Full monty overhaul kit for Revox 36 series

FULL MONTY comprehensive electronic and mechanical overhaul kit

Upgrade Kit for Revox 36 series tape recorders.

G36  F36  E36  D36  C36  B36  A36

 What's the meaning of the phrase 'The Full Monty'? Complete, the whole thing. The phrase made popular from the 1997 smash hit comedy drama film of the same name. However it probably originated in about 1907 from the bespoke tailoring business in Sheffield of Sir Montague Burton, where the term was used to describe a complete three-piece suit.

Over the years customers have asked for a full kit instead of ordering individual sub kits. They also have tended to ask advice on what they should do to fully overhaul and restore their tape machines. So this is what I recommend and if a machine comes into our workshop THIS FULL SET OF KITS is what we fit. It takes into account the most likely components mechanically and electrically that may have degraded over the many years due to sitting idle or being over-worked. So, if you want to service, restore or overhaul your machine as completely as you can, this is what I recommend. Without wishing to seem that its just a 'sales spiel', of course individual sub kits are always available on their own. Please refer to the listings under the specific model section of my store. Please also see the precise details of each sub kit under its listing if you require more information on any particular sub kit.

THE FULL MONTY. A set of applicable sub kits typically containing:

• Electronic Capacitor, rectifier and Trimmer replacement kit. 

• Motor overhaul kit for 3 motors including appropriate lubricant, washers, shims, motor couplings. As appropriate bearings, circlips and lubricant/s for all three motors. 

• Pinch Roller kit. - pinch roller with appropriate low friction PTFE washers and metal shims.

• New RCA Sockets Replace those ugly tarnished and faulty RCA sockets. 

• Tape counter belt s

• Globes for the VU / Power / end of tape 

• Separate Nagravox service sheet manuals detailing how to do it all. Lots of pictures before / after, suggestions, updates, troubleshooting.

• Support service to help you in case you have questions, problems, comments. 

In house we MAKE the large triple can HT and LT capacitors ourselves using low leakage  conservatively rated capacitance and working voltage electrolytic capacitors sourced from reliable OEM's.  HT are rated 450 VDC and LT 63VDC. We also increase the capacitance slightly to provide improved power supply smoothing. (why - because its a prudent practice and will improve ripple, hum and noise). These capacitors fit directly in place exactly like the originals and the cases are fully insulated (the common -ve rail point is linked to the 4 mounting tabs)

• The audio signal path capacitors are specially selected low noise, low leakage / high stability types and fit in easily on the point to point wiring terminal board.

• A specially designed piggy back printed circuit board is provided with new silicon bridge rectifiers for the 3 power supplies. These replace the very suspect selenium rectifiers which should be replaced due to old age . CAUTION  fumes given off by old selenium rectifiers when they go faulty are very toxic.  The PCB mounts neatly simply drilling  3 x 3mm holes in the chassis. See the before and after pics below.

• As silicon rectifiers are more efficient than the old selenium type, a higher rectified output voltage results.  This requires dropper resistors to limit working voltage back to normal values.  These resistors have been carefully calculated, selected AND tested (mounted in situ on the PCB with the rectifiers) to reduce voltages to normal working levels.

• we supply  and  recommend  all suppression components are changed - single capacitors and rectifiers on switching assembly. These are often the cause of smoking and arced contacts.

• ALL our motor capacitors are specially made for Revox and Studer tape recorders to our design specifications.

• Is your machine 60hz?  Some later G36's were specifically made for the N American market with special 60 hz motors and have different motor capacitors - select 60hz OEM. Other machines were converted 50hz machines using modified capacitors  or if you have a 50hz machine and want to convert it to 60hz - select 50hz operating at 60hz    One is not better than the other and the factory supplied both.  The easiest way to determine this is to look at your reel motors.  They have the hz stamped in black ink on the rotating rotors.   All 60 hz operating machines whether converted 50hz or 60hz MUST have a capstan shaft that is 3.0mm diameter. (50 hz is 3.6mm). Check!  If you need to convert your shaft - we can help - contact us.

• a very comprehensive service and repair manual (we call them service sheets) are included as a separate request and download. These have many detailed pictures ,diagrams and "how to do tips".

• you are not alone! If you run into problems or have a query we provide free email support and help guide you through any issues. Skype and Facetime support also provided.  I am committed to help you restore and get your machine working like it should.

Full instructions for each functional update section are included with pictures before and after detailing  which components go where and a host of useful tips, checks and basic calibration. Note that for some models, notably A-C36 (mono self contained tape recorders no line out), the original rectifiers are separately mounted in different locations. Our PCB combines these onto 1 board which can be mounted in a convenient location with some wires having to be extended (there is plenty of room available). In these cases extension wire and systolex included.

Different models take some different components and most importantly different motor capacitors.  PLEASE CHECK and add a message to your order.  Open up your machine and see what capacitors are fitted or what capacitors are specified in the printing on the motors. There were many variations and the only definitive way is for YOU to check. Below is a guide only!

• B36, A36 - capstan have  4.5 uf reel motors capacitors and  2uf capstan capacitor.  50hz

• F36, E36, D36, C36, capstan have  3uf reel motors capacitors and  2uf capstan capacitor.  50hz

• G36 Mk1 or Mk2 or early Mk3 50hz have  3uf reel motors capacitors and  2uf capstan capacitor  

• G36 Mk1 or Mk2 or C-F36 that are 50hz operating at  60 hz have 2.5uf reel motors capacitors and  1.5uf capstan capacitor.  

• G36 Mk3 50hz  have 3.5uf reel motors capacitors & 2+0.5uf capstan capacitor. 

• G36 Mk3 OEM 60hz have  3uf reel motors capacitors & 2uf capstan capacitor

• Later G36 Mk3 4/8 pole 50 hz have  3.5uf reel motors capacitors and  2uf capstan capacitor.  

• 6/12 pole motors are high speed for 50 hz have 3.5uf reel motors capacitors & 2+0.5uf capstan capacitor. 

• HS motors or conversions use the similar capacitors as above.

When you order its always a good idea to send me a note of your serial number, the hz stamped on your reel motors, the diameter of your capstan shaft, the poles stamped on the capstan motor and whether you are operating 50 or 60hz or converting to a different hz.