Head re-lapping or replace?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MagnumPI
  • Start date Start date
You could hear playback,but it would be muffled,with no highs.If playback sounds as good as the other tracks-something else is wrong.
 
I don't know if this is the 'proper' way to do it, but it seems like ruling out head issues would be pretty easy.
Can't you just inject a signal at the solder lugs on the head whilst recording?

I'm guessing even touching them would result in recording a buzz?
That should prove the fault to the head(or alignment), or elsewhere in the system.

I'm a complete rookie, though, so sorry if this isn't great advice!
 
The problem with the edge track might be tape related. If a new LPR35 tape is used on the machine and it still has a problem then the tape path alignment may have been affected. Believe it or not there are some guys out there that adjust levels on a machine by moving the heads position. I would make sure that they did not work on any more of my equipment as this is a amateur characteristic and incorrect way to do things. The last guy who I talked to that worked on that model was Bob Shuster at Shuster Sound in the New York area. I will not even take them in as they are too difficult to work on and I can not warranty the item with no heads available. I have on the phone cautioned people away from this format and they should be using a Tascam 38 as a minimum. Stop using 8 track on 1/4" tape that is foolish and not supported by anyone anymore. You could talk to John French about lapping but I hardly think the unit is worth all that effort.

It is not the first time I heard about LA (Montebello) service woes. I heard them all the time and while working at Chicago Factory Service was calling clients that sent the machine to the wrong service station and they had told me the unit was at Montebello already and that they wanted it fixed correct this time. The Chicago Factory Service was actually in Arlington Heights on Golf Rd.
I still work on a lot of Tascam and Teac units but the 388 is one that is not an option due to it's size and no heads.

Sam,
 
I have on the phone cautioned people away from this format and they should be using a Tascam 38 as a minimum.
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Ha! yea. but then I would never have had to learn so much about repair!
 
skywaveTDR said:
I have on the phone cautioned people away from this format and they should be using a Tascam 38 as a minimum. Stop using 8 track on 1/4" tape that is foolish and not supported by anyone anymore. You could talk to John French about lapping but I hardly think the unit is worth all that effort.

I still work on a lot of Tascam and Teac units but the 388 is one that is not an option due to it's size and no heads.

Sam,
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This makes no sense. If someone has a machine in working or serviceable condition to get it working, there's no such thing as "wrong" format. There's no such animal as a "Minimal" format either. All these machines are vintage. They will either work or they won't.

You're basically saying, "throw it away" as a blanket solution when troubleshooting is incomplete. That's no help at all.
 
Since Chicago Factory Service disappeared more than 20 years ago,your comments about LAFS,(at least up to last year),are disingenuous at best-and I knew Denny.
 
An update: I got my 388 back from TEAC repair yesterday. The head was relapped and the machine seems to be working very well. Track #1 is recording fine and there is no original crackle. So after 1 month and about $600 in repair I think I am ready to start some recordings.
I'm very excited to get into the 388. Im lovin the sound. YES!!
Here is a picture of the newly relapped head. re.webp
 
That's the erase head.The R/P head is the one next to it on the right.Show me that one.
 
Ooops. :drunk:Here are some pics of the record head.
I did a full session today and... she is purring like a cat. I'm LOVING the 388.relapped 1.webpre 2.webpre 3.webp
 
Just an FYI.It doesn't look like they rotated the fixed guides.I see grooves and flat spots.Normally when the head is re-lapped those fixed guides are rotated to present a "new' wear surface.One picture looks like it shows a lip.The head should be smooth across the head with no notch/lip the width of the tape.They also would have to do a complete recalibration,including the bias traps, after the head was re-lapped...
 
They also would have to do a complete recalibration,including the bias traps, after the head was re-lapped
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They said they did do a complete recalibration. I'm not sure about the bias traps....?
I do see what you mean about the fixed guides. There is a notch. Should that have been done with a recalibration normally?
P.s. see my new thread on stopped playback.
 
Is there a notch in the head the width of the tape?Or is it smooth from top to bottom?If the head block was removed-it had to be if the head was re-lapped-it would take maybe two minutes tops to rotate the guides.
 
Is there a notch in the head the width of the tape?Or is it smooth from top to bottom?If the head block was removed-it had to be if the head was re-lapped-it would take maybe two minutes tops to rotate the guides.
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Realy? Wow that sucks for me. Yea I asked the Tascam repair guy in Montebello about it today and he said "next time we get it relapped he will rotate the fixed heads".....what the?
I guess I finally have a reason to sign up for a Yelp account.
 
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