remeber which is which.)

 

[Radio raheem]

If its the playback head i recommend ajusting the azimuth screws first they may be out of alighnment, failing that yup new head

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

I would imagine that heads from a wrecker 777 should be obtainable. If not, many of the Sharps used common heads so it should be like water in a desert type hunting.

BTW...rec/pb or play only head? (Can't remeber which is which.)

Deck 1 is play back only.

If its the playback head i recommend ajusting the azimuth screws first they may be out of alighnment, failing that yup new head

I will try that. Not sure which screws those are. I will take a look right now

 

[Radio raheem]

I would imagine that heads from a wrecker 777 should be obtainable. If not, many of the Sharps used common heads so it should be like water in a desert type hunting.

BTW...rec/pb or play only head? (Can't remeber which is which.)

Deck 1 is play back only.

If its the playback head i recommend ajusting the azimuth screws first they may be out of alighnment, failing that yup new head

I will try that. Not sure which screws those are. I will take a look right now

there are 2 screw holes at the bottom of each of the cassette doors i think its the right hand side you need to ajust, failing that just fiddle round with both screws, like i said if it dosent improve you may need new heads, i should think the heads of something like a sharp 575 would work, and these can be had reasnobly cheap.....

 

[oldskool69]

...BTW...rec/pb or play only head? (Can't remeber which is which.)

Cool. PB only on Deck 1. And of course you know I meant to say not like hunting water in a desert.

The two screws you are looking for are just beneath the head. As a matter of fact, if your doors were mounted you would see two little holes to poke the screwriver through to adjust at the bottom. You must adjust with the door assembly that holds te casette insatled as it affects how your cassette wil actually seat during playback. Make slight adjustments with the screws. Do not turn more than 180 degrees either way. Any more than that and you've effectively loosend or overtightened. If the sound still isn't right, you can replace the heads. However, to really know if it's lined up right you'll need an azimuth testing cassette amongst other items to know you got it just right.

Or yo can do what most will and let your ears tell you.

Speaking of aforementioned doors, do they mount up and latch correctly?

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

...BTW...rec/pb or play only head? (Can't remeber which is which.)

Cool. PB only on Deck 1. And of course you know I meant to say not like hunting water in a desert.

The two screws you are looking for are just beneath the head. As a matter of fact, if your doors were mounted you would see two little holes to poke the screwriver through to adjust at the bottom. You must adjust with the door assembly that holds te casette insatled as it affects how your cassette wil actually seat during playback. Make slight adjustments with the screws. Do not turn more than 180 degrees either way. Any more than that and you've effectively loosend or overtightened. If the sound still isn't right, you can replace the heads. However, to really know if it's lined up right you'll need an azimuth testing cassette amongst other items to know you got it just right.

Or yo can do what most will and let your ears tell you.

Speaking of aforementioned doors, do they mount up and latch correctly?

Hey Guys, thanks for the info,

The doors do close correctly, but like most of these 777's the hinge is a bit warn. But when closed they seem to be seated correctly.

I figured I would know if I hear it. The sound quality is pretty dull, so any improvement should make a huge difference. I'm tinkering with it right now, I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

OK, I did tinker with head adjustment on both decks, but I broke out my camera with a super zoom lens and you can see the head is toast! I guess I'm off to the "Wanted" page to post a new thread!

 

[Fatdog]

DAMN!

It appears that someone tried to clean it with a flat-head screwdriver.

I might have a playback head I can send you. It came off an old Sharp RT-10 cassette deck.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

DAMN!

It appears that someone tried to clean it with a flat-head screwdriver.

I might have a playback head I can send you. It came off an old Sharp RT-10 cassette deck.

Hey Fatdog,

That would be awesome, let me know what you want for it!

Below are Tape Deck 2's playback and record head. They look decent. It sounds good. So I guess I'll leave them in. I have never recorded with this unit. But I am going to try.

BTW, thanks for having the Service Manual for this radio available. I just downloaded and printed it! I sure with there was one for my TRC-920. I may have to ask Lasonic for that!