Akai 1721L Reel to Reel Recorder

I bought this unit without any idea of its condition or whether it even worked. But after researching this and similar models, I wasn’t too surprised to find the usual issues: crackly, oxidized potentiometers, a noisy motor, and the all-too-familiar amplifier hum. On top of that, the cabinet, roller, and heads were covered in grime.

The first step was to take it apart. I dismantled the chassis, thoroughly cleaned all the visible components, replaced the bands and pinch roller, and treated the potentiometers with contact cleaner. While this improved things, the persistent amplifier hum remained, likely due to deeper issues in the built-in circuitry.

With my electronics skills only going so far, I decided to pass the unit on to a collector and engineer in the southwest, who fully restored it to working order.