If you plan to rebuild vintage Ampexes, make a note of the following sources. Though I have dealt with many of these vendors, I have no connection with any of them other than having been a satisfied customer.
All entries are in alphabetical order, by category. No qualitative ranking is intended or implied.
Note to overseas readers: most toll-free numbers (800 or 888 area codes) are not accessible outside the United States. Some may be accessible to those calling from Canada.
To add vendors to this list, please email Howard Sanner who will forward the information to me. I will revise this list when there are significant changes. Thanks. (You may email me also, but I tend to switch email providers periodically and by the time you read this, my address may have changed.)
All information on this list is Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 by David Dintenfass, all rights reserved. However, it may be copied and transmitted freely if used to restore tape recorders. Selling this information is prohibited.
Flux Magnetics
Oakley, CA 94561
Voice: (925) 679-9406
Products: Manufactures replacement heads for Ampex and other recorders.
Contact: Greg Orton
Source: Russ Bleakley
Comments: "highly recommended" says Russ.
IEM (International Electro-Magnetics, Inc)
350 North Eric Drive
Palatine, IL 60067
Voice: (847) 358-4622; (800) 227-4323 (toll free)
Fax: (847) 358-4623
Contact: Tony Pretto
Products: Manufactures replacement heads for Ampex and other recorders.
Also makes custom heads and relapps your old heads.
Source: David Dintenfass
Comments: "IEM has been around for a while; many of the multi-track Ampexes had IEM heads. They make a very nice head at a fair price" -- Dave Dintenfass
JRF Magnetics
249 Kennedy Rd.
Greendell, NJ 07839
Voice: (973) 579-5773
Fax: (973) 579-6021
Email JRF Magnetics
JRF's web site
Contact: John French
Products: Manufactures replacement heads for Ampex and other recorders.
Also makes custom heads and relaps your old heads. Dealer for
Flux Magnetics (q.v.) heads. Builds kits to convert 1/4" Ampex
decks to 1/2" decks. Converts other manufacturers' transports
(e.g., Studer) to work with Ampex electronics. Says John French,
"I love doing that kind of work!"
Source: various
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R.B. Annis Co., Inc.
1101 N. Delaware St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Voice: (317) 637-9282
Fax: (317) 637-9282
Cash or check, no credit cards.
Han-D-Mag demagnetizer, magnetometer probe, and accessories.
Source: various
This is a reasonably priced unit that will last a lifetime, and it's far more powerful than most handheld demaggers. If you're feeling flush, you can drop $100 for their kit, which included the demagger, a jeweled-bearing magnetometer, and some test strips that you can use to practice your demagnetizer techique.
Disclaimer: The usefulness of the magnetometer may be limited to larger transport parts that have been accidentally magnetized by contact with magnetized tools or by exposure to magnetizing fields. Jay McKnight has suggested that detection of magnetized heads with the Annis magnetometer is unlikely given the relatively large size of the clip-on magnetometer probe.
--dave dintenfass"Now that I'm getting ready to work with my analog recordings for the first time in a decade, I realized I needed a head demagnetizer... My old Han-D-Mag is in storage in New Delhi, of all places.
"So I called up RB Annis Co in Indianapolis. Phone was answered by RB himself, who still runs the business, and is now 90 years of age! A few days later my Han-D-Mag arrived, much the same price as the one I bought in the 70s (now they are $33 plus $3 shipping)."
--David Lewiston
Back to Table of ContentsBay Area Studio Engineering (BASE)
Contact: Michael Gore
Email Bay Area Studio Engineering
BASE's web site
He says he has many parts for 440s, MM1000, MM1100, and some parts for ATR-100s.
Source: email from Michael Gore.
Courthouse Facilities
Voice: 33 (0) 238 974 631
Fax: 33 (0) 238 974 792
Contact: Tony Arnold
Courthouse Facilities web site
Source: email from Tony Arnold.
"Without doubt my company 'Courthouse Facilities' have the largest stock of Ampex Spares in Europe.... We hold a good stock of [Flux Magnetics] heads, and we most likely have the one of the largest stocklists of Ampex ATR-124 spares in the world."
Full-Track Productions
Seattle, Washington
(206) 784-6963 voice/fax
Contact: David Dintenfass
New manufacture replacement reelturntable pads for Ampex recorders. Fresh cork/rubber material is identical to original pad material. 350-style fits Ampex 300, 400, 350, 351, 354 machines; 440-style fits Ampex AG-350 and 440 machines. Gasket cement or spray adhesive required.
Also offers rebuilding and repair service for older Ampex machines (mono and stereo only, no multi-track). Other services include economical head-lapping service and ultrasonic cleaning and lubrication of scrape-flutter idlers.
Disclaimer: David Dintenfass is the compiler of this list of parts sources.
Meritron Inc.
Voice: (905) 940-5111
Fax: (905) 940-5110
"100's of Ampex replacement parts (some very rare items)."
Source: email from Dave Wilkerson.
Sowter Audio Transformers
E.A. Sowter Ltd.
The Boatyard
Cullingham Rd.
