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Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality

After you play a cassette tape sever- al times, the tape might become tightly wound on the reels. This can cause playback sound quality to de- teriorate.

To restore the sound quality, fast-for- ward the tape from the beginning to the end of one side, then completely rewind it. Then loosen the tape reels by gently tapping each side of the cassette’s outer shell on a flat sur- face.

Caution: Be careful not to damage the cassette when tapping it. Do not touch the exposed tape or allow any sharp objects near the cassette.

Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts

Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape’s coating can accumulate on the tape heads and other parts that the tape touches. This can greatly reduce the cassette player’s performance.

To prevent noise and poor high-fre- quency response, follow these steps to clean the cassette player’s tape handling parts after 20 hours of use.

1.Set FUNCTION to RADIO OFF/ TAPE.

2.Remove the batteries and dis- connect the AC power cord.

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3.Open the cassette compartment cover.

4.Press and hold down the erase- protection tab sensor, then press RECORD to expose the record/ playback and erase heads.

5.Use a cotton swab dipped in tape head cleaning solution or denatured alcohol to gently clean the capstan, pinch roller, and tape head.

Note: Your local Radio Shack store sells a complete line of cassette cleaning kits.

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