Tascam 238 Chipmunks

[mikemorgan]

My TASCAM 238 records the first six minutes or so of every sessions too fast! It generally sppeeds up a song by 5 or six semitones making the material useless. After this initial leader, it gradually gets to a normal and even speed. I have tried increasing the leader length, and 30, 60, and 90 minute cassettes with the same results. I've heard of these machines playing back at half speed or something, but it usaully doesn't correct itself. This machine may be haunted. Any ideas?

[Track Rat]

The capstan motor may be taking a crap.

[mikemorgan]

Any idea what that would cost to fix? Can I buy parts and do it myself? Any test proceedures I can try?

[The Ghost of FM]

There is also a capstan drive belt which may be loosing its grip and might be easier to replace then the motor which may or may not be defective.

A third possibility is a weakening electronic component in the power supply and voltage regulation that feeds and controls the motor's speed.

Best bet is to take it to a qualified service center and get an estimate so that the problem is diagnosed and fixed right, the first time.

Cheers! & good luck with the repair.

[A Reel Person]

The 238 is Direct Drive Servo Capstan, so there is no belt. Sorry!

It's the motor itself, losing it's servo control. There's no fix for this, except to get a new capstan motor. I'm not sure if it's that easy to replace yourself, and I'm not even sure if Teac has or replaces the motors in it's service department, but it's your only solution. I assume at this point that Teac has the motor, and will replace it for a service charge.

I have a 238 of my own that needs the capstan motor, too, so I know exactly what you mean. Mine goes "warp" speed, pretty much all the time. I'm in the same boat as you.

"Hello,... Teac Service?..."

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally posted by A Reel Person
The 238 is Direct Drive Servo Capstan, so there is no belt. Sorry!


"Hello,... Teac Service?..."

My apologies.

Thanks, Dave.

[A Reel Person]

Usually "the belt" is the right answer for this question, on most of the other equipment we've ever discussed. Ha.

[Track Rat]

I have two 238's. One needs the ider motor and the other needs the heads lapped or replaced. Dave, do you know if they still do work on these things? I'd like to get one of them funtional and transfer some old tapes.

[mikemorgan]

Yeah, (dumb question from a noob) where does one find a Tascam repair center in the US? I'm in Illinois.

[A Reel Person]

Gonna check that, asap. I believe they do work on all old Teac/Tascam equipment, so go for it.

Teac's in Montebello, Los Angeles, CA. You can find their address on the Tascam dot com website.