Tascam 488 Maintenance - A Risky Purchase in 2016?
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Tascam 488 Maintenance - A Risky Purchase in 2016?
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
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
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.
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.
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- A.David.MacKinnon
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Re: Tascam 488 Maintenance - A Risky Purchase in 2016?
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 buy0wl 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
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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?
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?
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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.
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.
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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!
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!
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Don't know if you saw this.. http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopic.php?t=88103
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