Hello all! I have just started getting into older electronics with my recent acquisition of a Clairtone 7980. Got it for a pretty good deal and it does still work pretty well but also definitely needs work. Hoping to find someone here I can lean on for advice or repair / restoration. I look forward to engaging with this community. -LTS
I've had two of this model as a c100f and then as a c100 FJ which I presently have and I've repaired both of them and I had a third one sent to me years ago and I tried repairing it but I was unable to get the electronics to work because his was blown. But I was able to rebuild the cassette decks in both of them and make that work. And I made videos about all that and posted them to my YouTube account of which I no longer have access to which another long story but it's called cassette2go
Very nice to meet you sir. I have already been watching your videos, great content! I am hoping to get the majority of the work done myself but am on the fence about finding a pro to restore or repair it correctly the first time haha.
Most of the old equipment can be fixed with basic repairs like belt/roller changes and a good cleaning of internal sliding parts and external buttons, knobs and sliders. The function switch is always a troublemaker and gets dirty left in one position so the sonics are way off. That's an iconic box, I'd say it's right next to the M90 in collectability, if your unsure of your repair skills, I'd get a pro, the box will always hold it's value.
Good to know! I have never worked on equipment like this but there appears to be a lot of good resources available. I think all of the contacts need a solid cleaning - several of the knobs cause nasty crackling in the speakers but all do work, surprisingly. Hopefully I never have to sell it, I remember seeing these things as a kid and always thinking how cool they were.
If your not familar with switch cleaners, DeOxit is the most available but there are many others. ARKAY used to hang out here in the old days, this is a pretty good thread on using the products. There is another thread on AK that says DeOxit and FaderLube will both work similar, there was a notion that FaderLube was for sliding switches like EQ's, and DeOxit was for rotary and toggle but it sounds like neither will damage the insides of the switches. I get DeOxit at guitar stores, it's usually a fraction of the cost of the smaller can from Amazon. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-idiots-guide-to-using-deoxit-revisited.207005/ Edit: Forgot to post the link!
Yeah I got the FaderLube "just in case" for use on those pesky volume / bass / treble sliders. Was somewhat suspicious about the differences between these two DeOxit products but thought it best to just order the other can for sliders too...
The green can. Fader lube has more lubricant in it than the red. Can they both do the same job? Just the fader has more lubricant in it than cleaner
Here's the rebuttal thread on AK, some very interesting info...... https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ou-should-only-use-deoxit-f5-on-pots.1030764/