Ipswich IP1 2EG
England
Voice: +44 (0) 1962 620135
Fax: +44 (0) 1962 870299
Email Sowter Audio Transformers
Sowter's web site
Manufactures replacement output transformers for the Ampex 351.
Source: Brian Sowter
Sprague Magnetics
12806 Bradley Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
Voice: (818) 364-1800
Email Sprague Magnetics
Sprague's web site
Sprague bought out most of Ampex's stock of parts when Ampex decided to get out of the audio tape recorder racket.
Source: Howard Sanner
TSI (Technical Services Inc.)
107 S. Prindle
P.O. Box 765
Arlington Heights, IL 60006-0765
Voice: (847) 392-2958
Contact: Vern Sauer.
In addition to his parts stock, he is very qualified and helpful. He is a former Ampex service person.
The retrofit pinch roller for 350s and 440s that he stocks is excellent, permitting a significantly lower flutter measurement on my 354 than an unused ("new, old stock") original Ampex part.
Source: Lowell Cross
(Editor's note: Howard Sanner adds that TSI carries "parts and manuals for Ampex audio tape decks and 1" industrial video equipment.")
Back to Table of ContentsAt this time, all of the OEM manufacturers of Ampex capstan motors are still in business. While it might be easier and less expensive to obtain replacement bearings locally, you might try the original motor manufacturers if you need additional parts.
I have included Beau Motors on this list because many Ampex transports were retrofitted with Beau motors. (This is the so-called "pancake" or "inside-out" motor.)
Ashland Electric Products Inc.
10 Industrial Way, P.O. Box 1380
Rochester, NH 03866-1380
Tel: 603-335-1100
Fax: 603-335-1120
Beau Motors Div.
Manger Engineering Inc.
1 Bethmour Rd.
Bethany, CT 06524
Shipping Address:
Beau Motors
79 Rossotto Drive,
Hamden, CT 06514
Tel: 203-288-9351
Fax: 203-735-4543
Bodine Electric Co.
2500 W. Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60618
Tel: 800-7-BODINE (726-3463)
Fax: 773-478-3232
Email Bodine
Bodine's web site
Eastern Air Devices, Inc.
1 Progress Dr., Dept. 100
Dover, NH 03820
Tel: 603-742-3330
Fax: 603-742-9080
Email Eastern Air
Devices
Eastern Air Devices' web
site
Electric Indicator Co., Inc.
272 Main Ave.
Norwalk, CT 06851
Tel: 203-847-5861
Fax: 203-846-3933
NOTE: If you own an Ampex 300-series recorder (or anything based on the 300-series transport), please read this!
One of the biggest drawbacks to the Ampex 300 transport (and other Ampex machines that used a similar transport, such as 3200 duplicators) was the indirect capstan drive. In this design, the motor was on a pivot and a solenoid pulled the motor pulley into the side of the rubber-coated flywheel. When new, these machines had lower flutter than the transports with direct capstan drive (400/350/351/440 machines) but poorer speed accuracy -- in fact, to adjust speed, you were supposed to use a strobe wheel and then adjust the amount of "dig" into the flywheel rubber to trim the speed! However, this transport design ages badly. Once the rubber hardens (often, you get dents in the rubber if the transport is stored vertically and the motor pulley allowed to rest on the rubber) the flutter goes up tremendously. That's why radio stations (and other users who were more concerned about smooth, reliable operation than absolute rock-bottom flutter figures) converted their 300 transports to direct capstan drive; reportedly, there were aftermarket retrofit kits at one time (though so far as we can determine, Ampex did not offer such kits).
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Metal Rubber Company
1225 S. Shamrock
Monrovia, CA 91016
Voice: (626) 358-3274
Cash or check, no credit cards.
Contact: Fred Alvarez.
Notes: Call Fred first, then send the part -- please include the Ampex part number, if you know it. Fred recommends (in the strongest possible terms) recapping parts with the original type of rubber, not urethane. He says that has far more affect on performance than the durometer (hardness) of the rubber.
Source: Howard Sanner
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Russell Industries (formerly Russell/PRB; formerly Premium Parts + Electronics Company; formerly Projector Record Belt Co.)
3000 Lawson Blvd.
Oceanside, N.Y. 11572
Order Line: (800) 645-2202
Replacement and custom belts and idler pucks for turntables, tape recorders, and projectors. Good source for belts (both round and flat) for portable professional machines (600 series and PR-10/AG-500 series). Also has belt kits for the consumer machines.
Source: David Dintenfass
Star Packaging, LLC.
1065 Universal Blvd.
Whitewater, WI 53190
Voice: (414) 473-6466
Attn: Allen Petrie
VIF Parts and Services
151 Tarocco
Irvine, Calif.92618-0312
Voice/fax: (949) 651-9074
Contact: Mr. Felipe Cervantes Sr.
They carry the VIF hold-downs and pinch wheel assemblies for 1/4- and 1/2-inch Ampex machines that we all know and love. Additionally, they sell new pinch wheel assemblies for the Ampex MM1000, MM1100 and MM1200 machines.
