388 maintenance new to it

[AaronRead]

Hello ,

I just got a 388 about a week ago for 300 and had a few questions.

How often do I have to clean the tape heads?
When am I demagnetizing?

also, in order for this machine to rewind I need to give the reel a little help with my hand spinning it(but not touching the tape!) Will this be ok? It's not really something that bothers me and I would like to hold off for a while sending this thing to get repaired?

2 more questions or rather I'm asking for any good tips on a good affordable demagnetizer. And since I've never bought tape before what kind would be good for someone just beginning I saw the thread with all of the different tape kinds and I'm using that to find tape right now but it would be cool if someone had an Idea of a good cheap starter tape!

Thanks in advanced and sorry if this is a repetitive post I'm sure these questions have all been answered before but I can't seem to find them in the threads!

Aaron

 

[AaronRead]

also what kind of solvent to use? I'm seeing advice of low water content rubbing alchohol or denatured alchohol......

 

[j.harv]

Welcome to club 388!
Im fairly new too as I have only had my 388 for a couple months now.But lots of knowledgable people on here concerning the 388.
For cleaning heads....its good practice to clean before and after every use.Demagnetizing Im not sure after every use but maybe once every few weeks.Im sure someone will correct me on that.
As for your rewind problem,that could be a slight adjustment of the tension arms that might solve it.
I got a teac E-3 degausser off of Ebay for 25 bucks.Thats the model the manual suggests,but Im sure you're gonna hear Han-D-Mag mentioned too.
As for cleaning solvents,I use 99% isoproply alcohol.This has lower water content in it than lower grades(70%..etc..).
I guess the tape of choice for alot of 388er's is LPR35.I got a reel for around $34CND.
Hope this help and I hope someone corrects me if I have made any mistakes.
Take care
Jason.

 

[cjacek]

How often do I have to clean the tape heads?

After each recording session is a good rule of thumb.

When am I demagnetizing?

I know that some will disagree but I am of the thought that unless the heads came in contact with some magnetized object (like tools being used near the area) or you have no idea of a machine's history or after servicing, I see no reason to demagnetize often. A valid argument can be made either way but mine is just to leave it alone.

also, in order for this machine to rewind I need to give the reel a little help with my hand spinning it(but not touching the tape!) Will this be ok? It's not really something that bothers me and I would like to hold off for a while sending this thing to get repaired?

First, I'm not a fan of sending a machine off to a tech. Many are incompetent. First tell us what EXACT tape you're using and the state of the tape path (ie: are the heads and everything the tape touches mirror clean?). The 388 transport may be having problems with tape that has become sticky. More details please.

2 more questions or rather I'm asking for any good tips on a good affordable demagnetizer.

The best and the only to use (on 1/4" transports and higher) is Han-D-Mag. You wanna stay away from those which have an ON / OFF switch. Those are dangerous as is the process of demagnatizing (if you're not well versed as to the procedure).

And since I've never bought tape before what kind would be good for someone just beginning........... it would be cool if someone had an Idea of a good cheap starter tape!

Find some Maxell UD 35-90 on eBay. If you find a new / sealed one for around 10 to 15 bucks, grab it. There's also used ones and, while I generally NOT recommend buying used, this tape is usually fine to record on and doesn't go bad. If it looks really beat up, don't buy but if it looks well kept and clean, why not. Good shape used ones I'd grab at maybe around half of a new one. They're a real good fit for a 388 and are remarkably stable tapes so I have no problem recommending those, even used (with the warnings being heeded).

also what kind of solvent to use? I'm seeing advice of low water content rubbing alchohol or denatured alchohol......

Use only isopropyl alcohol, at least 90% and clean in the direction of the tape travel.

 

[AaronRead]

"First, I'm not a fan of sending a machine off to a tech. Many are incompetent. First tell us what EXACT tape you're using and the state of the tape path (ie: are the heads and everything the tape touches mirror clean?). The 388 transport may be having problems with tape that has become sticky. More details please." - sorry couldn't figure out how to quote

cool thanks so much for the time and advice people!

I just got it a couple of days ago so I only have the tape that was in it when the guy was showing me the 388. So it could be the tape that is the problem, I guess I'll find out when I put new tape into it. I have yet to check the heads put I'll go out and buy some isoproply 99% and give them a clean and report back on this thread! So yeah super old tape and I probably need to clean the heads, I'll message back if the rewind problem is still happening.

Also, in light of the tension needing to be adjusted that could be the problem too because I find if I put my finger on the far left arm and put the tiniest bit of pressure it starts to rewind and go fast but when I take my finger off it starts to slow down.....hm.

Thanks again for the great advice and I'll report back when I get the chance!