I have had an Otari MX5050 in my closet for years, and now that i have access to some free cables, I've decided to try to work it into my system.

Downside is that it's been in my closet for years (maybe 10-12) and hasn't been really used. The one rubbery-coated wheel that (I think) feeds the tape from the heads to the take-up reel is all bitched up.

My question is this: Is the machine worth the trouble? If so, what do you think i should do/have done to get it back into shape?

Thanks in advance!

regarding the roller, if you can't find a spare one somewhere have a look at www.terrysrubberrollers.com . he can make one up for you from scratch. since parts are pretty scarce here in australia (or pretty much non-existant) i got him to make me a new counter roller for my msr24. it's pretty nice, and it was in my hands pretty quickly.

as you're in the US you might have better luck just finding spare parts - though i guess there's a decent chance those parts will also be pretty old and therefore might go to goo in the not-too-distant future.

I would say it is worth it. Nice, easy to use tape machine. Why not?

Thanks a million for the tip on Terry's. I found the roller elsewhere on the web for $120, and he's redoing mine for $40!

I found a local place that will clean and align the machine for $100, so I'll soon be all set.

Thanks again for the advice. if anybody needs to track drums, and will be in PA, let me know. I'll need some practice figuring this thing out.

Peace out yo.

this fellow very kindly uploaded a great alignment procedure instruction manual for the MX5050:
http://dkse.net/pdf.html
i found it very useful.
incidentally, i love my mx-5050 bii.

ethyrvalve wrote:this fellow very kindly uploaded a great alignment procedure instruction manual for the MX5050:
http://dkse.net/pdf.html
i found it very useful.
incidentally, i love my mx-5050 bii.

thank you ethyrvalve, and david kulka of burbank california.