Beautiful TASCAM 48 currently on eBay ... MUST READ!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter cjacek
  • Start date Start date
There is a Tascam 58 on ebay right now, that needs repair, and the buy it now price is $549.99.
Man, I would love to have that machine! Check it out, it's frickin' awesome!

Randal
 
Ladnar said:
There is a Tascam 58 on ebay right now, that needs repair, and the buy it now price is $549.99.
Man, I would love to have that machine! Check it out, it's frickin' awesome!

Randal
Click to expand...

Note, the seller doesn't have the tape threaded correctly. That's why it starts playing and then stops.

See those RCA jacks? That's the biggest built weakness of the 58. Those jacks share the same pcb board and are directly attached. A very big design weakness. See, when one of the RCA's is all screwed up (like the damaged one in the auction), it is likely the pcb board might be damaged too (it's all too easy to yank on a cable and screw up the entire board (not just the one RCA jack) and what's more, if you think using the XLR's instead will help, you're wrong for 2 reasons (1) it's a different level input / output (+4dbv - especially inconvenient if you're using a -10dbv mixer); (2) the XLR's will also show signs of trouble because apparently these share the connection with the RCA board. BAD, BAD. It's a bitch getting in there, not an easy access at all. That's where the 48 Tascam shines. The RCA / XLR connectors / assembly and their placement are designed a lot better and access is much easier. If it weren't for the Tascam 58 design flaw, I'd rate it higher than just about anything.
 
Note, the seller doesn't have the tape threaded correctly. That's why it starts playing and then stops.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong, but from here that appears to be 1/4" tape that he has misthreaded on the machine.

I just looked again and that is 1/4" tape. ;)
 
Yeppers, both of you guy's are right.
Threaded wrong and 1/4" tape.
I wonder if the guy did that on purpose so analog folks would drool and say "thats the problem the guy doesn't know what he's doing!" LOL! thus, selling it rather quickly!

Randal
 
Well if you think this is a good deal on this machine, I can go for it but that's a lot of dough for a machine with a bad I/O board. I don't really care about the rca, I'll be using the balanced for my studio anyways...there's a guy in Canada here with a 48 on E-bay but he's got no feedback and his reserve is high, but he's claiming it's in almost new shape...
 
mamm7215 said:
I don't really care about the rca, I'll be using the balanced for my studio anyways...
Click to expand...

You've probably noted this (in my response above) but it bears repeating, that if you're getting connection problems (intermittent signal etc...) from the RCA's, on a Tascam 58, you can bet the balanced XLR's are going to be problematic as well. While not directly attached to the PCB board, the cables (from the XLR's) attach to that "rca board". Bad. The way the RCA's attach to the PCB board (which is as wide as the 58), their rather flaky or flimsy mounting and sharing of XLR connection via cable, is a horrific design flaw. Not even the budget series have this problem.
 
Hehe:D By God, you guys are right... The guy has the wrong tape on there!:eek::rolleyes:
 
Hmmm, well for the amount of money these things cost, good deal or not, it's not worth the hassle for me. It's a shame to see such nice units in such bad shape.
 
You're right. The light is reflecting but it's reflecting off the worn area. Uneven wear, heavier on the bottom of the head in the picture. I take it that's when you would want to relap? Or would that head need replacing? And it's a TSR, unbalanced only, so after all my research, I'm pretty sold on a 48...
 
mamm7215 said:
You're right. The light is reflecting but it's reflecting off the worn area. Uneven wear, heavier on the bottom of the head in the picture. I take it that's when you would want to relap? Or would that head need replacing?
Click to expand...

Good call on the wear pattern! You're right.

Yes, a relap would def be in order and then a total alignment / calibration. If the wear is too severe, too much metal taken off, be it just from one side (can't tell from just a photo), then it would need replacement.
 
I wonder what kind of tape that is on the 8" reel. I don't recall any Ampex 1/2" audio tape that came on 8" reals back in the old analog days. Anyone else have an idea?
 
mamm7215 said:
..there's a guy in Canada here with a 48 on E-bay but he's got no feedback and his reserve is high, but he's claiming it's in almost new shape...
Click to expand...

Ask for a closeup pict of the heads prior to purchase, to verify at least the miles on this machine. No feedback so pay via PayPal or CreditCard for protection or do a local pickup. Ask seller if inside styrofoam packing is in the box and if it's in good shape. No matter how you do it, have the boxed up recorder strapped to a pallet. It won't survive otherwise. If you need more info on shipping, let me know.
 
I asked for a close-up of the heads but the seller is selling for a friend who doesn't want to take it out of the box as it's wrapped and ready to go to whoever gets it. That's what he said, anyways. I've exchanged several e-mails with the seller and he "seems" ok but it does beg a question. The original box does have the styrofoam inside and he said he'd definitely insure the shipping, I'll ask about palletting, if he'll do it. If it's in the shape he claims it would be a score for sure, if not, well... If I did decide on it and win, it would be through Paypal linked to my credit card so protected 2 ways (although claiming and being re-imbursed can be like pulling teeth). I'll keep you posted.
 
mamm7215 said:
I'll ask about palletting, if he'll do it.
Click to expand...

If he won't do it, you need to. Tell him you'll arrange a company that'll do it, if he won't help with it. You'd probably need to also take care of paper work and broker, if you're in the States. Insurance, generally, is a joke, especially when it comes to hard to find vintage gear. Your best insurance is palletizing this recorder. This is really not an option and don't listen to whatever the seller says about it, like "you don't need to as it will be packed well" or "that it'll be insured". Trust me, chances are the 48 will get damaged (even in its factory box) when shipped as is, without being strapped to a pallet.

Palletizing is not at all expensive but can be inconvenient BUT well worth it, as it's much safer way to send. Sure, insure it as well, as a "just in case" scenario.

I too would be hesitant if I wouldn't know the cond of the heads or unless I trusted the knowledge of the seller.
 
K I did it. I bought what appears to be a near-new TSR-8 for $500 (not include ship $76.00) Just didn't feel good about the other deal. I'll live with the unbalanced I/O as I've done a bunch of reading and this unit is generally regarded as better than the 38/48 types. Plus it's newer. Well here goes...
 
i would pick it up/ im in the freight biz...

i have been in the freight forwarding business for over twenty five years.the only way to insure no damage is to go get it period. or use an exclusive vehicle.one man , one van,one trip. you would not believe how many times a single piece shipment is handled.if i HAD to ship it, it would be crated by a pro and banded to a pallet like cjacek said.

but unfortunately money is the object with us all. it really makes me sad to look at the picture of that unit and realize its impending journey.

man i wish i was loaded, i would have bought it and flown down to Fla, rent me a nice sportscar and drive all the way back to Clevo with my arm around that thing like my first sweetheart.

i truly wish the buyer the best of luck...
 
mamm7215 said:
K I did it. I bought what appears to be a near-new TSR-8 for $500 (not include ship $76.00) Just didn't feel good about the other deal. I'll live with the unbalanced I/O as I've done a bunch of reading and this unit is generally regarded as better than the 38/48 types. Plus it's newer. Well here goes...
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter if it's sprinkled in gold, you need to get it palletized, otherwise none of this matters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top