scored a tascam 688= repair question

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Hi, There HAS 2B an easier way to find my way BACK to this forum. Dam, I bookmark it & I still seem to need a GPS. Anyhow, It took me a while but I just HAD to state: I happen to remember to NEVER, NEVER, EVER, use Alchohol on Rubbers !! On Tape recorders too lol. ONly the HEADS. In fact, It was told to me by TASCAM tech, back in '90's I could also use "baseBall glove teeatment" as well as their tascam BELT treatment--which i always used--until some 5+ years ago. Oh God, as i sigh deeply, I'm NOT afraid to get my screw-drivers & elbow deep inside my beloved 688 as well as the 244, just a lack of confidence & patience. but I gotta do it for I will share w you my desire (no my WIFE says NEED) to make room. i BETTER MAKE ROOM ! So I will offer my Tascam 144 & 244 here 1st, this 3rd of July 2009. I won't rip anyone off, just especially need to be covered for the shipping--I'll let the local UPS store pack it up really safely. My 688, God love her will be soon to follow once I repair the belt & she's able to record. All the inputs on all my tascam gear was tested last week--still lights up & works, just the certain 'rubber stuff' needs repair. They were NEVER in a smoke environment for as a SINGER, i never allowed it in my hotel or studio. They simply suffer from Lack-a-musical-nookie. Keep in touch & please feel free to post me directly as i can NOT find this page quickly. dont811@bellsouth . net Thank you for all your help & especially patience. I just truly HOPE someone can benefit as much as I did from a good Four-Track analog. Thanks again. Don PS I feel like I am offering up 1 of my children for adoption...maybe 'cause i am.
 
dontaylor said:
I'll let the local UPS store pack it up really safely.
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Whatever you do, don't do that! They're mostly staffed by morons and incompetence abound. Do it yourself (properly) or you'll have one unhappy buyer. What's "properly"? Buy an over-sized box, tightly wrap the units in thick / large bubble wrap, a good several inches thick (6" would be best each side) and make sure that nothing shifts in the box (placing extra padding in void spaces).

If you feel secure enough to toss the packed 144 / 244 down a flight of stairs or drop it, several times, from 6 foot up, then you have packed it properly.

Forget "UP" and "Fragile" stickers. They don't do anything. Packing is your assurance and most people don't do it right, hence the epidemic like shipping disasters with vintage gear.

Again, give it up to the UPS store and you might as well put a hammer to your portastudios. It'll amount to the same thing, more than likely.
 
SUCCESS! Tascam 688 back in business.

Got the spindle cap from Tascam today. Put it all back together and everything is working. Played some of my old cassettes already and will be transferring the recordings to my digital audio workstation shortly. Am I allowed to say the word "digital" in this forum? :)

Anyway, belt replacement on the 688 isn't super simple, but it's doable by an intermediate electronic hobbyist. If you choose to have someone else do the repairs, I recommend a VCR or cassette repair shop instead of a guitar shop. They'll have a little more experience with the rubber and the moving parts.
 
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sweetbeats said:
no-no-no-no

DO NOT use alcohol or any solvents on the rubber parts.

Pinch rollers love being cleaned up using window cleaner or dilute soapy water, or even just straight water.
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Thanks Sweet. I was going to spend 20 on cleaner no I will try your suggestions.
 
thanks for the repair instructions.email me about the pdf..any one have any ideas on a preamp and eq for recording guitars?i had a art eq and preamp that was so-so in sound quality.teac corp said they have 1 drive belt left for 9.99.should i get the one you listed for 1.25 or go for the exact replacement.right now i took three screws off from the back that did not need removing.looks like i will need needle nose plyers to hold that back midi part forward so i can put the screws back in.
 
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I don't know what to suggest about the Tascam belt. I would have bought one, but when I called just a week ago, they didn't have any and said it would be end of July. So my choice was easy. Yours choice is more difficult. The belt I got works fine.

Here's a simplified update for the 688 belt replacement. As I was putting it back together, I checked to see what had to be done and what didn't, so this makes it a bit easier.

