It belongs to someone for whom I had previously restored two M-400s. I insisted that he buy it because I could not. ![](\"https://ec.yimg.com/ec?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn-cf.aol.com%2Fse%2Fsmi%2F0201d20638%2F01&t=1572481771&sig=uAFKVY2H._.1c0FF9Vj0IA--~E\")
I'm not sure whether we are going to repaint the cabinet or not. It cleaned up very well, but has some scratches on the front. Otherwise, it will look factory fresh.
The tapes are in pretty bad shape, though they are playable. We will be cleaning them up and preserving them. The tape frame looks pretty standard except that the thumb screws are smaller (although they are the same thread size as any other frame and fit a 400 fine) and the side rails are beefier. Any standard M-400 tape frame will fit in the 4-Track as long as it holds 1/4 inch tapes.
I cannot comment on the keyboard action because the keyboard was a mess when the machine arrived. I will let you know the answer to that question as soon as the machine is back together. I suspect that it will be very good, but probably no better than a properly adjusted M-400.
I have been able to achieve very light touch and very fast action on M-400 keyboards. Nearly as good as the M4000, but not quite. I have done so many of them that I continue to learn and improve as I try new methods to improve the action.
Frank
In a message dated 10/29/2009 8:36:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, gabru@comsec.net writes:
Is this part of your collection or are you rebuilding for a client?
What a great rare piece. I am sure it will be a showpiece when you’re done.
Are the original tapes pretty well shot? What is the keyboard action like compared
to a 400? …..Have fun….great project!