arrrg388... adjustment issues

[Goldenvoice388]

Hey, I'm having prblems getting my 388 correctly adjusted.

The long and the short of the story: My 388 has had only a few problems:
1. Levels recorded at 0db play back at +3 to pegged.
2. ONE song I recorded - track one faded away as I mixed.

So I thought I'd purchase an alignment tape (21T204) off ebay, and take her in to the local tech for service. Turns out the tech, although experienced in electronic repair, hadn't messed with analog recorders in many years. (He’s still my best bet in this area). He spent 4 or 5 hours on the machine (only charged for one) - and only managed to get it so far out of adjustment that she'll only record on tracks 4-7 - a little signal on 3,8, and nothing on 1-2.

He then called Tascam, and their only explanation was that 21T204 is not the correct tape - that we'd need to use Tascam YTT-1003 to get the job done.

I seem to be stuck.

I'm actually thinking of aborting this all together, and going pro-tools, but it would only happen kicking and screaming!!!!

Where exactly do I go from here? Has anyone actually sent their 388 or other off to Tascam directly, for their boys to f*ck with??????

Goldenvoice