Any 8 track player Gurus out there??
 

OK, so I have 2 home 8 track players. One plays nice but the balance does not work. It only plays thru the right speaker. This is an NOS unit.

The other is a newer, used unit that sounds great and plays thru both speakers but the tape sounds like the Chipmunks are singing like the tape is moving to quickly.

Any ideas what may be going on with these units???

Much appreciated...

Rich

There’s a screw to adjust the speed on them. Small screw on top. You can still buy the belts too. I went through mine a while ago.
Unless you have A Alvin 8track in.
Did you try turning the balance on it?

How does the left speaker cone look? both wires connected,or is it cracked,smashed etc?
Sounds like you might have an old belt,(they do shrink & can cause em to run fast), or even the wrong belt might have been installed on the 8tk drive wheel by someone.
Not all,but some of those decks do have a speed adjustment also.
What brand & model are we talking here?

Thanks Burd, any idea where the speed screw is??

I had a Styx 8 track in there, not Alvin, but Dennis DeYoung sounded like Alvin LOL...

Rich

The one that is running fast is a Soundesign. Speakers are brand new Polk speakers and wiring is all good and new.

Rich

I figured out what happened to the Soundesign unit. It ate an old Fleetwood Mac tape of mine and I thought I had all the tape out of the machine but there was a small amount wrapped around the capstan. I saw it with a flashlight and had to pull it out with needle nose pliers. I guess this will cause the machine to speed up. You learn something new every day even when it comes to old technology. LOL...

Thanks for the responses. Rich

On the GM ones there is a screw on the top. I can’t remember if you have to take the top cover off or no, well good deal you fixed it. SPECMO her in the D used to carry parts, I’m not sure if they still do, that’s where I bought the belts, bulbs, the lady showed me a nOS face fir my 8 track, I couldn’t be,ieve it, $10 for the whole face. Lmao.

Thanks Burd...

The other unit is an Electrophonic. This is an NOS unit that plays well just only through one speaker. The balance does not work. Don't know whats up with that. A friend told me that maybe the balance knob is dirty.

Rich

Is it a Morse Electrophonic?

Rick, it's a Solid State.

Rich