VIF has an excellent pinch-wheel assembly for Ampex 300/350/351/354/440-series machines and duplicator transports; this features a "floating" ball-bearing assembly which lessens tape skewing (a leading cause of azimuth instability).
Other services include refurbing of Ampex and Scully capstan motors, tape head relapping, and pinch wheel regrinding! They also carry Saki heads and new and used tape duplicating equipment (masters, slaves, and parts).
Voice: (847) 965-7020
Contact: John Warmack
Parts and service for Ampex audio--specializing in consumer products. Most parts stock, including heads and motors. Many trim parts still available. Operator and service manuals for both pro and consumer models. John is a former Ampex Service Company employee, and knows much of the history of the consumer audio machines.
Source: Arlynn Warmack
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Athan Corporation
50 South Linden Ave., #10
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Voice: (415) 589-5206
Email Athan Corporation
Athan's website
Ampex parts (including retrofit polyurethane ATR-100 capstans, 350/440 pinch rollers) and repair services. I spoke with a receptionist; no contact name given.
Source: Lowell Cross
ATR Service Company
2101 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 23
York, PA 17404
Voice: (717) 852-7700
Fax: (717) 852-7755
Email ATR Service Company
ATR Service Company's website
Contact: Michael Spitz (former Ampex service rep.)
Restoration of ATR-100s (primarily), MM-1000s, MM-1100s & MM-1200s. Parts, including Flux Magnetics(TM) replacement heads for most Ampex machines in various track configurations. Specializes in polyurethane capstan assemblies for ATR-100s.
Source: Lowell Cross
Audio Village
PO Box 2902
Palm Springs, CA 92263-2902
Voice: (760) 320-0728
Fax: (760) 320-2454
Email Audio Village
Audio Village's website
Contact: Wayne Gunn
Vintage Ampex (and other) recording equipment and used parts.
Source: Wayne Gunn
Boynton Studio, Inc.
PO Box 130
Morris, NY 13808-0130
Voice: (607) 263-5695
Machines and parts. Also tape and other professional and broadcast equipment.
Source: Howard Sanner
[Editor's note: It's been my experience that Boynton's used equipment is vastly overpriced; your mileage may vary.]
Clarence Kane
Enak Microphone Repair
420 Carrew Avenue
Pittman, NJ 08071
Voice: (856) 589-6186
Contact: Clarence Kane (former RCA microphone technician)
Repair and refurbishment of RCA ribbon microphones. ["I've dealt with Mr. Kane and can highly recommend him" -- Dave Dintenfass)]
Source: Dave Dintenfass
Dick Gardner
7024 Jocelyn Ave S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016-3640
Voice: (612) 458-1193
Microphone repair for Shure ribbon microphones (ribbon mikes only; Shure Bros. will repair most models of dynamic microphones)
Source: Scott Dorsey
Magnetic Reference Laboratory (MRL)
229 Polaris Ave, Suite 4
Mountain View, CA 94043
Voice: (650) 965-8187
Fax: (650) 965-8548
Email MRL
MRL's web site
Studio-quality alignment tapes. If you have access to a real-time octave analyzer, you can set playback EQ quickly using MRL's pink-noise tapes. They also have white-noise tapes and the standard multifrequency test tone tapes.
All of MRL's literature -- including the 12-page technical booklet "Choosing and Using MRL Calibration Tapes for Audio Tape Recorder Standardization (Version 5, 1997-04)" -- is available as Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files on the MRL website. (Note: "Adobe" and "Acrobat" are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.)
Source: David Dintenfass with additional information from Jay McKnight
MDI Precision/PrecisionMotorWorks
241 White Pond Rd.
Hudson, MA 01749
Voice: (978) 562-4420
Fax: (978) 568-1887
Email MDI Precision/PrecisionMotorWorks
MDI Precision/PrecisionMotorworks web site
Motion control products & services all brands of tape transports--Analog & Digital. Motor rebuilding to "purr-fection [sic]." Custom machining, modification, and format conversion. Complete machine remanufacturing & sales--all brands. Specializing in Ampex ATR-100's. Until our website is up, please E-mail us for downloadable PDF files !
Source: Jeff Gilman, MDI Precision/PrecisionMotorWorks
George Rehklau
527 N. Linder Rd.
Meridian, ID 83642
Voice: (208) 887-5695
Former Ampex engineer. Regrinds capstan idlers and rebuilds capstan motors. Best to call mornings Mountain time. Rehklau is one of the heavy-duty Ampex people from the heyday of the company.
Source: Howard Sanner
Back to Table of ContentsI have never dealt with George Rehklau or Sprague and have no connection with any of the others except as a satisfied customer. (I have talked to Mr. Rehklau, however, and he was most helpful in resolving the problem I was having!) How Sprague's parts stock overlaps with Vern Sauer's, if at all, I don't know. Howard Sanner
As editor of this parts list, my opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of my employer or of other contributors to this list.
Back to Table of ContentsOriginal HTML markup: 25 Jun 98; revised 15 Sep 2001.