Anyone want a 488mkii?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nate_dennis
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nate_dennis

nate_dennis

Well-known member
Ok. So I am going to sell the 488. It's a Mkii. The only issue is that the capstan belt is slipping. I paid $250 from a board member here, but since the belt is slipping, I figured $200 would be a break even price. I've realized that at this point in my life, I don't have what it takes to work on it, much less a more complex machine. So I'm going back (with my tail between my legs) to digital for a while till my life settles down and I can build a proper studio. I know there's a whole page devoted to adverts, but I figured you guys in here are the only ones that would really care for it anyway. Let me know if you are interested. Price is negotiable but I would respectfully ask the buyer to pay shipping. (I think it was less than $30 to send it from NJ to an APO.) I hope you are all well.



-Nate
 
Nate, in one word NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't go back to digital! You will not like the sound!!!!!! Don't do it man.
 
LOL!!!

It's funny. I actually got really depressed for days thinking about a lot things...and this was one of them. I kind of always held out that this could be some sort of living; either recording or gigging/selling records. But I'm slowly coming to terms with the idea that this is just a small hobby for me and a few friends. I'm not commiting to digital. When I get settled I'll probably build an analog 8 or 16 track studio. But I'm moving to Turkey for a year, then who knows where and the constant movement wouldn't be good for any of the gear. You all have been so nice and informative, and believe me, my heart is still in this, so I'll still be around. I just can't do it at this juncture in my life.
 
nate_dennis said:
LOL!!!

It's funny. I actually got really depressed for days thinking about a lot things...and this was one of them. I kind of always held out that this could be some sort of living; either recording or gigging/selling records. But I'm slowly coming to terms with the idea that this is just a small hobby for me and a few friends. I'm not commiting to digital. When I get settled I'll probably build an analog 8 or 16 track studio. But I'm moving to Turkey for a year, then who knows where and the constant movement wouldn't be good for any of the gear. You all have been so nice and informative, and believe me, my heart is still in this, so I'll still be around. I just can't do it at this juncture in my life.
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I'm really sorry to hear this news. I understand things happen and no traveling for the gear would probably be bad. To bad you can't just sell it and get a small 22-2 or something cheap to mess with. The best of luck man.
 
Thanks. It's been a real learning experience.
 
The 488 isn't that big.:D Put a new belt on it and hammer away on some music man!;)
 
Nate, seriously, put up some pics and we'll go through servicing it together. We'll help you out.
 
i have always said i would rather record with the crummiest analog system than the best digital system and i still find it to be true. if it came down to it, i would be using a tascam portastudio that fits under my arm over any kind of pro tools system!
 
nate_dennis said:
I'll open her up this weekend and post some pics. I appreciate the encouragement. Do you think replacing the capstan belt is required or might there be another fix? Thanks again guys!
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Sounds good, man!:) Yeah, open 'er up, put up a dedicated 488 thread, along with some large, clear photos and we'll go step by step, even if it takes weeks or months. Seriously.

Take your time, put the 488 on a "work table" and, while we're working on your recorder, track on something else in the mean time. Don't sell the 488, whatever you do. It will be a learning experience but then you'll gain confidence servicing analogue, which is really part of the ownership of this type of technology.

Yeah, it may be a pain in the ass and burdensome, on occasion, but that's why you'll be going slow and getting help from us here.

Be sure to get a system going where you know where each screw goes (I used labeled zip-lock bags). Again, we need to go sloooow.

No, there is no work-around on the belt issue. You need to get one and I'd suggest you buy from TASCAM direct. BEFORE doing this, however, we need to know if the 488 has a control belt (probably does) and this should be ordered as well, tho it may still be fine.

We'll not get into idler wheels or capstan roller yet and while it'd be good to replace that as well, I think we can hold off from doing that, for a while, to first get your 488 and confidence rolling with just the belts, actually getting the deck to work properly.

Get some overall and closeup (make sure it's in focus) photos going of the critical areas.... Again, in your own time. No rush.

Lets get into the capstan belt area first. We need to have a virtual tour.
 
Oh, by the way, Nate, don't try to undo anything surrounding the capstan belt structure just yet. It can be easy to screw up here by taking out unnecessary screws etc.... If you provide a photo, we can figure out how to best access the belt first and then we'll do the actual removal etc..:) It should be pretty painless though but it's best to proceed methodically. ;)
 
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