Ah! just purchased Tascam 388 with odd transport problems? HELP PLEASE

  • Thread starter Thread starter C bop a loo bop
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C bop a loo bop

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Hello All,

Well i just scooped up another 388 that looks great and heads look well too being that they were relapped not too long ago but I'm having two issue's. 1 is that the play/rw/ff/rec funtions will just stop in the middle of whatever function is happening? This happens randomly but can be reset by pushing down on the right tension arm. Just pushing it up won't restart the capstan but down will. Is there a fix for this like adjusting the tension arm's R112 and R212 for rwd/ff. I guess like an overall adjustment. I've searched forum's but haven't found a positive answer except for build up which i didn't see. Thanks!

2. It seems as though the recorded level of most channels is a little bit lower in decibels and has a very faint hint of distortion to it. I'll note that the heads themselves look to have proper wear as far as no cracks or odd shaped wear down as hints of a bad alignment. please help!

I purchased this one out of sure amazement from the first one i got last October. I really really love these machine's and have become very serious about it replacing my computer rig.

Any help on the above two issue's would be greatly appreciated and sorry if this was discussed earlier.

Cheers
C Bop :cool:
 
Hi

A lot of transport problems similar to what you describe can be fixed by adjusting the R/L Tension Arm positions. I'd start there. There is an expected "geometry" of where the tension rollers should be during normal operation. It's in the manual, but rule of thumb is that the centers of the tension arms should intersect on a plane that's described as a "line" that extends from the bottoms of the tack and idler rollers, (R & L, respectively). That's pretty descriptive, but I'm sure there are photos in the archives of this forum that show that alignment. I'd adjust RW speed only after Tension Arm position.

The stopping of the Play function might also point to a worn or failing capstan drive belt. It could be loose and not providing enough torque, or after a period of tension or warm up give up pulling altogether.

The drop in amplitude issue would usually be cured with a proper electronic alignment. The distortion problem might be another story, but might point to dirty contacts in switches or pots, or perhaps a dried out capacitor on the channel board.

388 is Great. :eek: ;)
 
Well the control functions are a bit more stable after adjusting the R112 and R212. It still just stops dead in it's tracks though but not nearly as often. once again if I press down on the right arm it starts up? Ch8 is barely audible with only a small sound of distortion as it's audio :( other channels seem fine but def needs an alignment. Any thoughts on these questions guys?? Thanks!
 
Pls check my edits, above.

Ok, You're the Man.

I'd check the DBX Defeat switch on Channel 8. :eek:;)
 
Thank you Reel!

I'll keep messiin with it and see what happens. Is it fairly easy to pull cards and reset them? I opened up the back to check the belt but wasn't sure how to pull the cards. Thanks again! I'll be posting a couple tunes I just finished on this bad boy soon. In the right forum of course ;)

C bop
 
Hah, Easy!

Reseating the cards is always a good first level thing to try, for many cases and types of problems.

You remove the top cover and a hold down bracket. The cards pull straight up and out. I'd not say it's "easy" the first time. You might pull your darnedest and think they'll not come up, but they eventually will. Just be very careful when reinserting cards and mating the pins, but it's pretty foolproof.:eek:;)
 
Sweet! I'll get on it and see if that clears up ch8.
 
Well I decided to get both my 388's serviced at NJ Factory Service. Heading there tmro and they seem to be THE place that works on 388's regularly. Good price at around $100 to $150 for cleaning,calibrating and alignment. Hope it gets this new one working better and keeps my other one running tip top. Damn I love these machines!! I still can't believe I got this last 388 for $50 off craigslist!!!!!!!! Unreel ;)

C Bop
 
Hi everyone.

Just got my hands on a 388 and I seem to be having similar problems. As soon as I first tried it, i seemed to be working but within very few minutes the transport started acting about and now it does not play. It rewinds and fforwads but it does not play. Sometimes it acts with ff as well. It rewinds more easily. As for playing, it engages and nothing. (I've seen some similar problems where it engages and maybe plays a bit and disengages, but mine just engages and gets sutck). Some comments I've see mention fuses or alignment...

Could anyone help me? It would be much appreciated.

Cheers
 
I'd check the fuses with a multimeter. I've seen similar problems before in a friend's 388/
 
Check the capstan belt.

With no tape loaded and in a quiet environment lift the riht tension arm. You should hear a sweet little whirring sound and the capstan shaft should be spinning.

Hear the sound but capstan shaft not spinning? Probably a bad drive belt.

No sound and no spinning shaft? Not too good. Check them fuses.
 
If you have no idea, on how to fix the usual problems with a 388 that I seem to be reading about. And no idea where to go and get it fixed, should I avoid buying one?

There's one on ebay atm, which I think I could get for around £200. The user claims he's owned it for 6 yrs, and has only used it as a mixer.

Tascam 388, studio 8. Vintage 8 tracks reel to reel | eBay

one of these machines seem ideal for what I need atm, just worried I'll encounter all sorts of issues I wont be able to resolve.

thanks
 
It could be a risk or it could be something as simple as fuses.
Would you be giong to pick this up?
If its close by,you should ask the seller if you could come by and take a look at it.
Maybe take along a set of new fuses and pop 'em in and see what happens.
 
j.harv said:
It could be a risk or it could be something as simple as fuses.
Would you be giong to pick this up?
If its close by,you should ask the seller if you could come by and take a look at it.
Maybe take along a set of new fuses and pop 'em in and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Or DON'T, lest the seller change his/her mind on price! :eek: ;)
 
sweetbeats said:
Or DON'T, lest the seller change his/her mind on price! :eek: ;)
Click to expand...


The 388 is close by, I just wouldn't know what I'd be looking for. £200 too expensive sweetbeats? I asked around yesterday, and was recommended a guy who specialises in analog gear repair. He can service mixers and reel to reel! :)
 
I'm no expert on 388 prices but I think £200 is pretty good if it's a quick fix.
 
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