The importance of good belts and why you should buy belts from Marrs Comm. *not true anymore!*

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The importance of good belts and why you should buy belts from Marrs Comm. not true anymore!

Рет қаралды 8,268

6 жыл бұрын

UPDATED: unfortunately marrs no longer delivers on their promises, and although they used to make a good product, they no longer deliver
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1st of all I'm not endorsed by Marrs Communications. I'm not being paid to talk about them.
I work on cassette decks daily and have used many belt kits. The Marrs kits are superior, and here is a video of why.

Пікірлер: 63

@SS-qy9ec 3 жыл бұрын

I bought a set of mixed flat belts from eBay and they were all lumpy and uneven. I was then pestered to leave feedback, so I did by saying seller dispatched item promptly with good communication. I did however state that the belts were not good. The seller gave me a snotty reply. I therefore do not recommend buying from seller “wavesales”.

@andypalm7061 5 жыл бұрын

I agree with the quality of the product. Here's MY experience with marrs: Twice I ordered from Marrs. First order took a month,and after an email I received the item(s). Had I not emailed...who knows how long. But,things happen...I had to cut'em a break on that. 2nd. order: (3 units): Oct. 6th 2018....paid in full. Two emails with zero response and it's now Nov. 28th 2018. Not even an explanation email; hey I could understand if something happened; but not one attempted reply. Not what I call "good business practice". If you can't deliver,...you're having supply issues,....just tell us on the web site ahead of time. That I can understand. I have 3 units torn apart in boxes with no belts. Nonsense is what that is. At this point I have to get my money back,and it's very disheartening. How long would you wait? Sorry for the rant. Just an FYI.

@JordanPier 5 жыл бұрын

I know it sucks. I've had to wait up to three months at times. I just make sure the customers I'm servicing the decks for are willing to wait. If not the option is generic belts with no guarantee of high fidelity. You have to be courteous when inquiring so they don't cut you off altogether. As far as I can tell they simply have more demand than stock and staff will allow. I get that, but it's true a little warning would be nice.

@andypalm7061 5 жыл бұрын

copy that. I just do this for love of the format;I can't imagine running a business based on this time frame. Best of luck, we're in the same boat here lol@@JordanPier

@martytoo 4 жыл бұрын

I read most of the comments here. Is there a new favorite for buying belts that is a US seller? The one overseas seller that I communicated with was honest to tell me that the delivery times in the US were terrible in April of 2020 due to the pandemic.

@Synthematix 3 жыл бұрын

Who remembers using elastic bands.

@topfloorstudio2684 Жыл бұрын

Lol yeah, back in the day you had to get creative sometimes! There was no "online suppliers". As a matter of fact any belt / rubber band that is the proper length & width will work with these old relic tape machines.

@PackardDog 4 жыл бұрын

Glad I read the reviews. Almost sent them a check. Nice try Krista....If thats even your name....

@dharvell 4 жыл бұрын

4:03 - Random rooster. Good vid. I ALMOST dished some money to Marrs for a belt kit. Thankfully, I decided to read some reviews. Don't think I'll be risking it, with them. Too bad. Looks like they had some quality stuff.

@DESNOISTIERS 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah good product but ripped me off for $50 , never shipped , never replied now off to small claims court . Beware dealing with these people .

@cars654 5 жыл бұрын

Same thing happened to me took 6 months and three letters and then they ship me the wrong size belts. Started using PRB belts and no problems. PRB in my Harmon Kardon still going strong after 5 years.

@dominikakowalewski6893 5 жыл бұрын

My experience too. Ordered for 80 US dollars last year Sept 18 and still waiting almost a year later. I ignored the reviews and look where I am now...

@SDsailor7 3 жыл бұрын

@@cars654 Where is PRB belts located? Is it a website? Thank you

@cars654 3 жыл бұрын

@@SDsailor7 PRB is a manufacturer, they have dealers, turntableneedles.com and vintage electronics carries their belts. Check out both websites they have good info. and tech. tips.

@SDsailor7 3 жыл бұрын

@@cars654 Ah i see. I already know about those two websites and i have bought belts from them before as a matter of fact i am waiting for some belts that i ordered from turtableneedles. Thank you for letting me know who the manufactures is. Cheers

@rodaberegg3524 4 жыл бұрын

My experience so far: Paid $86 dollars for 2 kits on October 5th. It is now 20 days later and still no tracking number. No response to emails and not answering the phone. The voice mailbox is full and won't take any messages. I may need to contact my credit card company to get a refund.

@bendingspring 4 жыл бұрын

Rod Aberegg Lucky you for paying by credit card, hope you saw it through? Did you get your money back? I think everyone in Europe who has been scammed by these scumbags should crowdfund to get an American lawyer to rip this company apart.

@antoniovillafranca9065 5 жыл бұрын

What good is it to claim how good their Belts are if they never deliver them. It takes for ever to get your belts from this company, horrendous customer service. Google " Marrs Communications complains" and you will see what I'm talking about!

@bendingspring 4 жыл бұрын

Csab 7 months I’ve waited, that’s in working days, Fred! Received nothing, no communication, no belt kit. Steer well clear!

@jamalmoss9543 4 жыл бұрын

Nice video. Great info! Great job comparing the two. Sorry to hear about all the disgruntled customers. I won’t be buying from Marrs.

@bendingspring 4 жыл бұрын

I sincerely urge anyone in the world outside of America to NOT purchase anything from the Marrs family. No point in paying high prices for “the best” when you’re not going to receive anything. I think they consider customers outside of the USA easily scammed. I’m looking at what I can do legally to get my money back, etc.

