Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: sonicus on June 12, 2014, 12:29:43 PM

Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2014, 12:29:43 PM
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/4510399523.html
 
If I am not mistaken our very own Mr. Ron Wickersham modified one of these to great extent  and took it to Europe to record the Grateful Dead. _______Europe 72 was born ! ____Alembic relevance of historical proportions.  
 
We talk about this model and another Ampex relevant topics daily,  on another site that I am a list subscriber to .
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: hifiguy on June 12, 2014, 12:40:44 PM
What a great piece of recording history.  Too bad someone is gonna need a couple of NFL defensive lineman sized guys to move it and the cost of a new Series II to get it back in shape.  
 
Which does not mean at all that someone shouldn't restore this classic.
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: tubeperson on June 12, 2014, 12:49:07 PM
The moving/shipping company could always try to hoist it out of the building through a window, like they do in Brooklyn.
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2014, 01:04:12 PM
I think someone will get to it , although I remember that someone at The Ampex List brought this particular machine to our attention perhaps a few months ago.  I rented a box van  about 6 years ago to pick up an Ampex AG440C 4 half inch machine  300 miles from my house in Northern California . That machine had the much wanted DC servo capstan option and need repair as well . It now sits in my studio functional  after I found the major problem and replaced the servo capstan PCB/ board.___Of all places I found some parts that I needed for it at eBay UK! ____It's a small world after all ___
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2014, 01:08:51 PM
Steve , yes when I was in NYC in the mid 1980s I saw a few cranes with pianos and other large studio gear being transported the such . Quite a sight to see ____
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2014, 01:18:09 PM
Paul ( hifiguy)   Yes , the Ampex MM1000 is quite large .
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: gtrguy on June 13, 2014, 02:12:29 PM
Kinda like moving a Hammond B3, I bet!
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on June 13, 2014, 06:49:33 PM
Kinda like moving a Hammond B3, I bet!
 
Ouch! I once roadied for a band that carried a B-3 & 2 old oak Leslies, all in flight cases; that may have something to do with the fact that I'm having my 2nd back surgery directly (mebbe the act 3 bands before them added to it; we carried a piano with them.)
And to dehijack, I want that recorder (but only if someone else moves it)!
 
Peter
 
Peter
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 14, 2014, 12:39:52 AM
I read a post from a technician that did a service assessment of this machine and he reports that it will need a bit of work .
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: bigredbass on June 14, 2014, 09:25:30 AM
I knew the World was turned over several years ago when I saw a shopper's guide (!) listing for a 2 Studer recorder and a 32-channel SSL board for 20 grand here in Nashville . . . .
 
J o e y
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 14, 2014, 09:51:50 AM
A shoppers guide ___, well then I will take the SSL and the Studer along with my , Turkey Sandwich , But separate bags please , double bag them please,don't want the handles to rip off the bags going up my stairs ! LOL   !   Nashville is full of great gear I have heard _____.  An Studer A827 2 is a fine machine but quite a specialty as far a service goes . My only Studer is a meager B67 in a roll around cabinet , but in awesome condition  and I have an identical parts donor machine.  
 
    Actually that price could be a bargain depending on how much work needs to be done ____
  There is current a market for analog machines such as AMPEX , STUDER, MCI. OTARI. and even SCULLY   for the analog to digital transfer and audio restoration crowd. I have a few examples of such machines and have been fortunate in their acquisition and sale pricing.
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: hifiguy on June 14, 2014, 12:42:18 PM
Lordy lu, there is nothing worse than moving a Hammond organ that has not been cut down.  Even an M-3 weighs a ton.  B3s and C3s could be used as anchors for a decent sized ship.
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: flpete1uw on June 15, 2014, 07:07:03 PM
The only MM 1000 multitrack I had the privilege to hear and record was a 16 trk 2. Warm and sweet sounding.  
These guys are so big and heavy, maybe if I removed my couches and dining area I could maybe fit this and maybe a small Neve 8068.  
Home is what you make of it right?
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: hammer on June 15, 2014, 07:41:37 PM
I played in a band in CT years ago that practiced at the keyboardist's home. It was 79 steps from the basement where we practiced to the street. Hammond B3 and 2 Leslie's hauled up and down those stairs every weekend. I can attest to the weight of each piece of equipment. Luckily we were a 7 piece horn band. Since the horns didn't play every song as we did but received an equal split  we made them do the heavy lifting.
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: sonicus on June 15, 2014, 08:01:59 PM
Pete,   I had an Ampex AG440B full track roll around in the dining room for a short time .  I had to remove it sooner then later as per upper management( my Wife).
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: gtrguy on June 16, 2014, 09:25:47 AM
I have a friend who gigs all the time with his B3 ansd a leslie 145. The B3 is on the wood dolly (permantly) and he moves it by himself!
 
I have moved a few and it is not fun.
Title: Ampex MM1000 2" 16-track tape machine
Post by: mike1762 on June 20, 2014, 04:58:52 PM
I met Ike Stubblefield a few years ago.  He has a BUNCH of B3s that he keeps stored all over the world.  Whenever he does a gig, he just pulls the nearest one out of storage!!!