famous beagle
Well-known member
I just discovered this thread and I have to bump it. Apologies.
Sweetbeats - you don't sound like a snob at all. Everything that you said about the machine's operational efficiencies/defficiencies is accurate, as well as the mystique (small bands that got big) behind them.
The Oh Sees (a big reason these machines are jumping in price) are a great band. They could make an amazing record with a cassette four track because they are great musicians that understand the recording process as a way to elevate their art. Enter a younger/artistically inclined brain that is naturally going to be against digital because of wanting to adhere to a specific "scene or sound" and you have these sporadic price jumps in tandem with the supply and demand.
I'm 42 years old now. I bought my 388 when I was 20 for $400 and I will NEVER part with it because of an emotional bond I've developed with the machine...which is mainly due to how it easy it use to run and use when properly calibrated. Is it worth $2K. HELL NO.
To any younger heads that might find this thread...I am not trying to dissuade you...simply inform. For $400-800 you can get a mid to late 80s Otari MX5050 (which another poster already pointed out) which slays this machine. Take it to a tech (there are still a lot in bigger cities) and spend another $400 having it properly checked out and calibrated/biased. The Otari's are workhorses and their spare parts are ample. It might not impart the "lo-fi" sound you are looking for -- which Sweetbeats elegantly summarized -- but you can easily insert pedals ahead of your signal chain and use software (I know I'm the devil) to achieve that vibe. Why not have a tape machine that will last you the rest of your life, get better/cleaner results when you want them, if you want them?
I want to see Otari prices jump on eBay because of this post. Discuss!!
I'm curious to see where you're seeing an 8-track MX5050 for that price. I certainly can't find one for that price after a cursory search.
I'm not saying you're lying or wrong. I'm just sincerely asking where you're seeing that. Thanks