WHAT'S THAT WOLLENSAK?

by Larry Blumenfeld tumbleweed@wcox.com 

The Wollensak division of The 3M Company marketed an outstanding line of 8-track recorders, manufactured for them by Sanyo, from 1971 to 1975. 3M Engineers designed the units; Sanyo manufactured them for themselves and 3M. Sanyo at the time was primarily a "for-hire" manufacturer, so the Sanyo- branded machines were never as available as the Wollensak versions. All feature very intelligent design, robust mechanical construction, and superior electronics. Along with Roberts/Akai probably the best 8 track units ever made.

Model 8050
The original 8-track recorder, introduced at the end of 1971. Essentially identical to a model introduced six months earlier by Sanyo. Featured an ill-conceived "power" switch and "track" switch that was either on or off (not capable of ejecting after one or four tracks, just ejecting or not); a surprising design mistake that was corrected less than a year later with:

Model 8050A
Introduced in the summer of 1972, replaced the "power" and "track" switches with "auto-eject" and "repeat" switches hat enabled eject after one track or all four.

Model 8055
Introduced in the spring of 1973, added a digital time counter. Sold alongside the 8050A for a while as a step-up model. Later production 8055's had an improved design, which included replacing the mechanical fast-forward with a much faster electrical version. These late-production units are recognizable by more readable white vu meters rather than black. Their serial numbers also begin with "8056", although they are not 8056's

Model 8056
Introduced in the summer of 1974; added a bias switch for 3M's new "Classic" cartridges. Very rare. All have the newer white vu meters.

Model 8075
The last 2 channel unit with the Wollensak brand. Introduced in the summer of 1974; same as the 8056, plus Dolby noise reduction. All have the white vu meters.

CTR Model 2 and 3
3M's new "premium" line, introduced in the summer of 1975. Identical except 3's had Dolby and 2's didn't. Very few 3's were ever actually produced - extremely rare. AFAIK, The 2 was never produced. Totally different design from the 8000 series; solenoid transport controls rather than mechanical; "industrial" design.

FOUR CHANNEL MACHINES

Model 8054
Introduced in the spring of 1972. Play only, no record.

Model 8060
Introduced in the summer of 1972. 4 or 2 channel play, 2 channel record. Essentially a quad version of the 8055, also with the improved design on some later units (recognizable by the same white vu meters rather than black).

Model 8080
The last quad Wollensak. Introduced in the summer of 1974. Essentially the same as an 8060 with the addition of a bias switch for "Classic" tape and Dolby noise reduction (which also makes it a quad version of the 8075).

Note from the author: All of the above information is as accurate as I can determine; I welcome additions and corrections.

Happy trails,

Larry B.

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