Otari MX5050 8 track for $350

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Hi_Flyer

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The tech that told me my Tascam 38 was junk is trying to sell me an Otari MX5050 8 track for $350.

freshly calibrated, biased for 456, head alignment. he might even throw in test tapes.

Its just sitting in his basement collecting dust. he said wants to see it being used.

how can I pass this up?
 
Answer: you can't. Guaranteed working local Otari 8 track? I'd pay double for that situation.
 
Hi_Flyer said:
The tech that told me my Tascam 38 was junk is trying to sell me an Otari MX5050 8 track for $350.

freshly calibrated, biased for 456, head alignment. he might even throw in test tapes.

Its just sitting in his basement collecting dust. he said wants to see it being used.

how can I pass this up?
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While there are many variables at play here, ask the tech to demonstrate the full functionality of the said recorder, including recording and playing back several test tones. If all checks out, pay the guy but also ask him to give you 48 hours to put the recorder through its paces, in your own studio. That way you're covered should something not be right. Yeah, $350 is a good deal if the recorder is in fine, tuned up condition and if the heads are still OK.

In addition, you can part out your 38 and recoup some of the cost and if you're blessed, you'll have a working Otari and a couple of hundred bucks from parting out your 38. ;)
 
should I part it out? I was thinking I could get rid of it as is for a least what I can get the Otari for, if not more.

I happen to think the Tascam deck is in better shape than what the tech was leading me to believe. After he pitched the Otari it made alot more sense. he just doesn't feel like working on the Tascam when:

1)the Otari is much easier to service
2)the Otari is a better deck and he wants to see somebody using it and he knows I will put it to good use and take care of it
3)he's willing to let the otari go for cheap

So he doesn't want to waste time mucking around with the Tascam 38 even though it might not be completely shot.

The Tascam deck works, its in better shape than the "parts" decks I see on ebay. I'll include the re-lapped heads from reel pro sound... I dunno, I just think there is some life left in this machine. Parting it out seems like such a hassle too.
 
We can only go by what you tell us and from that alone, we gave several opinions why it would not be a good idea to put more money into a seemingly worn out 38. If you think your recorder can stand to be put on eBay "as is" then go for it, but, if you describe it (and its issues) as you did to us, in earlier threads, then don't be surprised if you get peanuts for it.

With regard to the OTARI.... Check it out yourself and don't rely on the word from your tech.

The one thing you get from this board is, more or less, honest, objective thought, from people who have already been there, where you are now and we want to steer you right. Be careful with the OTARI and, once again, take the recommendation of actually checking the recorder out yourself. Again, it's a good deal IF all is good.
 
Hi_Flyer said:
2)the Otari is a better deck and he wants to see somebody using it and he knows I will put it to good use and take care of it
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:eek: Uh-oh… did he wipe a tear from his eye and call the Otari, "His Baby" and maybe have a name for it like Betsy or something? Was there any type of hugging moment or an awkward silence were one might fit a hugging moment?

If you sense any TV preacher/used car salesman type behavior whatsoever… get away fast!

From what I know about this guy from your posts I wouldn’t buy that particular machine, even if you do decide to go with something other than the 38. But the something else I would go with before making any decisions is another tech. Forget this guy as having any involvement with your pursuit of analog.
 
Hi_Flyer, from what I gathered from your previous post, your 38 has a "dying reel motor", that there are some "issues with the tape transport", that it needs "an alignment pretty badly" and that you saw that the "wear pattern on the heads is uneven" and that there are "are flat spots on the lifters". Is this it or are there more problems and are you sure of the above and how severe is it? Can you verify these yourself or are you relying solely on your tech's word?
 
no, I'm not just taking his word on the problems with the deck, he showed me what to look for on the heads, I noticed the flat spots on the lifters when I bought the deck (which should have been a clue)... all in all, I think the tech is being straight with me on stuff, and at this point I understand why he wouldn't want to waste time fixing it.

The reel motor wasn't the problem, it was a power supply issue, which the tech has supposedly fixed (haven't tested yet- just picked it up and I'm in the middle of a move). The problem was old/bad/leaky caps (and an easy fix I presume?). Plus I have another motor (though it is also used).

as far as the transport, i guess the "issues" are just fine tuning things or minor adjustments that I felt needed to be done in order to get the transport running a bit more smoothly, for example I think it needs a tension arm adjustment on the take up motor side, maybe a few more things but I can't remember since the tech has had it for awhile.

