Hoping this is the correct place to post this, couldn't really find anything else that was relevant in the forums.
I've recently inherited an Hitachi Tape Recorder TRQ-737, just wondering if this has any value at all or whether I should send it off to the landfill. Thanks!
We don't have many, may be none except me who know much about the reel to reel era.
Having said that reelers are a definite force in the vintage audio fraternity.
I think this is your recorder.
I suppose you don't know if this is a working machine? Working does mean the lights go on. In fact almost all reel to reel machines need the restorers hand.
Now this is a machine I never new existed. It seems to be rare. So rarity may attract a collector but will make parts a nightmare.
The good features about this machine, is that it has separate record and Playback heads. So off tape monitoring is possible.
The bad news its is a one motor machine and not a three motor machine. This usually makes fast forward and rewind a pain.
It is a 7,1/2" machine and not 10,1/2".
These machines are used mainly for playback of 1/4" four track tapes which this machine will play those as it is 1/4 track.
The machine is auto reverse which is not good as it leads to tape skew problems. However that was true of all but the higher priced machines.
There is no longer fresh tape available for these machines. So tape comes up now and then and goes for a fortune. Fortunately I still have a good stack of virgin tape.
Now there is a shortage of machines for those interested who want to get into this hobby.
These congregate on
tapeheads,net
I would make inquiries on that forum. You might even get an offer to purchase.
My view is that this is not a sought after machine like a Revox, Tascam or Otari.
My feeling is that is you put it up on eBay starting at $90, it will fetch $100 to $200.
If this were known to be in perfect working order, may be double that.
Let is know how you get on.
