The lack of a permanent erase head on the tape decks is a bad move! Bumpboxx, if you are listening you really need to consider changing this before shipping any units out! Maybe asking a proper Tapehead to do some pre-testing and getting their advice would have been useful rather than just using Boombox collector's opinions! I may be wrong but looking at the front and back of the unit shows no service holes to adjust azimuth or speed! If the well doors can be removed and the back taken off to make speed adjustments without stopping the unit from working that would be at least be a workaround. I can imagine Bumpboxx getting a lot of returns with complaints about the tape decks if they start running slow/too fast. Does anyone know if the cassette mechs can be adjusted without taking it apart?
bbb777
- Thread starter Altin godo
- Start date
ReeltoReel
New Member
dubout
Member (SA)
I even asked that question in a direkt mail, here is Luis' answer including pics he sent me:
'It is auto calibration. I can send pictures of the mechanism if that helps clarify. There is a manual calibration hole in the back of the tape mechanism, but it is my understanding you shouldn't have to touch it.'
Funny side note, looking at the pics that doesn't look like a permanent erase magnet to me?! What do you guys say?
I never looked at those pictures closely because my question was already answered. His statement that they used permanent magnet erase heads was from yesterday, shortly before launch. He could have mixed stuff up in those challenging hours, I wouldn't blame him.
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ReeltoReel
New Member
Luis, stated at 10:25AM, today, on the WhatsApp group that it does have a permanent erase head.
dubout
Member (SA)
I saw that and he now assured via the engeneering team that it's a permanent magnet. Strange
beansmaynard
Member (SA)
that's not a "always on" permanent erase head I don't think. There's wires attached, which suggests that it's not always magnetised, which is good!
maybe they're getting confused with the word permanent?
Reli
Boomus Fidelis
Doesn't look like a permanent magnet to me. If it was, it would rotate. That one clearly doesn't, it's pointing up all the time.
Plus, someone on Reddit said Bumpboxx told them it was a proper AC head. Here's the quote:
"It’s a proprietary cassette deck modeled after a quality Sony Cassette deck and engineered in Japan. It has AC Bias for clear recording. The cassette mech is assembled in China, with parts from Japan, China and Vietnam."
Plus, someone on Reddit said Bumpboxx told them it was a proper AC head. Here's the quote:
"It’s a proprietary cassette deck modeled after a quality Sony Cassette deck and engineered in Japan. It has AC Bias for clear recording. The cassette mech is assembled in China, with parts from Japan, China and Vietnam."
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Good news! Its defo NOT a perm magnet erase head and with wires it's an AC eraser. I can see the marking LE15B which was used on cheap Aiwa mini systems and probably countless other BPOC Jap models back in the day. For example, the TEAC W-1200 uses an erase head designated LE17B so clearly of the same family (yes the parts are from China). It might still be mediocre erase head compared to vintage decks but not absolutely useless like a perm magnet based one.
Also, Luis still did not answer the question properly about adjusting azimuth and speed! He said "shouldn't have to touch it" for adjustment which is rather too trusting of a complex mechanical product. I'll say this again Bumpboxx. If you haven't already manufactured en-masse the BB-777 then its not too late to get the little holes made in the case where the azimuth screw can be accessed using a small screwdriver. Similarly at the back a hole for each mech to allow access to the adjustment hole on the back of the motor (it seems only one motor drives both mechs). Designing the mould for the case should have allowed for these allignment holes...that's if you want a product to get good reviews from Tapeheads. Like someone earlier said, Techmoan, VWestlife and other YT influencers/clowns can either praise or putdown the BB-777 very quickly.
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beansmaynard
Member (SA)
It's now been fully confirmed that it is using an AC eraser. I'll be honest, a part of me didn't think they'd do a permanent erase head, because they've made a big deal about dubbing. Happy days folks!
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I've expanded my questions beyond the AC erase head and still no answer. I'll lay them out here:
1. Will there be pilot holes to adjust the azimuth on each cassette mech. These are usually visible just under the bottom of each door? If you look at the original GF-777 they are there.
2. Will there be a way to adjust motor speed if its running too fast or too slow, i.e. pilot hole at the back?
3. The picture of the internals of the mechs sent by Dubout shows only one motor driving both cassette capstans. Is this true or will there be a separate motor for each in the production models? The latter is preferred btw!
