clydebisbee
New member
Howdy Folks, Very first post here. Just scored a silly deal on a 388 (well, just how silly remains to be seen, I guess), it was included as part of what I would call sort of an estate sale. Paid $375 for a bunch of 80's rack gear, 2 combo amps, a WEM Copicat tape echo, Tascam 234 Syncaset and the 388. The 388 is in very good cosmetic shape. Hasn't been used since 2013. The previous owner seems to have taken very good care of his gear, as he had a Heath Spectral Analyzer (which I also now have), oscilloscope and other tools of the trade. It came with 6 reels, of which about 2 appear unused. I'm speculating that the other 4 reels represent the sum total of the deck's usage, but no way to know for sure. He bought it new in the 80's and from what his Wife said, he used it perhaps a handful of times each year, maybe less. After he passed, his Wife took less than good care of his "toys," and the 388 was being stored on its side in a walk-in closet. Even tho' it was in a basement, it seems to have avoided a lot of dampness/humidity, something that some of the other gear did not. It has collected some dust and grime, tho'.
I'm sure I'll be posting some questions, but I've got more testing to do...It powers up and all the meters and lights work. The tape transport is not behaving (i.e. ff/rw moving slowly, and sometimes not at all, play button lights but doesn't seem to be working properly, etc., etc.). I've ordered a new belt (haven't looked at the current one yet). I've also tested the mic-level xlr inputs, and on every channel the OL lights up when the trim is turned up all the way, but no VU meter activity and only the faintest hint of distorted sound in the headphones. I've pulled and reseated all the cards behind the vu meters. No discernable change. Fuses all tested good for continuity. Next up, test line inputs. UPDATE: Reading through Tom Brennan's blog, where he mentions "...Since pressing on the top mixer plate seemed to help with the problems, that gives me the impression that we simply need to reseat some connections..." so I tried it and it worked!! All channels. Secondly, thru a further search I've just learned how/when/why the vu meters work, and yes, all of mine are working (except I haven't yet tested the main Stereo L/Aux & Stereo/R Effect, I assume those are playback). So at this point, indications are good. I'll crack open the bottom panel, firm up the channel cards, if not reseat them (maybe I'll pull them and blow off the dust) and have a look at what's going on with the capstan belt. Very excited to have figured out that the mixer section appears to be good-to-go!
I seem to be on a roll lately....picked up the 388 on Monday, Tuesday night I scored a pair of Yamaha MSP5's on CL for $50, total!
Regards,
-Clyde
I'm sure I'll be posting some questions, but I've got more testing to do...It powers up and all the meters and lights work. The tape transport is not behaving (i.e. ff/rw moving slowly, and sometimes not at all, play button lights but doesn't seem to be working properly, etc., etc.). I've ordered a new belt (haven't looked at the current one yet). I've also tested the mic-level xlr inputs, and on every channel the OL lights up when the trim is turned up all the way, but no VU meter activity and only the faintest hint of distorted sound in the headphones. I've pulled and reseated all the cards behind the vu meters. No discernable change. Fuses all tested good for continuity. Next up, test line inputs. UPDATE: Reading through Tom Brennan's blog, where he mentions "...Since pressing on the top mixer plate seemed to help with the problems, that gives me the impression that we simply need to reseat some connections..." so I tried it and it worked!! All channels. Secondly, thru a further search I've just learned how/when/why the vu meters work, and yes, all of mine are working (except I haven't yet tested the main Stereo L/Aux & Stereo/R Effect, I assume those are playback). So at this point, indications are good. I'll crack open the bottom panel, firm up the channel cards, if not reseat them (maybe I'll pull them and blow off the dust) and have a look at what's going on with the capstan belt. Very excited to have figured out that the mixer section appears to be good-to-go!
I seem to be on a roll lately....picked up the 388 on Monday, Tuesday night I scored a pair of Yamaha MSP5's on CL for $50, total!
Regards,
-Clyde