Fostex A8 Deal for $400....should I get it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seafroggys
  • Start date Start date
Fostex A8 1/4 inch tape recorder, Model 350 mixer, all cables, remote control, owners manual and 15 reels of tape.
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If you're not familiar with analogue then you should be especially careful as it's almost as buying a used car. It's a good deal totally depending on condition and head / tape path wear (for the recorder) and you really need to know what to look for. Get the seller to demonstrate recording / playback on all channels. Watch carefully as all functions engage. Reserve a good 30 minutes with the seller, so that he can show you that all is indeed functional and sounding good. Carefully observe how the setup functions and looks, noting any damage, missing parts, strange noises etc..... The rubber pinch roller would surely need to be replaced / rerubbered, as would the capstan belt. Note that parts from Fostex are non-existent but there's a way around that. If the seller can snap a sharp, clear, closeup pict of the heads, post it here and we'll tell you as far as wear.

It's good that the manual is included (and hopefully a service section). Be wary of the 15 reels of tape included. They may be bad, from the sticky shed days. Ask what they are.

If it all passes with flying colors and if the recorder, especially, has not be subjected to a very high amount of hours (usually judged by head / tape path wear), $400 for this setup is a good deal.
 
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The first machine I got was an A8. It was a good machine to learn on, but mine was falling apart and getting it fixed was going to cost several times its worth. So I got a TSR-8 instead.

Basically, you may be lucky, but remember that it could be up to 28 years old.
 
Seafroggys said:
I don't know how good of a deal this is, as I'm not familiar with analog equipment:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/542716169.html

I'm currently running a Presonus Firestudio setup, but for $400, assuming its not a piece of crap, its gear that's just worth having. Should I get it or not?
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I used the Fostex R-8 for a while, which I believe is close to the A-8. I gave up because it had too many electronic issues with tape transport. On the other hand, the sound was OK, maybe a little "flat", but that could be because of the DBX usage (I would certianly use it without DBX now, even if that means more noise).

For the price, maybe you should try to get a Tascam TSR-8 on 1/2" tape, because it sounds *much* better for sure. (I had mine for 200USD one month ago, in good condition). But I see is that you get the mixer for the price, which is balancing my price argument.

Take care.
 
A Fostex 8 track reel2reel for $400 sounds good to me, if its in good condition.:D A good desciption and pictures might help, or even better checking it out personally. You should google around to see what fostex spare parts are about before you open your wallet? Half inch machine might be better, but quarter inch is a lot easier to get tape for? Far as I can remember Fostex is good. It might be a lot safer and simpler just to get a stereo quarter inch for mastering instead?



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Yeah my plan originally was to get a 2 track tape machine for pre-mastering. The mixer really is a deal sweetener, though. Not that I need one, but it'd be the first step towards getting a PA unit, which is always nice to have for rehearsal purposes.

Maybe I can talk my band into splitting the cost three ways, so I only have to pay $134.
 
But guys, we're talking about a whole setup and not only the fostex recorder. There's the mixer, cables, remote, manual, tapes. $400 for just the recorder would be too much, no matter what state it's in but for a whole setup, in really good cond, it's a good deal.
 
Umm EEK

it is not really practical to squeeze 8 tracks on 1/4" tape.

You often run into problems with bleedthrough on paralel tracks.

If your looking for an 8 track machine go for one that uses 1/2" tape.

I used my fostex machine for combining sound effects and i had terrible problems with bleedthough, even after getting the heads adjusted.

So i now use 2 Track stereo machines for all of my sound effect editing.

All i need to get now is another Uher 4200 Tape recorder so i can start recording again xD

P.S i record engine sounds from Bulk Carriers, Container ships, stationary engines and all kinds of steam engines.
 
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Seafroggys said:
I don't know how good of a deal this is, as I'm not familiar with analog equipment:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/542716169.html

I'm currently running a Presonus Firestudio setup, but for $400, assuming its not a piece of crap, its gear that's just worth having. Should I get it or not?
Click to expand...

Oh boy are you lucky, THIS IS A MUCH BETTER DEAL, if you can spring the extra few hundred for this and also a mixer:
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/msg/544602665.html

Why "lucky" you ask? Because it's LOCAL PICKUP!! No having to worry about shipping disasters. Also the TSR-8 is a gazillion times better than this fostex and much more recent. Just make sure you check it all out very, very carefully, as per my previous post. You are indeed lucky.

Oh wait, there's more in your area. This would be my 2nd choice over the fostex.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/544702980.html

Again, condition must be checked out prior to purchase.

Must I do all the searching for ya?!:confused::eek::D:D:D:D:D;);););)

Good luck.;)
 
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