@dharvell 4 жыл бұрын

It's not just "outside of America"... it's true for us Americans, as well. They just simply do not ship the products that are ordered. The only thing they ship are excuses, sadly. Maybe check out WJOE Radio or West Coast Belts. I haven't dealt with either company, yet, but they seem pretty legit, thus far.

@djshumon 5 жыл бұрын

Though i heard a chicken .

@JordanPier 4 жыл бұрын

NOTE: I no longer use marrs belts due to everyone else's findings - I don't get them anymore and no one responds. I now get my stuff from black reel ( www.ebaystores.com/BlackReel-Shop) or thakker.eu

@Android_Warrior 4 жыл бұрын

Your first link don't work!!!

@JordanPier 4 жыл бұрын

@@Android_Warrior I know. For some reason they closed that store and no longer ship outside Europe.

@Android_Warrior 4 жыл бұрын

@@JordanPier : I have a Technics double cassette deck I want you to work on, what do I need to do to send you?. Thanks.

@JordanPier 4 жыл бұрын

@@Android_Warrior let's talk. vintageavrepair (at) gmail.com

@Android_Warrior 4 жыл бұрын

@@JordanPier I have sent you an email about a week

@cars654 2 жыл бұрын

I have been using PRB belts for years without any problems. Marrs unfortunately has passed away.

@bobjerome5390 4 жыл бұрын

hi like to back up terry work in the usa he very good i had him do my otrai mx 70 roller wow it was good job

@save2rave61 3 жыл бұрын

Sooooo!!!! Where do we buy now?!??

@SDsailor7 3 жыл бұрын

Did you ever find a place to buy belts?

@LarryMarston 3 жыл бұрын

I prefer using belts from DeckTech in the UK.

@Radiowild 6 жыл бұрын

Good info to know. Thanks for sharing.

@TimeTraveler66 4 жыл бұрын

Can you tell me the size or where to get a belt for a Marantz cd63se loading tray?

@juandv930722 3 жыл бұрын

I have a nakamichi dr-2 that's chewing up tapes, can you please recommend any posible solution? if I do need to buy belts where could I get them? thanks

@JordanPier 3 жыл бұрын

Too many things can cause tapes to get eaten 1. Failure of reel table idler (where used) 2. Failure of reel motor 3. Defective back tension system (where used) 4. Defective pinch roller 5. Obstruction of pinch roller arm (head cable in the way) 6 loss of voltage to reel motor. Gotta pull and disassemble the transport to know for sure.

@juandv930722 3 жыл бұрын

@@JordanPier is there any easy way to fix/diagnose the problem jordan? I bough it out of curiosity and I was really impressed by it but I don't know much about them and don't really know any local repair shop or even in the whole country for that matter, that may be able to work on them let alone get replacement parts, so I would have to buy them from the US or Europe. By the way thanks a lot for answering.

@JordanPier 3 жыл бұрын

@@juandv930722 no easy way to test. You'll need a multimeter at minimum and preferably a casette torque meter. You can lift the door cover off while it's open, close the door and press play on most naks. If the reel table on the right spins, but a little bit of drag on it with your finger. If it's stops with the slightest touch, the idler is for sure bad. If it slows and them immediately stops and does not start when you let go, the reel motor is defective. If it's not turning at all, voltage to the motor needs to be checked. If present, the motor may be defective. If your reel table is working well and needs some effort to stop, a new capstan belt and back tension service is next. You have to size belts on these. I get precision ones from Russell industries after I've discovered what size is needed. It's no easy task.

@juandv930722 3 жыл бұрын

@@JordanPier thanks for taking this much time to answer me, I´ll try to do my best and maybe import some spares just in case to discard everything, any advice as to where may I get top quality ones?

@JordanPier 3 жыл бұрын

@@juandv930722 the only good source for spare motors is another working machine

@jp040759 6 жыл бұрын

What about new tires for stuff. I have a BIC T2 two speed cassette deck that I would love to refurbish but the tires are all dried out.

@JordanPier 6 жыл бұрын

I haven't found a decent source yet. Used to be you could get tires from MCM that we're ok, but since Newark gobbled them up, thats no longer an option. You can try Hollywood Beverly Electronics and ask for a catalog. They still sell idler tires as far as I know, but you'll need dimensions. Prb also has an idler tire line, but you'll need dimensions and a current catalog, available from Russell industries

@jp040759 6 жыл бұрын

Great to know. I will look into those. The BIC T2 were phenomenal cassette decks. They rivalled reel to reel sound due to doubling the tape speed for the tape travel.

@manzanaresantonio 5 жыл бұрын

@@jp040759 I think the BIC T-3, T-3M and T-4M can get close to reel to reel at high speed, but he BIC T-2 is a 2 head deck, it will not give you the same sound quality of the 3-Head decks. The sound quality is stunning on the 3-Head BIC decks at high speed with a Chrome tape from TDK or Maxell.

@jp040759 5 жыл бұрын

Thanx

@manzanaresantonio 5 жыл бұрын

@@jp040759 I forgot to tell you. The way I usually refurbish Idler tires is by rubbing them with "Liquid sander" or "Goof off" to remove paint. It works as I have done it with all my vitage decks. My Nakamichi CR-5A wasn't playing and rewinding, so I removed the black cover that is placed on the cassette well, right behind where you place the cassette. Remove this and clean those tires and the ones inside the tape mechanism, it works like is new now. Apply some liquid sander or Goof off and let it settle and dry, then apply again and rub it with a cotton swab to remove some of that clear/shiny glace that makes the tire lose traction. Be care ful that you don't brake anything as this is platic, delicate and old if you pull it too hard. Good luck, I have a total of 16 cassette decks and all are working like they should.