A Reel to Reel tape recorder was my first Guitar "Amp". I didn't have to take it apart though, I was able to plug right into the quarter inch jack on the front, and put it in record mode, and crank it
As a reel-to-reel user I am not happy with this destruction of a nice tape recorder. Apart from that the amplifier in a tape recorder is really not that suited as a guitar amplifier, because it is not linear. To compensate for the inductance in the magnetic head and the tape itself, and to reduce tape hiss as much as possible, the tone balance is altered both when recording and playing, and it also depends on the tape speed, which is the reason the sound of your guitar will probably change if you turn the speed controller to 3 3/4 instead of 1 7/8.
I'm also reel-to-reel user and also repair these devices frequently. This specific unit was moisture damaged, so wood case is ruined, inner metal parts rusted and rubber parts and friction pads were worn out, so no point to repair anymore. I will collect some spare parts to save other devices in the future, and decided to create something new and cool from this one.
CNC-machined out of two acrylic plate and bolted together, electronics fitted inside without holes to the outside surfaces. Also remote controlled RGB-leds inside😃
Well..., yes and no...., I have used in the studio an exact tape recorder like this, as an amp..., but the easy and more suitable way is to plug the guitar in the mic, or line input, and then use it to get the tubes in the amp section of this tandberg really working....
