Hi all, I'm freelance documentary sound recordist who's been lucky enough to have worked with sound for the last 17 years. However, I have been thinking of how my love of sound initially arose and it was when I was age 7 in 1985 that I received my first walkman a WM-BF 60. Recently I found it in my cupboard at my parents home and I remembered the fascination of playing with a medium we can't see, taste, touch or smell! The feeling of awe as I put a cassette in, watched the sprockets turning and hearing sound was something I would love to recapture. So I have begun restoring/repairing it and am hoping someone might be able to offer advice when I post specific questions. I've very little experience with electronics but am ok with a soldering iron etc. Anyway, I will post something soon. Until then stay safe people best Paul
Welcome Paul, these little machines were an important part of life to a lot of people. Most were built extremely well and only need a new belt but some might need a little more. The most common issues are the rubber belt falls apart, the volume dial gets corrosion (scratchy) and needs "electronics spray" and the headphone jack doesn't work 100% and can need re-soldering of the wires.
Hi Mister X and thank you for a warm welcome. Thanks also for a breakdown of the common problems. I think I've posted a more detailed assessment of my issues in the correct forum so hopefully someone will advise from there but in the meantime thank you for your input also. I look forward to re-entering a long lost world I really loved! best Paul
Great to rediscover the cassette Walkman and all of that experience that goes with them. I should warn you, if you love sound quality you won't be able to stop at one. You will end up like many of us seeking the best sounding Walkman with those low wow and flutter specs. It leads to the Top 4 and they are all magnificent and with a top type IV cassette recorded on a quality deck you begin to realise that the medium offered so much we took for granted back in the melodic 1980's. Welcome
thank you silverera. It’s really encouraging to hear that the medium of cassette holds such potential for great sound...perhaps like many I have forgotten just how good it was. I also have a Sony pro Walkman which now doesn’t work for some reason but after I’ve fixed my childhood Walkman I’ll take a look at it too. Thank you
Hi Paul. There were 4 base models sold as Walkman Professionals. The WM-D6, the D6C, the DC2 and WM-D3. The DC2 did not have the record function. All very collectible however and increasing in value. Not sure which model you have but the last 2 have the usual centre gear problem which generally results in that knocking sound but the audio still works. Eventually the cracked gear will completely fall apart and the device no longer operates. The D6 and D6C generally need the rubber kit replaced after this number of years but once done they are usually good to go and make great recordings on metal tapes even though they don't have record calibration like high end decks. I have had great results on the D6 and D6C using TDK MA-R90 MA-XG 90 and Sony Super Metal Master cassettes. As we all ponder our futures in this age of the lock down I can recommend spending time repairing Walkman is both rewarding and suitably distracting. Cheers bd
Thank you silverera. I’ve just looked and seen I have the WM-D6C model. It’s in great condition and I’ve noticed that the battery compartment has corrosion from leaked batteries which I must have removed years ago. Perhaps this is the only reason the unit isn’t working. Should I use a fibreglass pen to remove the blue battery leaked corrosion or something else? Many thanks paul
