Tascam 488 Maintenance - A Risky Purchase in 2016?

Recording Techniques, People Skills, Gear, Recording Spaces, Computers, and DIY

Moderators: drumsound, tomb

Post Reply
0wl
pluggin' in mics
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:52 pm
Location: Detroit, MI (Okay, I live in the Suburbs)

Tascam 488 Maintenance - A Risky Purchase in 2016?

Post by 0wl » Wed Mar 30, 2016 7:54 am

I used to have a Tascam 238 (8-track rackmount cassette recorder) and I made a few recordings on it. But then my old Fostex mixer started having issues, and the repair quote was insane. With the mixer kaput, I could no longer record anything to the 238. SO when I got the opportunity to sell the 238 for a good price I jumped on it. Now I'm thinking about taking the $$ and downsizing to a Tascam 488 (which is a standalone 8-track with a built-in mixer). I know it's a lower quality machine, but the simplicity and small size are big pluses for me.

POTENTIAL ISSUE THOUGH: Can you still find parts for these machines? There's both a 488 and a 488mk2 listed locally, but I'm hesitant to buy because if they have mechanical issues I'm not sure how easily they can be fixed. I called a repair center and the dude said to do some research regarding the availability of the capstan motor. I have no idea where to look! I'm starting to regret selling my 238, which apparently has higher quality parts and is more easily serviceable.

BUT I'd be very happy with a working 488?I think it's really all I need to have fun making music. BUT how safe of a purchase is this in 2016?

Any and all info is appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

0wl

kslight
mixes from purgatory
Posts: 2968
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:40 pm

Post by kslight » Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:19 am

Always a risk buying old stuff like that, but you can buy some parts from Tascam, at least belts..I haven't seen the list but I have to imagine that the big ticket parts are unobtainium except on eBay. I think a lot of people that depend on these machines may ultimately own more than one machine for parts..because parts on eBay can easily add up to a spare machine. This is how I've managed to end up with (3) 388s...because you can't really find parts but every once in awhile a machine shows up for sale.

I wouldn't hesitate at buying one for a couple hundred bucks if I thought I needed one... as long as I could test its functionality beforehand...any more than that might be a little risky for me. At least you have 2 to choose from locally...you can give them a good look and see if one works better than the other, or if cheap, buy both...

Btw I own a 688, have had no issues so far...but I don't use it every day.

Teacher's Pet
gimme a little kick & snare
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:09 am
Location: New York City
Contact:

Post by Teacher's Pet » Wed Mar 30, 2016 2:31 pm

Luckily we have Russ @ NJ Factory Service who is a wizard of TEAC / Tascams.

I'd check with Russ first, then buy a cheap machine and send it straight to him.
When you get it back it will be clean, calibrated, and up to factory spec.

User avatar
A.David.MacKinnon
ears didn't survive the freeze
Posts: 3819
Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 5:57 am
Location: Toronto
Contact:

Re: Tascam 488 Maintenance - A Risky Purchase in 2016?

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Wed Mar 30, 2016 9:03 pm

0wl wrote:I used to have a Tascam 238
BUT I'd be very happy with a working 488?I think it's really all I need to have fun making music. BUT how safe of a purchase is this in 2016?


0wl
I just traded some broken synths for a 488. I'm loving it. Belts and head wear are likely your biggest issue. Try before you buy

0wl
pluggin' in mics
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:52 pm
Location: Detroit, MI (Okay, I live in the Suburbs)

Post by 0wl » Fri Apr 01, 2016 12:18 pm

What sort of things should I be looking for when I "try before I buy"?

I do realize that I'll need to give the thing a thorough test before I make an offer, but I admit I'm pretty clueless as to how to go about that. I plan to bring a cassette and a small portable keyboard, record on a couple tracks, and make sure it plays back properly.

But what exactly should I be listening for? Will any faults be obvious in the recording or are there some visual checks I should be doing? How would I check for wear on the heads?

User avatar
floid
buyin' a studio
Posts: 983
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:39 pm
Location: in exile

Post by floid » Fri Apr 01, 2016 12:37 pm

Grooves/scratches/flat spots on the heads, dropouts and warbles in playback, engage varispeed and see if it ramps up and down smoothly, listen to the motor for anything weird, confirm signals at ins and outs, type things.
Village Idiot.

User avatar
A.David.MacKinnon
ears didn't survive the freeze
Posts: 3819
Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 5:57 am
Location: Toronto
Contact:

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:34 pm

Record a test tone for the length of a cassette then listen back. You don't have to listen to the whole thing but check the beginning, middle and end. If it sounds wobbly at the start or end of the cassette then the belt is likely stretched/worn out and is having problems maintaining speed.

Rigsby
mixes from purgatory
Posts: 2908
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:34 am
Location: London, England
Contact:

Post by Rigsby » Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:40 pm

Yeah, exactly. A drone from your keyboard and a drum machine beat will tell you a lot about any inconsistencies when you playback.

I'd try also bouncing tracks as I've had four tracks develop problems there.

Also, honestly, take a look at the guy's place and other gear, does he look like he looks after stuff? Find out where he got it from, try to get a picture of how well it's been looked after and if he looks uncomfortable about anything.
The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away.

rigsbysmith.com

0wl
pluggin' in mics
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:52 pm
Location: Detroit, MI (Okay, I live in the Suburbs)

Post by 0wl » Sat Apr 02, 2016 11:43 am

Thanks for all the help! I checked out the MKII today and I felt a little bit less foolish having a few things to go on.

Unfortunately though the thing was very obviously in need of service. The tape would not reliably play or record, sound was cutting in and out, the inputs were noisy, etc. I had to pass. I'm thinking about offering him something really low and trying to get it fixed somewhere. But with issues that serious I'm not sure how easily somebody could get it up to speed, or how much it would cost.

The saga continues, I guess! One lesson I've definitely learned is that once you've got a working tape machine, hold onto it! It seems buying another mixer would have been a much easier task than finding another working recorder.

Wish me luck on my search!

Rigsby
mixes from purgatory
Posts: 2908
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:34 am
Location: London, England
Contact:

Post by Rigsby » Sat Apr 02, 2016 11:25 pm

The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away.

rigsbysmith.com

Jim Williams
tinnitus
Posts: 1135
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 8:19 am
Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA
Contact:

Post by Jim Williams » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:03 am

Tascam was bought by Gibson. They fired all the old people that worked there, Jim Finch, the long time service manager retired.

Then they threw out most all the old parts stock. If you want to buy anything Tascam, buy a couple extra for spares.
Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 43 guests