Putting tape in a Tascam 38

[burymyteeth]

Those don't appear to be stock 499 reels...they are plastic. I'm pretty sure 499 always came on aluminum reels. If it were me I'd be getting some empty 1/2" aluminum flanged reels and transferring the tape...keep the plastic ones for storing pancakes. To be honest I'd be wondering if it is actually 499...do you know for sure? Sorry if this has already been addressed and I'm not questioning you, its just something that happens far too often I think (people getting duped on tape).

BTW, is that an Ampeg bass cab in the background?

I wouldn't be surprised if the tape is not what the guy said it was. There was only one box that actually said Quantegy 499 the rest were blank white ones from some studio that had a bunch of recordings on them. these plastic reels are garbage, if only i wasn't completely broke. But I payed 30 bucks for ten reels of this stuff, I was very observant when first putting it in and was ready to trash the stuff if i saw that it was shedding anything on the heads or anything like that. So far so good, and it sounds awesome, and my first tape recording ever completely blew me away. I'm in love with this medium, and this is like, worst case scenario haha. so the good news is that it works and i paid next to nothing for it and can learn on it, i just need to make sure it doesn't fly off the machine and decapitate me. when i'm done i will definitely use the reels for storing pancakes haha. i used to work at a TV station so maybe i can call in a favor to see if the radio station there has any empty reels or something, i don't know.

Indeed it is a 70's ampeg 8x10 cab. You can't see the other one sitting right next to it the bassist in my band plays two of those with a v4, we're way into the v4 sound.

 

[burymyteeth]

Those reels do look like they may be a little large but my fisrt thought was did the reel tables get pushed in from being shipped or something.
Could you send a pic of the front of the machine with out the Reels on it?
Take the shot at a angle so we can see if that is the case.

sure i will take that picture this evening.

 

[sweetbeats]

Holy smokes...two 8 x 10 Ampeg refrigerators...AND a v4...

Used to be in a reggae band and the bassist at the time used an original GK-400RB with the Ampeg 8 x 10 cabinet and it was the most amazing sound...absolutely incredible. Granted he has modded the electronics in his original 60's J-bass and done some stuff to the cabinet, but it was a treat even to hear him tune up.

Also later played in a band with a different bassist who used the same head but had the 15 x 2 folded horn version of that cabinet. Didn't have the same round punch of the 8 x 10, but it growled very loudly.

Had the opportunity to borrow an original Ampeg B-50 combo amp once...wow...so incredible sounding. No eq needed really. Just sweet stuff.

Okay. Back OT. Look on eBay for empty reels. I do a search for "reel, tape" and keep checking because sometimes there will be a set of 3 or something that will go for $20 or so. If I had spares I'd help you out but I don't. Sorry.

 

[burymyteeth]

Holy smokes...two 8 x 10 Ampeg refrigerators...AND a v4...

Used to be in a reggae band and the bassist at the time used an original GK-400RB with the Ampeg 8 x 10 cabinet and it was the most amazing sound...absolutely incredible. Granted he has modded the electronics in his original 60's J-bass and done some stuff to the cabinet, but it was a treat even to hear him tune up.

Also later played in a band with a different bassist who used the same head but had the 15 x 2 folded horn version of that cabinet. Didn't have the same round punch of the 8 x 10, but it growled very loudly.

Had the opportunity to borrow an original Ampeg B-50 combo amp once...wow...so incredible sounding. No eq needed really. Just sweet stuff.

Okay. Back OT. Look on eBay for empty reels. I do a search for "reel, tape" and keep checking because sometimes there will be a set of 3 or something that will go for $20 or so. If I had spares I'd help you out but I don't. Sorry.

yeah, we play pretty heavy instrumental music so the bass is super overdriven through those two cabinets, it really rattles your brain haha. i would love to get my hands on one of those 2 x 15 cabs, i play two 2 x 15 cabs and a v4 with my guitar rig, ones some old custom job i found used in a guitar center and the other is the matching cab from a superbassman rig, i just prefer 15s for guitar. we like lots of speakers haha. i appreciate you're willingness to help me out with the reels, i'll definitely keep an eye open on ebay so i can get rid of this plastic crap asap.