As told by Matt “Buster” Allen:

There was a pretty famous story about a storage unit of 3M parts lost in the southern region of the USA. 

With the help of Randy Blevins, I discovered a stock pile of original 3M parts that remained from the 3M factory. These parts first went to a company called Electro Technology, the first authorized 3M service center after Mincom decided to not support the 3M machines. A great tech named Bart Gass then purchased the remainder and continued working. When Bart fell ill, a 3M tech in Athens, Ga named Otho Wilburn purchased them. As Otho also became ill, he lost them to a company storing his belongings and I bought the remaining stock. Randy Blevins and I brought 10 3M tape machines, and 20 plus boxes of parts back to Nashville. After only a year and a half, I have helped 3M owners all over the world resurrect their machines. I also returned Mitch Easter’s 3M M23 two track and Lyrec 24trk which were in the storage unit. Also an audiotronics Grandson console that belonged to Otto Fagen was returned. Those items were sent in for repair, and never thought to be seen again. 

I’m still looking for Nashville Record Productions’ Sontec Mastering EQ that is in the suburbs of Atlanta somewhere. 

With the help of Brian Kehew (Recording the Beatles), I have purchased Corky Tanassy’s collection of 3M Parts. His collection contained parts and pieces from Electro Technology, and Westlake Audio, both major 3M players at the time. 13 full boxes. M23 to M79!

In 2014, while helping record "Garth Brooks Live at the Wynn" show in Las Vegas, I met engineer named Lou Carto. Bart Guass had been the main repair tech at Lou Carto Sr.'s studio. After Bart's failing health, the Carto family bought all of Bart's left over 3M machines and parts. I was able to secure many, many 3M parts that were left over from Bart's Electro Technology stash, that he kept and did not sell to Otho. 

In 2024 I made an agreement to sell my 3M parts and machines to Matt DelVecchio in Los Angeles, California. Matt had become a good client and friend over the years. He is one of the best technicians I have met. His love and knowledge for the 3M machines is just as large as mine. Matt is very proud to be able to carry the 3M torch and continue to repair and innovate. We are in good hands. I kept a very nice M79 24trk, 16trk, 1/2” and 1/4” for my projects.

My time working with everyone in the 3M Mincom club was a very special experience. It really helped put me on the map in the audio field and connect with so many great people that I still talk to and get to know better each year. Thank you for all of the work and sales over the years. You kept a very young kid going while I was working my way up the ladder as a recording engineer. I’m enjoying being on the other side while still wrestling a vactrol or funky audio card.

Thanks for a great run.

Buster allen-sound.com

Hello Friends! Matt DelVecchio here. I must give a huge thank you to Matt Allen! Without his dedication, research, and perseverance, we would not have the 3M parts collection I am now the proud steward of. As of 2026, I continue to catalog the boxes while offering parts to those who still run these beautiful machines. As time goes forward, I hope to have a full online shop with updated stock of NOS, reproduction, and used parts.