Damned 388 anyway.... Arrrggggg.........

[cjacek]

It's a very difficult decision but I would lean toward bring the unit back to them, not authorizing any extra parts or billing and having them just bring the unit back to its original state.

A total mechanical and electrical alignment must be done as per the service manual. They should also turn the tape lifters and possibly guides around or at least polish the edges of the tape lifters. (A legit company would not ignore this). You must insist they do this without any charge to you.

Prior to you arranging any followup servicing, you MUST insist and be assured that the 388 will be demonstrated to be working to specification.

 

[cjacek]

Did the money from your PayPal card come from your PayPal account direct or did it come from your bank or credit card ?

I think you still can claim the PayPal thing, even though it may be past the 45 days. Just explain your situation and do it now.

Seriously, play the fraud card.

 

[cjacek]

Oh, yeah and if you decide to do a followup with this service company, make sure you tape conversations and have stuff in writing.

 

[Goldenvoice388]

Seems I would have nothing to loose except 8 hours of driving by taking it back in, and giving them the opportunity to make it right. Maybe I can even convince them to have the bench open, and do the work "while I wait".

They should also turn the tape lifters and possibly guides around or at least polish the edges of the tape lifters.

Do you know if the lifters and guides can be rotated? The guides do have screws in from the top. The lifters, of course, don't.

IDEA: The wife has been listening through my thinking out-loud all day, and another thought I had, and she backed me up, would be to contact Tascam, and e-mail the head photos to them - for feedback.

Would I gain anything? Maybe a tech note? Condolences?

Joe

 

[Beck]

No doubt... take it back in and insist they get it right... set it up to factory spec.

Sounds like they are already rehearsing to blame it on something else... like the tape.

"Specifically bring in any tape that may be cutting the head or causing damage."

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

What kind of tape are you using, by the way? And do you or they have the maintenance manual?

 

[Goldenvoice388]

They say they have the maintenance manual. I also have teh operators/maintenance manual - which I'll take in again, like I did last time.

I took in a reel of 457. They insisted it should run fine on 456.

I currently have a roll of 456 in the machine at the moment (was remixing a recording from a couple years ago, but also have 6 more fresh reels of 457 (I've made the change) still in the shipping box - came on Monday.

Just amazing... what a day... It's cold and snowy and nasty outside, and I just want to be recording - have a jingle to present at 10 AM tomorrow - guess I'll take in my guitar

 

[cjacek]

Seems I would have nothing to loose except 8 hours of driving by taking it back in, and giving them the opportunity to make it right.

8 hour drive ??? Wait a second! Tell them to send a tech to you (free of charge) and repair what they fucked up. Insist on that. Do you really need the extra stress, time and money of getting that machine to them, so far away from you, only to possibly have them fix nothing or screw it up more and you being even more in the red ? I personally would opt for contacting PayPal or your credit card company or bank and have the money charged back. I can smell fraud a mile away.

 

[cjacek]

They say they have the maintenance manual. I also have teh operators/maintenance manual - which I'll take in again, like I did last time.

I took in a reel of 457. They insisted it should run fine on 456.

I currently have a roll of 456 in the machine at the moment (was remixing a recording from a couple years ago, but also have 6 more fresh reels of 457 (I've made the change) still in the shipping box - came on Monday.

Just amazing... what a day... It's cold and snowy and nasty outside, and I just want to be recording - have a jingle to present at 10 AM tomorrow - guess I'll take in my guitar

If you do decide to take it to them, insist on being right there with them, on the service table, overlooking the entire procedure and have them follow it (from A - Z) as per the service manual section. Then have it demonstrated that all is as specified. I can't believe how amateur, at best, these people sound.

 

[cjacek]

Also think about the dangerous trip ahead of you, in the snow, ice and such and weigh if this is really a good idea or not.

 

[Goldenvoice388]

Well, the weather is breaking, and by Monday will be nice.

I think I will probably go ahead and contact Tascam directly in the meantime, e-mail them photos of the head work, as well as full description of dealings with the service center. Might be informative, as well as a good record of "events". Might get helpful feedback.

I will then, probably, contact the service center, and have the bench open for my visit, and do what you recommended - watch as they get it right.

Or demand my money back.

Seems cut and dried to me at this point - regardless of the "work they performed" - I paid $450 - and the machine is no better than when I took it in!

G

 

[Beck]

When/if you go back to that service center try to be as well armed as possible with information. With a new tape record about 30 seconds or so of a 1 kHz tone on each track at 0 VU. It should playback at or near 0 VU. If the levels are all over the place you can show them something objective as evidence that the machine is out of alignment.

