Searching for tape heads for a Tascam 388

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berrygoldwater

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So I recently purchased a Tascam 388 on craigslist, and of course it doesn't work. I took it in to get serviced and the heads need to be replaced (they've already been relapped and can't be relapped again). The technician has not had any luck finding a new record/play head and says it's up to me to track one down as they are no longer manufactured. Any idea where I can hunt one down? Really don't wanna let this one go, part number is 5378-30-6000.

Thanks!
 
These are long-since unavailable new.

Best option is to look for a parts unit with serviceable heads.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
 
This is pure supposition on my part, but I don't see why the head from a Fostex 1/4" 8 track machine couldn't be machined to fit.
 
Maybe, but the cost would be fairly expensive to do so properly, and you'd want somebody like John French to do it...proper precision machining equipment would be important and people who know magnetic tape heads handling the process. Also the Fostex track specs are not the same as Tascam's. Tascam was pretty secretive about the specs on the 388 head. And the Fostex heads were gapped for 15ips, whereas the Tascam was gapped for 7.5ips. This may be fine depending on what the response curve looks like on the Fostex head and where that lands after moving down an octave with the slower speed...but then again keep in mind there may be effects on that response curve anyway by the mating of the Tascam electronics and the Fostex heads.

Anyway, is this all to say you couldn't take the 388 block and the Fostex head to local reputable machine shop and have them get it on there? Nah...I'm just saying there's more to the picture in my opinion than just doing that, and it may result in "Hmm...it works and sounds alright, but doesn't sound as good as I expected/like I expected."

Also keep in mind there will be incompatibility of tapes recorded on other 388s. Not that they won't work, but there will be response issues.
 
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