Stuff you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

[MichaelW]

When I started purchasing from sweet water my sales agent kept calling to see how I liked the product(s) I bought. In one of the conversations I put in a request for ONLY "Bit-O-Honey" candies. My next coupla purchases were small but I got only "Bit-O-Honey" candies. So, cool.

Withdrawing from my retirement account I procured a top of the line Taylor acoustic 914CE Special. In the box was a rather LARGE bag of "Bit-O-Honey" candies. Sweet!

Pics or its a Takamine....

 

[Robert]

I am talking about things more complicated than pedals: like tape decks, hifi gear, synths, ets.

Tape decks have belts and tensioners that will deteriorate over time even if they're unused.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Tape decks have belts and tensioners that will deteriorate over time even if they're unused.

Best case scenario, the belts dry rot. Worst case like all Sony devices, they turn to symbiote goo

 

[Feral Feline]

@tegendemuur

Ook, cheap plastics and/or rubber can degrade over time just sitting, and break down.

So something like a reel-to-reel might shred the tape if the capstans' rubber breaks apart mid-use.



Ahh Robert and Will beat me to it.

 

[Cybercow]

Pics or its a Takamine....

Challenge accepted.

 

[Erik S]

Funny, I was going to say tape decks are one example where an unused machine might have some increased value just for the lack of wear on the heads.

Unused certainly doesn't equate to "ready to go" in any old gear.

In general I'm wary of anything that didn't get used. Guitars in particular - an old guitar that never got played seems to me like maybe it wasn't worth playing. People selling guitars often post that pic where they bend the strings to show there's no fret wear, but I'd prefer to see an instrument that looks like someone couldn't put it down.

 

[MichaelW]

Challenge accepted.

View attachment 116595

That's gorgeous! Congrats!

 

[CheapSuitG]

Okay. Another one.

Sometimes you see electronic gear and devices that have been in storage for decades, never used. Not considering marks caused by usage, would you settle for such a device, or one that's been used and known to work perfectly? I am talking about things more complicated than pedals: like tape decks, hifi gear, synths, ets.

Was wondering if it is just electrolytics and crackling pots one has to worry about when things sit still for so long... And if the high prices of long stored products are worth any potential hassle.

I almost think it is like a car, unless it has been stored properly for decades of nonuse, things are going to be an issue. As people have mentioned, rubber and plastic bits caps etc.

 

[jessenator]

Best case scenario, the belts dry rot. Worst case like all Sony devices, they turn to symbiote goo

I'd take the dry rot any day… I'm trying to remember if I changed all the belts on my receiver combo