Life expectaancy of Record & Play Head s

[GlowPlug]

I'm curious if anyone knows what the average life expectancy is for most Tascam 4 and 8 track recorder heads, if properly maintained. I was thinking of possibly buying a Tascam 38, and 34, and the guy who is selling says that there looks to be about 50-60% life left in the heads, and that the wear is even- is that good for these these recorders?

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by GlowPlug

I'm curious if anyone knows what the average life expectancy is for most Tascam 4 and 8 track recorder heads, if properly maintained. I was thinking of possibly buying a Tascam 38, and 34, and the guy who is selling says that there looks to be about 50-60% life left in the heads, and that the wear is even- is that good for these these recorders?

Head life on a 34/34B is 3000 hrs based on 15 inches per second operation. It may be the same for the 38 but I'm unsure. Remember, that if you run your recorder at 7 1/2 ips or half of the "standard" speed, as on the 34, you'll double the head life to 6000 hrs!

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by GlowPlug

the guy who is selling says that there looks to be about 50-60% life left in the heads

How does he know ? Does he have a head report ?

[cjacek]

Tell you what, if you can see the recorder in person or at least get the guy to snap a very clear and closeup photo of the heads and tape path, including the tape lifters, one could normally see how bad the wear is based on grooves or indentation on these so called "tape lifters". If tape has "eaten" through a significant portion of these lifters, as in easily seen by the eye, then be careful. If you can, post a photo for us to see.

[cjacek]

50 - 60% head life remaining with even wear, as evidenced by a qualified tech or head report is not especially bad but such machine should be priced accordingly for it likely will need servicing and a head relap or new heads down the road, which will likely be more expensive than getting another used recorder. If grooves on the tape lifters are significant, you may have to turn 'em over to prevent tape damage.

[GlowPlug]

Thank you for all the help Cjacek. I will try to stop by and take a photo of the head and tape path and post it later today.

Whats a Head Report? Can an qualified technician determine how much like is left on the heads?

and what does the "tape lifters" look like?

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by GlowPlug

Thank you for all the help Cjacek. I will try to stop by and take a photo of the head and tape path and post it later today.

Whats a Head Report? Can an qualified technician determine how much like is left on the heads?

and what does the "tape lifters" look like?

Well, I did mention "head report" only to illustrate that it is rather difficult for one to tell how much life is in the heads without taking the heads off and having specialized optical inspection done by a qualified tech. Unless the seller is one, don't take his word for it. I'm not sure if a used current market price TASCAM machine warrants the expense of such a report, which includes depth of wear info etc .. 'cause there are many 34 and 38 recorders which have way less usage than your example. The best way probably would be to see with the naked eye, and perhaps a magnifying glass, the wear on the tape lifters and if there is a flat spot on the heads which are usually nice and round.

Tape lifters: see those 2 thick poles on each side of the "white" center head ? They go "up" when in play/record and go "down" when in FF/REW to spare head ware from tape to head contact. In the pict they are retracted or in the "up" position. See how nice and round they are without any flat spots or grooves ? Note: this is from another machine, the 388 which has only 2 heads and slightly different look to the heads and such, but it's solely to illustrate the "tape lifters".

[cjacek]

Here's the pict:

[Herm]

Also what kind of money are we talking here? That would help on the decision of getting it or not. If its cheap enough than a machine with 50% head life is a great deal.

[soundchaser59]

I'm no expert, but that picture looks like a heckuva lot LESS wear than I had on my TSR-8 when I got rid of it, and it was still recording and playing back just fine......

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by soundchaser59

I'm no expert, but that picture looks like a heckuva lot LESS wear than I had on my TSR-8 when I got rid of it, and it was still recording and playing back just fine......

That photo is from an extremely low use TASCAM 388 I purchased some time ago. This is an example of an almost factory fresh condition.