Do any of you lateral thinkers have any suggestions on how to easily reload the tape loop cartridge for a Maestro Echoplex?

The method I have used (successfully) has been simply to remove the cover of the cartridge, remove the old loop and then manually wind on a new length of 1/4" tape.

I've found this method to be laborious and tricky. Can anyone suggest a method that might save me time and effort?

Just outta curiosity, how often do you have to do this?

I don't actually own the Echoplex. A friend bought it and had me service it. Among other things, the existing tape loop was twisted, so I needed to replace it.

How often I will need to replace the loop on his machine, I'm not sure. He does have a habit of destroying gear.

Dunlap sells replacement carts and the little copper lever with felt on it. Look carefully at how it is threaded even take a picture before you take it off. Clean the heads with (head cleaning achol and qtips.) replace the tape. Do not loose the two thumb screws. Check the rubber capstan to see if it needs replaceing. The guy who invented the echoplex sold better carts than the dunlap he died in the last few months the family will be selling the tapes again in June I think. Just google it or pm me.

Thanks, Stephen Anderson and Big John.

I was using BASF 911, so I guess I'll have to be on the lookout for some lubricated tape stock.

Perhaps it is easier to purchase the Dunlap carts.

I think you can get the Battles (inventor of the echoplex) tapes for around $50 and the Dunlap are less. They seem to be not to hard to order on line.

Battles had a web site if you want to Google it.

The Dunlap tapes seem to be of the same quality as the origional tapes for the echoplex (the cart lubricated tape - 8 track type) brown. I had a cart made from some kind of ampex at some point and it sounded great but did not last too long.