1. Will there be pilot holes to adjust the azimuth on each cassette mech. These are usually visible just under the bottom of each door? If you look at the original GF-777 they are there.
2. Will there be a way to adjust motor speed if its running too fast or too slow, i.e. pilot hole at the back?
3. The picture of the internals of the mechs sent by Dubout shows only one motor driving both cassette capstans. Is this true or will there be a separate motor for each in the production models? The latter is preferred btw!
Attachments
yammi99
Member (SA)
I would say, the bb-777 has exactly the same tape mechanism as the WAR boombox. You can check the disassembly video on YT:
WAR BB on YT
Start at minute 31.
Even the PB and erase heads seem to be the same.
I don't see, what they mean with "'Japanese Sony mech' outperformed the we are rewind unit in all tests". And only one motor for both decks is a drawback.
Also this foam covering for the wires is not the best solution. This material tends to crumble over the time. Have this issue in an old Casio EG-5 guitar.
WAR BB on YT
Start at minute 31.
Even the PB and erase heads seem to be the same.
I don't see, what they mean with "'Japanese Sony mech' outperformed the we are rewind unit in all tests". And only one motor for both decks is a drawback.
Also this foam covering for the wires is not the best solution. This material tends to crumble over the time. Have this issue in an old Casio EG-5 guitar.
Transistorized
Member (SA)
I asked bumpboxx about their cassette mechanism. Louis was able to provide me a photo. It appears they are using a biased recording head versus a permanent magnet. I have heard the heads are sourced from Japan. Their double deck design in the BB-777 does not have have dual motors (1 for each deck). It is a single motor that drives both transports. They did this also with boomboxes back in the day.
While it guarantees that both decks are matched in speed, there is one drawback to this design. If you are recording or playing a tape in one deck while the other deck is placed in Rewind or FF, the sudden start / stop of this process will surge the single motor driving both and that causes the playback / recording deck to surge with the load of the other. I suppose this could be mitigated by using a heavier flywheel to dampen this potential issue and it could be something they thought about during their design.
Good news is auto-stop is triggered by the take-up wheel versus a tape tension finger. This will help prevent a tape with a sticking cassette take-up reel from getting chewed and wrapped around the capstan.
I too asked about the speed adjustment hole. I did not hear back about that, so I am going to have to wait and see when I get mine. The reason I felt this was important is because almost all of the newer decks start to play fast after about an hour of playback as the grease, belts and mechanical parts wear in. This reduces drag. At the factory they set the speed correct but they can't control the break-in process which reduces the drag on the motor and then speed creeps up. Most might not notice it (or care) but I am one of those people who listen to cassettes more than CD's or Radio so it matters a bunch to me...and having perfect pitch with musical instraments, I notice wrong speeds right away. It would be nice to have an adjustment hole so you can adjust without needing to take the whole machine apart and void the warranty.
One thing I forgot to ask was if this double deck has continuous playback (Deck B Paused until Tape A finishes and auto-stops releasing Pause on Tape B).
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Thanks for the info @Transistorized. You and I are similar in terms of using the tape deck more than any other format. I'm hoping there is still room for the Bumpboxx team to tweak the design of the cassette side of things. The pilot holes for adjusting azimuth and speed should be included imho plus the use of seperate motors for each tape deck if they want to impress with the BB-777 and make it more flexible in usage as you described plus more reliable. These items are not such a big deal.
BoomboxLover48
Boomus Fidelis
I registered and $2 membership with emails......no WhatsApp! but never got any mails. What a Joke!
mellymelsr
Member (SA)
Just an FYI...I spoke with Luis and Rob yesterday. The upgraded tape heads are a Sony product with ac electromagnetic erase heads.Asked directly via mail, Luis confirmed that the tape deck has a permanent magnet erase head. Techmoan isn't going to like that
Reli
Boomus Fidelis
Are you saying you paid the $2 early bird on Prelaunch a few months ago, but you never got any emails?
You should have gotten an email from "Rob at Bumpboxx" on Monday morning. It has a button you can click to claim your discounted VIP price.
If you don't see it, check your Spam and Promotions folders.
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beansmaynard
Member (SA)
Luis has confirmed the electromagnetic erase head in the whatsapp group yesterday, I did bug him to find out, as the photo was not a permanent erase head. The 2 cassette decks are definitely powered off one motor.
mellymelsr
Member (SA)
The BB777 has 2 sets of tweeters. Highs are very clear. The coaxials present the mids very well.