Realistic TR-883 8 Track Stereo Tape Deck - PRO TECH SERVICED - VIDEO DEMO!

Description

Realistic TR-883 8 Track Stereo Tape Deck
EXCELLENT PLUS condition - Fully Functional
Includes 45 Day Warranty
Click on the window below to watch a HD stereo demo of this tape deck
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A quick word about me...
I've serviced and sold
more than
9
50 8 track tape decks here on eBay since 2007.
I receive the highest seller rating eBay offers and I encourage you to check my feedback and read what my customers have said about me and the decks I sell.
I service every deck I sell and back each one up with my own 45-day money back warranty!
Please don't throw away your money on a Square Trade Warranty for a used/refurbished tape deck recommended by other sellers .  If you read the fine print the warranty does not cover any problem in the first 45 days as it is considered an "existing condition" and "not covered."
Why don't they offer a real warranty?  Could it be they don't have confidence in their work?
Without the benefit of "bricks and mortar" to see and touch the deck you're interested in, I include a high definition, stereo video demo of each and every deck I list.
The video demo and the 12 pictures eBay allows me to include in my listing, provide you with a clear visual and aural buying experience.
If you think that's important I encourage you to read on.
Tech Service and Repair
Little known fact...Realistic was just a "ghost" brand used by Radio Shack.  Well respected Japanese companies like Toshiba and Shure actually made a lot of their gear and just slapped on the Realistic nameplate.
So please don't dismiss this deck because of its name.  That would be a mistake.  Instead, make sure you watch the video demo to understand why this deck is one of the biggest "sleepers" on eBay.  You won't get this sound quality in playback and record for this price anywhere else!
I put this TR-883 through its paces during my servicing process.  When I acquired this deck it had three common issues:
- The program change mechanism was jammed and wouldn't budge
- The analog time counter wouldn't work
- Moderate crosstalk between programs
Each of these issues has been repaired.
I replace electronics such as capacitors and transistors when they are faulty.
If they leak, are open or shorted, out they go and in come better than original replacements.
Broken and worn out mechanical parts have been replaced with parts from my extensive used stock.
Solder joints were inspected and redone wherever necessary.
The chassis has been completely cleaned of decades of dirt and debris.
Moving parts were disassembled and cleaned of decades worth of dirt, debris and partially solidified lube.  These parts were then relubed with professional products.
I use
Deoxit to improve performance and reliability.
One of the reasons for the outstanding sound quality in playback and record mode is the condition of the play head.  Take a look.  You can see what it looks like today in picture #11 (any marks on the head in the pic are reflections of the metal chassis below it).
If you're serious about buying a tape deck that'll sound the way it should after you set it all up don't waste your money on a tape deck from another seller who doesn't show you what the play head looks like.
I replaced the drive belt with properly sized new stock to ensure proper playback speed, (pic #12).
Each potentiometer and switch has been cleaned of dust and dirt and then relubed to ensure proper functioning.
The motor has been lubed to ensure proper playback speed.
The tape path is freshly demagnetized for optimal sound quality.
Azimuth and head height settings are now recalibrated to factory standards to prevent crosstalk (hearing two songs or channels at one time)
on properly maintained tapes.
So What is a Properly Maintained or Reconditioned tape?
If you want to enjoy your 8 track listening experience to the fullest extent, please make sure your tapes are properly reconditioned
before
you play them in the deck in this listing!
If you don't properly recondition your tapes as I describe below, you're not going to enjoy what you hear in any deck.
8 track tapes are very old!
They stopped making them between 1985 and 1990, so even the youngest ones are 30 years old!
Unless you're a gambler, there are two parts that you should replace before you play any tape.
The first is the "pressure pad" that holds the tape properly against the head as it passes by.
The second is the silver foil strip that holds the two ends of the tape together.
There are two types of pressure pads.
The best ones have two thin metal arms with felt pads on each flat end.
The second type, and the one used most often by manufacturers is a narrow piece of foam topped with tape.
I've found the first type holds up better although sometimes one or both of the felt pads will fall off and need replacing.
