I just got a TSR-8!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ignatius-
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Ignatius-

Ignatius-

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Hey guys... So I'm pretty excited about the TSR-8 I picked up a couple of hours ago from this quirky dude who went digital. It's extremely clean, but I don't exactly know about the heads. This is my first 1/2" machine, so, first-hand, I don't exactly know if there's a slight uneven wear pattern, or if it's a sort of optical illusion because I can't look at the heads exactly perpendicular. What do you guys think?

Everything else looks to be great... the capstan is is relatively clean (compared to my 34), the pinch roller is in great shape, and the tape path in general looks really clean. I'm not 100% sure about the heads... I attached some pictures of the heads, etc. Let me know what you guys think! I paid $450 for the machine, the hubs, two 8 cable RCA -> 1/4" snakes, and an empty reel. He said he had the manual, but he couldn't find it and would let me know if he did... He thought he was overcharging! I thought he was undercharging...
 

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Congrats!

Looks pretty clean and whatever wear there is on the heads, guides and lifters, it seems to look pretty even which is good.

I didn't see you saying if you tested it to make sure all 8 channels record and play but hopefully the seller made some reasonable statements to you regarding that before you handed over your cash. $450 sounds like a pretty decent deal so long as everything is working.

Enjoy and best of luck with your projects with it! :)

Cheers! :)
 
Nice score. $450 for the TSR-8 is what I would consider an Ok deal. I bought one a few years back with the remote for $350 but it has a few small cosmetic issues. The manuals are easy to find but if you need help.. let me know.

It's such a nice machine.

Are you adding to your setup or replacing the 38 with the TSR-8?

Robert
 
Sweet she's a beauty and the cousin of my MSR-16

Congrats on the score.
 
Thanks guys! I guess I'm adding to my setup... I got my Tascam 34 about 3 years ago, and I've been waiting for the right time to add some more tracks - been holding out for a 1/2" 8 track for a while. I was really hoping a 48 or 58 would pop up, and the guy who has serviced my decks in the past said he swore by the mx-5050 8 track. But those decks never come up, ever. I've read some great stuff about the TSR-8, and this one popped up on cl and I had to get it.

The machine is in good working order. I recorded test tones on all of the tracks, and they all didn't waiver on playback and were very smooth, which is good enough for me at this point. He was kind of in a hury and I had to set up some stuff to record, so I was a little rushed. I did the basic test run, and I didn't hear/see any definite red flags. I will do some more investigating when I get a new roll of tape.
 
Might be the angle but the head looks like it has more wear on the bottom edge towards the machine side? If so it will need realigment / adjustment so that the tape angle is exactly flat when hitting the head. The heads will need a relap at some stage if the problem is not dealt with within a few years.

Might be an idea to get the machine serviced now sooner than later IMO The machine looks in good condition however.
 
Yeah, that's what I was kind of thinking... it might be the angle, though. Hopefully it isn't anything serious. I will definitely get it serviced before I start using it - if anything to make sure it's set up for the right tape (and it's aligned properly, etc.). Thanks again for the comments guys!
 
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