first thing to do is remove the head block and send off to JRF for inspection. Really depends on the age and model. The MTRs are getting old enough a recap of at least the power supply may be good. On the MX 5050s there was a mk1, mk2 and mk3. The latest mk3 may only need a head inspection, oil the capstan motor and pinch roller and clean a few pots. The earlier models may need a bit more. In the Pacific NW Reeltoreeltech.com is quite good.
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I can recommend Andrew at Funktional Technologies in Brooklyn, NY, who serviced my Otari MX5050 1/4” 4 track a few years back. There was a fee of $150 to go through the machine to generate what might be needed. Once I agreed and go ahead with the repair, the estimate fee was applied to the cost. Labor was $150/ hour with a 2 hour minimum. |
If you are on the east coast another great person is Ryan at reel to reel tech. He is wealth of info on open reel decks and tape. https://reeltoreelhaven.com/collections/decks
On a 5050 BII, the two first steps should be to pop the head block off and send to JRF. 2. remove the pinch roller and send to terrysrubberrollers.com and get a fresh tire. As davidchampa noted, the labor to go through a deck is not going to be inexpensive. I have gone through 4 5050s. Some needed a complete recap others really only needed the pots cleaned. The other area to look for are the relays which usually either have to be cleaned or replaced. The 5050 machines are so well built once you go through them, I can't imagine anyone wearing them out in home use.
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