New To This Forum & Have a TSR-8 Question

[clyptoad]

I have 2 RTR machines: a TEAC 3340S I bought in 1974 (I think) and a TASCAM TSR8 I purchased used in 1994. Both have been great machines. They both also have some minor annoyances that maybe someone here in this forum knows something about. The left side channels of the 3340S (1 & 2) will occasionally have slightly distorted outputs. If I reach up and switch the simul-sync switch over and then back the distortion goes away for a while and sometimes returns after a few minutes. The right channels work fine. In the case of the TSR8, the transport is acting strangely. I've been storing all my 1/2 tapes 'tails out' for yrs. and when I recently put one on the machine and started to rewind it onto a take up reel, the transport mechanism acted like it was under a heavy load. It started to rewind but then gradually lost speed until it came to a stop and the machine shutoff when the roller dropped down to the off position. During the rewind, if I take my finger and gently lift up on the right roller, the tension relief on the tape seems to allow the reel motors to keep enough speed to use the machine, but it still isn't optimum. Any ideas from anyone on what the problems might be. BTW: Playback and record modes work fine. Another thing that might be related is that the sound I'm getting from the unit is very sub-par; - very muffled. I'm more interested in solving the TSR8 problem at this time and saving the 3340S issues til later. TIA.

clyptoad

 

[jjones1700]

I'm just guessing on the 3340, but it might be something as simple as a dirty simul-sync switch. Giving it a shot of De-oxit might with that.

On the TSR-8, is there any residue of any type building up when you run the tape through the ffwd/rwd functions? I'm just wondering if the binder of the tape is getting a little sticky and causing enough drag to stop the reel motors. That could possibly be the reason for the muffled sound you are getting from it. That would be the first thing I would check since those machines and tapes have been sitting for a while, I'm assuming.

One more thing, check the rubber pinch rollers (since they are probably as old as the machines themselves) to make sure they aren't getting sticky or really hard. If they feel tacky to the touch, DO NOT RUN ANY TAPE ON THE MACHINE. That is the worst mess to clean up and give you a huge headache. You can still obtain a new pinch roller from Tascam if it is indeed bad. However, from what you are saying, the TSR-8 is only acting up on ffwd/rwd functions. Hmm. Like I said, I'm just guessing at this point.