Tascam 424 Problem - Is it broken?

[SteveCS]

Hi people,

I just bought a Tascam 424 MKIII from Ebay. BTW, I've no prior experience of using anything like this before. I turned it on, and straight away the tape mechanism started clicking (the kind you get when you press "stop" on a normal tape recorder) over and over again. Also, the word Tascam keeps looping round over and over again on the panel. Nothing I can do will stop the clicking or stop the Tascam word. Is it broken, or have I missed something? I've read the instructions, and they don;t mention anything about this.

Thanks for any help,

Stephen

[andyhix]

That certainly sound unusual. I think you might have a problem. I'd contact the seller and describe the problem, possibly ask for a refund. I think usually "tascam" will scroll across the screen once, and then you should be good to go - your clock will show, etc. Also, the clicking is strange and abnormal.

[SteveCS]

I contacted the seller. Needless to say, he said it worked okay when he sent it, which could well be true.

Update: I tried shaking the machine a bit, and then when I turned it on it worked all of a sudden. However, when I put a tape in it, it started clicking again. I think it's basically damaged in some way.

Thanks for your help,

Steve

[goldtopchas]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Sounds like either the seller is telling the truth and wants to be a shithead about a refund,... or he's lying through his teeth and wants to be a shithead about a refund. It'll definitely won't be a cheap fix. Tascam service is kinda pricey, unless maybe you have a local guy that won't take your head off to do the repair. I'd push for a refund, and if he won't comply, file a complaint with Ebay.(not that it will do much good)

I don't buy this "AS-IS'' crap for items that are listed, unless it's something "for parts". You paid good money for something and expect it to be at least "functional." I like how all these guys...."don't really know anything about this item" or...."I have no way to test this"
Plus --If it was damaged in shipping, it's his responsability to make a claim with the shipper. NOT YOURS! Okay...rant over. Good luck.

[andyhix]

Look for the posts from Clevodrummer in this forum. I think you'll find it's not cost-effective to have Tascam repair the thing. You really need to work this out with the seller. What a pain. Sorry for the crappy luck.

[5-T]

Originally Posted by SteveCS

Hi people,

I just bought a Tascam 424 MKIII from Ebay. BTW, I've no prior experience of using anything like this before. I turned it on, and straight away the tape mechanism started clicking (the kind you get when you press "stop" on a normal tape recorder) over and over again. Also, the word Tascam keeps looping round over and over again on the panel. Nothing I can do will stop the clicking or stop the Tascam word. Is it broken, or have I missed something? I've read the instructions, and they don;t mention anything about this.

Thanks for any help,

Stephen

I've just had the exact same experience with the same model - have yet to contact the seller, as it just arrived a few minutes ago