The second type of pressure pad is the one that's almost always worthless when you get a new tape.
Most of these foam pads have disintegrated in place!
Touch 'em and they'll crumble into dust.
Play a tape with a pad like this and you're likely to hear crosstalk, (two songs at once) because the tape isn't properly held against the head as it passes by.
You can replace either type of pressure pad yourself or you can pay someone to fix your tapes.
Search the Internet and you'll find lots of folks selling the parts/service you need.
Each tape deck has a sensor built into the tape path.
When the silver foil strip on your tape passes it, the program change mechanism switches to the next program.
The glue on the underside of that silver foil strip is the only thing holding the two ends of your 8-track tape together
.
What happens to old glue?  It dries up.
When that happens the foil strip gives way and now you have a loose end of tape in your machine.  I can tell you from experience when that happens it often leads to disaster
.  Imagine if this happens when you're playing an extremely rare and valuable tape.  You'll find the silver tape you need to make new foil splices where you find new pressure pads.
Tapes that are still in their original cellophane wrappers and have never been played suffer the same fate!  Remember, they're not really "new," they are 30-50 year old "unused old stock. The pressure pad and foil splice on tapes still in the wrapper will also need replacing, before you play them.
Cosmetic Condition
This is probably thee nicest looking faceplate I've seen on this model in all my years restoring decks.  It's nearly perfect and every bit as nice...even nicer...than it looks in the pictures.  The wood cabinet with vinyl veneer is in near mint condition with one small blemish confined to the lower, back left corner preventing it from being mint.   Please review the pictures and make your own conclusions.
Realistic TR-883 features
- Stereo 8 track playback capability
- Analog VU meters
- Analog time counter
- Front mounted volume controls for playback mode
- Mode selector: play one program, 1-4, or continuous play
- Fast forward (about 2x)
- Pause control
- Headphone jack
- Left and Right microphone inputs
- Built-in playback RCA cables for connecting to receiver/amplifier
- Made with quality in Japan
Professionally serviced, August, 2021
- Non-functional program change mechanism repaired, works like new today
- Non-functional analog time counter repaired, works like new
- Moderate crosstalk between channels eliminated
- Brand new (not unused old stock) drive belt installed to ensure accurate tape speed
- Mechanical tape path components (play head, capstan, program change sensor) cleaned and demagnetized for optimal sound reproduction
- Program change mechanism disassembled, cleaned, and relubed with professional grade electronics lube for years of trouble free use
- All switches and potentiometers cleaned and conditioned with Deoxit, a professional grade cleaner/conditioner for optimal functionality
- Play head height and azimuth settings recalibrated to prevent crosstalk on properly maintained tapes
- Flywheel and DC motor cleaned and lubed
- Chassis, solder joints and circuit boards cleaned and reconditioned
Shipping
I take a lot of pride in the way I package these vintage tape decks.  I pack 'em exactly the same way I'd want to receive them...in a brand new, heavy duty shipping box with plenty of packing materials.
In the US I always ship via FedEx Ground
. FedEx will not ship to P.O. Boxes so please make sure a real shipping address is available at check out.
Use the eBay shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.
Your cost is based on the distance between my zip code, 53719, and yours!  If you live in Canada or elsewhere, I ship via US Postal Service International Priority Mail.
I get a discount on shipping of nearly 20%.  This discount is automatically passed on to you at check out.
I do NOT charge handling fees or packaging fees or any other kind of fees.  Period!
I offer a
45-day
refund on tape decks that don't arrive to you in the condition I've described them in.  Please read my return policy for more information.
I monitor my auctions closely.  That's good news for you.  It means I answer questions quickly, so don't hesitate to ask if something's on your mind.
Please note:  Any 8 track tapes, LP's, or other stereo components featured in my pictures or videos are not included in this listing, only the item described.
If you don't see the brand or model you're looking for in my current offerings, please send me an email.  Chances are I have it in stock and can offer it to you.
If you're wondering if I service tape decks that I do not sell, the answer is yes!  If you have a tape deck that needs servicing, please contact me through eBay for details.