1) Remove the right side casing panel, 2 screws. That's the big thick trapezoidal plastic part on the right side. Screws are on the right. After you take the screws out, you might have push the panel down to release the slide tabs. Left panel does not need to come off.

2) You only have to loosen two screws of the top cover panel at the rear of the unit. The screws you loosen are the ones directly above the cassette drive panel.

3) Remove the wrist rest pad. By loosening a total of 5 screws. You do not need to remove these screws. Only loosen them. There are 2 + (meaning PLUS not MINUS) screws that you get at from the bottom near the front. These two screws are not right on the bottom surface, they are further in and you have to reach them with a screwdriver. The wrist rest bracket has holes on the bottom to get at those screws. Every unit usually has one tricky part that determines a successful disassembly. THIS IS THAT PART FOR THE 688. If you don't do this, you can't get inside, period.

4) Next, you take the tape drive cover panel off by removing 3 screws near the front, three screws on the right side and the two screws in the middle under the cassette door.

5) Remove the vari-speed knob. The panel comes up and you have access to the tape drive. After you lift the cover off the deck, rotate it to the right of the 688 like you would reading a book from end to front.

6) The tape drive is held in place with + screws, one on the left, and two on the right. There is a small circuit board above the tape drive on the right. It does not need to come out.

7) To remove & replace the belt, you have to take off the tape drive mounting bracket on the right side, 2 screws. Then take off the right side bracket, 3 screws. The bracket has one of the motors and a bushing for the capstan flywheel on it. You now have access to the drive belt. The belt comes out with no problem. Take note how it's routed because there is a spacer you need to get the belt around.

8) Putting a new belt on is a little tricky. First, get it on the capstan flywheel, and then bring the bracket with the motor assembly up enough to get the belt on the motor pulley. Once you put the belt on both the flywheel and pulley, bring the motor bracket into position and make sure the belt is on straight and not twisted. Move the motor pulley with your finger and make sure everything moves easily and the belt isn't getting hung up on anything.

9) Make sure the motor bracket is back in place. The two small tabs at the top have to fit into their slots properly for the screw holes to line up.

10) Put all the screws back in the reverse order and you're done. Remember when you're putting the right panel back on, it has to slide into position before it can be screwed in.


As you do this repair, please edit my instructions and post any clarifications here.
 
Again, give it up to the UPS store and you might as well put a hammer to your portastudios. It'll amount to the same thing, more than likely.[/QUOTE]

Hi, I just navigated back here to read all your responces. They're appreciated--I've had to replace 12 "panes" in the drop ceiling and I still have to move stuff around in order to install a badly needed A/c UNIT. Slowly but surely--I've got to finish some video projects then I'll attempt that 688 belt operation. Hmmm I plan on seeing if the 244's belt works & try a "transplant." I know, I know, call Tascam parts. I need a beer, then going to bed. I just can't give up on my beloved 688--she just cost me so damn much & she still looks clean. Night all. Don
 
Ely said:
OK, I called Tascam and got some part numbers:


* Capstan drive belt 580 073 5500 $9.80 B/O :mad:
* Pinch roller 580 109 1400 $5.49
* FF/REWIND Transport Table, Reel Spindle 580 073 1501 $3.10
* Spring for the Reel Spindle above 580 144 3400 $0.41 B/O :mad:

If anyone knows another place to get these parts, please let me know.
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your mad because you have to spend twenty bucks to repair a classic analog 8 track recorder I'm just looking for a manual I'll make you a deal the next time i go to our studio in Kentucy I'll fix it you find me a (pdf)manual

Mugger
 
If I remember correctly scene 10 gives you 8 discreet channels for mixing/recording. I just got mine out of 5 years storage so it's been a while. Scene 93 also does the same thing.
 
I have a 688 manual, the supplemental scene insert and the scene cassette. Are you still looking for any of these? They would have to be copied as they are all originals.
 
Hey Mugger...

Mad? You're kidding right? I was just documenting the parts. As for the manual, you can order the service manual from Tascam. That's where I got mine. I think it was, oh... around twenty bucks. My machine is working like brand new, thank you very much for the offer just the same.
 
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