Aside from using an MRL tape they will need the type of tape you’re going to be using to properly calibrate the 388. I would bring that reel of 457 in for them to set it up with.

If they sent the head in to have it relapped, ask them for the paperwork for that transaction. Ask if they sent it to JRF. Whoever they had do it ask to see the head relapping report. It should have details of things like estimated head life left or any issues that could not be completely resolved by a relap.

Is the tape you are using for your tests new Quantegy, or new-old-stock Ampex, or something else? How ‘bout that old reel of 456 you said you are remixing… how old is it? Have you ruled out sticky shed?

 

[Goldenvoice388]

No sticky shed! Proud to report. The 456 is 2 year old Quantegy.
I'll take brand spankin' new 457.

And thanks for all the information - I'm sure it'll come to push/shove. I'll leave the 45 long Colt at home

The tech at Tascam was so helpful early this fall when I talked to him, I'm hoping he may have some advice for me as well. Like maybe - "Don't go back there" - or "have them check the _____"...

The ammo to take is priceless. Keep it coming at will.

I'll keep you guys posted as this unfolds!

G

 

[Goldenvoice388]

I sent an e-mail to Tascam - reads like this:

Hello. I have a Tascam 388, which has been in to one of your Certified Service Centers recently, and I have some questions regarding service completed, and current state of the 388.

I called and visited with one of your technicians on the phone late this summer, in regards to an apparent head alignment issue. Some of the tracks, particularly toward the 'channel 1' end, were playing back at a much different level than recorded at. I was advised at that time to take it to one of the Qualified Service Centers in our area. I inquired about a particular Service Center, and was told they are a reputable outfit, with a good track record.

I took the 388 into Portland 8-29-2006. They guessed that an alignment should take care of the calibration issues. Several weeks later, they called, and recommended the recording head be relaped. This work was completed, and several weeks later, called and recommended one of the bias amplifiers be replaced.

10-10-2006 They called and said the unit was ready to be picked up. The repairs on the unit totaled $422.50

I brought the unit home late November. I started a project recently, and have discovered no change to the operation of the 388 since before I took it in for service. Upon closer inspection, I have found the recording head to be Very Grossly Misaligned. I checked the recording levels with a reel of brand new Qualtegy 457 tape, which is also what I took in with the unit for repairs. Channels one and two, for example, I must record at -20 db to have playback near 0 db. By track 8, recording 0 db returns a playback level of +1.

Here are a couple photos of the head. One can plainly see the gross misalignment of the head, as well as the "tower" shape wear already showing on the head, after only a few hours of use. PLEASE LOOK THESE OVER.

https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/793/388headtiltback1em1.jpg

https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8567/388headtiltback2no5.jpg

https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8853/388headwear1gd1.jpg

https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2608/388headwear3ts2.jpg

My feeling is, besides how in the world could they have attempted a calibration on this machine, is that they misdiagnosed the problem, and that it probably did not need a head relap, and possibly not a bias amp. I have contacted the Service Center in regards to this issue, and they seem willing to work on it some more, but I am fearful they won't be able to bring it into factory specifications. I also feel if they cannot improve the machine any from what it was to begin with, that I should be reimbursed, minus my deposit.

I'm feeling leery at this point of letting a tech work on this machine who would let it out the door in the above condition, saying she's good to go, and charging me over $400. You folks have always been so helpful in the past. I have owned and operated Tascam equipment for over 20 years, and have always received wonderful service and advice from you. Thank you for that!

I am looking for feedback on what to do with the 388 at this point. On one hand, I like to give folks the chance to 'get it right'. On the other, I need my 388 in working order - important part of my livelihood, and need to get it in the hands of a tech I can trust.

If I were to take it back to the Service Center in Portland for them to work in it some more, is there any possibility you would have a tech familiar with the 388 available by phone?

I would like to call and speak with one of your techs, as I have in the past, in regards to this situation, but wanted to give a heads up first (no pun intended), and get you photos of the recording head.

Thank you so much!

We'll see what they have to say!

G

 

[cjacek]

It's a well written letter. I trust someone will respond in a favorable and helpful way. Thanks for keeping us updated.

 

[A Reel Person]

Very Grossly Misaligned

.................

 

[Goldenvoice388]

REPLY FROM TASCAM:

Joe you should take it back to the servicer.There is usally a tech available here to support the servicer.
Jim Finch
323-726-0303 ex.750

 

[A Reel Person]

Jim's the guy,...

a true Tascam analog expert!

 

[Goldenvoice388]

Follow up HERE!

G