Anyone want to fix up a 244?

[leddy]

I have a Tascam 244 that I picked up even though it was kind of rough.

It looks like it sat for a while uncovered. Under the tape door looks clean - even the heads appear clean. The outside is full of dust and the plastic seems faded in spots. It would take some elbow grease to clean it up. I think the belts are goo since it barely turns at all.

I'm not sure I have time to mess with it - I thought I would, but I don't see it happening soon. I'm thinking of just trying to get a few bucks for it and get it to someone who will restore it.

I'd consider paying someone to restore it for me, but the shipping alone would probably make that not cost-effective.

Any thoughts? Anyone want a project?

 

[sweetbeats]

The 200 series Portastudios...CLASSIC! Love 'em...Hm...I have an original manual and a set of knobs for the 244...Hm...

GAAAA!

SOMEBODY SLAP ME!!

Let's see...how would that fit with my current unfinished projects...

* Tascam M-__...10 channels to recap, wrist rest to re-recover, trim panels to fabricate...
* Tascam 234...Take two messed up units and make one good one...
* Tascam 388...finish cleaning up the transport, reassemble and calibrate...amp, dbx and bias cards still need recapped...
* Ampex MM-1000...oy...
* Ampex 440C...where do I start
* Four dbx 150X's to recap...:???:
* CRL SEP400A's to recap and clean up...ung!
* A ton of surplus 'stuff' to organize and sell...
* Sound booth needs COMPLETELY rearranged to accommodate the MM-1000...
* Will need to make up gobs of cables to accommodate the rearrangement of the booth...blech.

n-n-n-n---n---noooooobody's fault (but mine) ~ Led Zeppelin

I.....think I'll pass.

 

[jjones1700]

If you are seriously thinking of parting with it, I'll consider it. I've got two 424mkIIs that are a little lonely. They don't particularly care to be next to their digital breathren, the DP-02CF and the DP-004.

 

[leddy]

update...

I found a tech that is only about 10 minutes away.

I paid him to do the work for me. I now have a working 244. He basically replaced the belts and cleaned it all out really well. He checked everything out and assured me it works like new. I tested it out and I find the buttons do not respond immediately - like you have to hold down the stop or RR buttone for a second or so before it does it. Is that normal?

Cosmetically it still looks a little dirty, but it works. I have more invested in it than I could sell it for now...about $175 ($50 for the deck, $125 to fix it). So I don't know if I should try to recoup some of it or hang on to it. I could use it as a mixer for my 22-4.

Anyway, it is back from the dead. Having spent more than its worth to do it should earn me some good karma. Maybe I'll find an Elam 251 at a garage sale for $2.