Hello and thank you both. It seems Daniel is right: The problem is the
friction clutch I just "fixed". I think I'll have to replace it
completely. I wasn't even using LP (we don't have SLP in PAL-land,
since our SP is already a good bit slower than NTSC-land SP, so our LP
is your SLP. Our Standard tape length is 240 minutes in SP, and up to
300 min. is available).

The fact that the flutter was audible only in new recordings was
probably since that meant adding the recording flutter to the playback
flutter, which pushed it over the edge of noticability. However after
recording a whole tape for testing it got much worse, now the HiFi
audio started crackling, too, and there is even a bit of picture
distortion now and then. So I'll order a replacement for the clutch,
and while I'm at it, also for the back-tensioning mechanism with the
felt band, since it is also worn and cigarette-smoke-drenched from the
former owner. The capstan seems OK and luckily this model of VCR uses
a toothed belt, which also seems fine.

(Sorry for the unusual quoting style, missing "" and missing
"References:" line, somehow Google refuses to retrieve the message for
replying, and I don't have access to a true news server, so I had to
copy it in by hand.)

--
Linards Ticmanis

-----

sofie ) wrote...
Linards:
Try some brand new tapes.... maybe try a different brand. Also if
you are
recording at the SLP/EP 6hr speed, try changing it to the SP 2hr
speed.
The slower speed at best is problematic with resultant lower quality
audio
and video and is more susceptible to tape irregularities. Since
audio
flutter with the linear head is directly related to capstan speed
there are
a number of things to look at in addition to the quality of the tapes
you
are using.....
Belt (worn or stretched)
Idler clutch (grabbing)
Back-tension (band/mechanism sticking)
Bad capstan motor (cogging)
***and.... of course.... the MOST LIKELY SUSPECT is the mechanism that
you
just replaced the felts in..... if they are grabbing or have too much
tension you can get uneven capstan speed with resultant linear audio
flutter. Based on your most recent service on this mechanism I would
say
that you need to re-check your work..... the problem is probably
there.