I bought the new heads already and I would include them in the sale for the deck. They would need to be installed, but i would include them with the deck.

The deck was working well enough for me to record with it in July, the only BIG problem was that rewind was slow due to the power supply problem and that should be fixed now... but who knows what could go wrong next, and I do understand that is a consideration for a deck that has seen some tape.

I have about $400 into the Tascam, if I could get that back for it I would be happy. hell if I could get $350 for it, its a free upgrade to a much better deck.

I see crap machines go on the bay in that price range all the time, parting it out seems like such a hassle too, although in the long run maybe I could get a little more cash for it in pieces...

I dunno... what do you guys think I can get total if I part it out?
 
damn dude I would fix your 38, AND get the otari. a 38 with new heads, PSU recapped, a spare motor, and it only needs minor adjustments?? I don't get whats the problem with it? A working otari for $350 is a steal...have him recap that one too and you'll be in business with either machine. Keep in mind that these machines run at different levels, so depending on whether the rest of you gear runs at -10 or +4 it might make your decision easier.
 
...so I tested the deck about an hour ago, rewind is still slow. I dunno if I should try to pull that motor and throw the other in just to see what's what, or just sell the thing as-is.

FALKEN, I'd love to keep both, but financial and space constraints prohibit it right now.
 
Maybe it's just me but I would not keep putting money into that 38. Leaky / bad caps on top of that?? What next, bad solder joints and a complete failure of the said machine thereafter, after you throw in another 400 or 500? Unless you're technically inclined and can do most if not all of these jobs yourself, don't do it. From what you describe this machine is in awful state. Cut your losses now and sell the thing "as is", especially when you're on a budget. Also, my thinking is, if your tech really was a greedy bastard who wanted to get money out of you, wouldn't he keep working on your 38, even in a half assed way? Of course he would. Something tells me he's legit and is steering you in the right direction.
 
I guess the only question on the 38 at this point is whether to part it out or sell "as-is"...

and yes, I now think the tech is legit, although a poor communicator. He could have just told me straight up: "hey I don't feel like working on this deck cuz its a PITA to service, buy my Otari, I'll sell it dirt cheap."
 
Hi_Flyer said:
I guess the only question on the 38 at this point is whether to part it out or sell "as-is"...

and yes, I now think the tech is legit, although a poor communicator. He could have just told me straight up: "hey I don't feel like working on this deck cuz its a PITA to service, buy my Otari, I'll sell it dirt cheap."
Click to expand...

Yeah, communication (or lack thereof) is always at the root of all issues so that's that but I do share your conclusion with regard to this. That does not mean, however, to let your guard down, if you catch my drift.;)

Well, selling it "as is" may prove to be of benefit to your time and be a headache free transaction but parting it out, piece by piece, may prove to put more money in your pocket (or may not) but come with more headache and time you put into it. Is your time more valuable or the possibility of getting a couple more bucks interest you more? Do you wanna just sell it, move on, even if you don't get half of what you want for it? If it were me, I'd sell the damn 38 "as is", as in get it the hell out of here asap, and start recording on the OTARI (that is if it proves itself in the way of functionality and performace). Again, have the tech demostrate that all is good with the recorder and, in addition, get him to give you, on paper, a 48 hour "check out" period, for the recorder, so that you know for sure, in your own environment, that all is OK.
 
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...probably just gonna throw the 38 up on ebay in a couple days. I just moved and I'm trying to gt settled in to a new place so I don't have time to tear this thing apart and I want the cash quick cuz I got some recording projects lined up once I get up and running again.

I'm looking for a buyer locally, but if I can't get one in a few more days, to the 'bay she goes...
 
Yup, good move. I'd also start looking for a local buyer first, before going eBay.
 
so I ended up selling the 38 on ebay but the buyer turned out to be local so he came and picked it up... now I can't get ahold of this douchebag tech that wanted to sell the Otari. now I have no reel to reel to deck again.

I'm about to say screw this shit and just go straight to digital. this is getting to be too costly, too time consuming, and WAY too much of a hassle.

If anybody within two hours of Pittsburgh has a decent 8 track 1/2" reel to reel deck they want to sell at a reasonable price, please drop me PM.
 
just add "otari" to your ebay list to keep updated. If you are concerned about $$, time, and hassle, you probably should just go digital. just sayin'.
 
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