setting up a 388 after shipped

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shedshrine

shedshrine

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Been looking for one for a couple years, off and on. Hadn't been willing to pull the trigger on a couple fairly local ones (sf bay area) that had popped up. Just closed the deal on one on the east coast billed as like new condition (fingers crossed). It's going to be boxed up at a UPS store. Bubble wrapped unit, put in box, bubble wrapped box, placed in second box. Hoping this proves adequate, 388's the behemoths that they are .

In any case, the purpose of this (my first) post is to find out what precautions or steps should one take before firing it up. I will definitely take off the back and make sure nothing's been jarred loose. I have read somewhere that with 388's the heads are pretty much bolted in place and good to go, that re-alignment might not necesarilly be a requirement here. Scarcity of heads for these really makes me want to check that idea out.


Thanks in advance. And very glad to find this resource! :)
 
Bubble wrap by itself generally sucks, especially with heavy items like a 388. The first drop and the bubbles burst, the you have nada protection. Double boxing is the way to go, but I prefer the unit wrapped in bubble wrap thennd then a tight pack with loads of foam peanuts. They do a much better job and are "survivable".
I have shipped and received several 388's, and most shippers under-pack them. (Ask the man from Bloomington...he knows).
UPS is probably the WORST packers on the planet.

I'm not trying to make you paranoid, just giving you the opportunity to dialogue with the seller and packer before you end up with a trashed machine.

Once you get it, check the card and you should be set to go.......
 
Thanks technoplayer,

I pretty much just quoted you in an email to him just now. Great to know...
 
shedshrine said:
Been looking for one for a couple years, off and on. Hadn't been willing to pull the trigger on a couple fairly local ones (sf bay area) that had popped up. Just closed the deal on one on the east coast billed as like new condition (fingers crossed). It's going to be boxed up at a UPS store. Bubble wrapped unit, put in box, bubble wrapped box, placed in second box. Hoping this proves adequate, 388's the behemoths that they are .

In any case, the purpose of this (my first) post is to find out what precautions or steps should one take before firing it up. I will definitely take off the back and make sure nothing's been jarred loose. I have read somewhere that with 388's the heads are pretty much bolted in place and good to go, that re-alignment might not necesarilly be a requirement here. Scarcity of heads for these really makes me want to check that idea out.


Thanks in advance. And very glad to find this resource! :)
Click to expand...

Oh please, if it's not too late, tell the seller to help you crate the thing with additional styro inside and have it freighted to you. The UPS store is the BIGGEST fuc*ing SCAM going. Idiots work there with no ability to pack.
 
Aye yay yay. I will go with crating and freight. This shipping is going to end up costing more than the unit. But I guess I'm okay with it. I have spoken with the owner, and it truly is brand new.

Of course in talking to him about the deck I just had to ask him why he would buy a $3,000+ peice of equipment in 1989, try it out, decide it wasn't right for his needs, and not return it. Turns out he was a studio musician in Philadelphia working with artists like Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. He bought the last unopened box 388 the store had. He unfortunately was coming down with m.s., and intending to fight it, kept his gear as inspiration towards that end. Quite a story.

WHich brings me yet another question. He hasn't turned the thing on since 1989. Will the electronics be okay? Do things dry out or fail from non use over such a long period of time? What should I look for?

Thanks
 
The electronics will probably be ok.

The rubber will likely be bad... drive belts and capstan. It’s possible that the capstan is ok, but the belt will usually be like tar at this point. These are easily replaced.

Lubrication in motors and other moving parts may have settled and changed in viscosity from light, free-flowing to thick or even gooey. You’ll want to get new 3-in-one or sewing machine oil in the motors, capstan flywheel, pinch roller, etc. He’ll no doubt be sending you the user/maintenance manual if this thing is new.

Check out the TEAC motor oiling syringe w/instructions from “theteacman” on ebay. If you don’t win this one, he has them listed all the time. I use his product and can recommend it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330038398708

Tim
:)
 
shedshrine said:
Aye yay yay. I will go with crating and freight. This shipping is going to end up costing more than the unit. But I guess I'm okay with it. I have spoken with the owner, and it truly is brand new.

Of course in talking to him about the deck I just had to ask him why he would buy a $3,000+ peice of equipment in 1989, try it out, decide it wasn't right for his needs, and not return it. Turns out he was a studio musician in Philadelphia working with artists like Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. He bought the last unopened box 388 the store had. He unfortunately was coming down with m.s., and intending to fight it, kept his gear as inspiration towards that end. Quite a story.

WHich brings me yet another question. He hasn't turned the thing on since 1989. Will the electronics be okay? Do things dry out or fail from non use over such a long period of time? What should I look for?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've seen the auction. He had a $600 Buy it now, didn't he ? Tried it out for "15 minutes" etc ..... Yeah, I saw that and thought if it really was in that condition then this was an awesome deal! Believe me that anything other than proper crating with extra styrofoam padding (shipped freight) would be a bad idea and most likely would damage that beautiful 388. Having this crated and shipped freight would probably cost about $300 total. WORTH EVERY PENNY!

I've had a never used 1987 TASCAM 34B, an almost 20 year old machine and the electronics were fine. Sounded and operated like new but the belt was starting to go. (Easy and cheap to change belt). I also bought a 20 year old never used TASCAM 30 mixer with everything working perfect. It helps that the mixer (and recorder) was in its original packing and plastic bag as this helps with retaining the condition.

I can't speak for your 388 but definitely good advice from Tim (Beck), as always! :)

Btw, does the 388 come in its original box with original packing ? If yes, then you can just place it into a tightly fitting wooden crate and if there are any void spaces, you can fill those with styro panels so that no shifting of the original box inside the crate occurs.
 
I spoke with a local ups store, and the lady there was quite frank about UPS ground involving conveyor belt sorting, and packages dropping from various heights, some quite high, and often onto other packages. Yuck! Freight would involve more forklift type movement. The overnight and 2nd day options were just too much money. And of course got the insurance, so should be good to go. Will be very relieved when the thing gets here..in one peice!
 
Double boxing with foam blocking on the top, bottom, sides and corners, &

bubble wrap the entire machine & put cardboard over the mixer & plexiglass tape cover, all taped securely in a bundle completes rest of the picture. ;)
 
Hey! When are we going to make some music with all of these 388,s?
 
shedshrine said:
I spoke with a local ups store, and the lady there was quite frank about UPS ground involving conveyor belt sorting, and packages dropping from various heights, some quite high, and often onto other packages. Yuck! Freight would involve more forklift type movement. The overnight and 2nd day options were just too much money. And of course got the insurance, so should be good to go. Will be very relieved when the thing gets here..in one peice!
Click to expand...

Forklifts are fine when the machine is secure in a wooden crate. Are we to understand that you went with the crating ? I hope so! :confused:

Yeah, that lady is correct. It's not unusual for packages to be dropped (on any side or corner) from 5 or 6 feet up, with typical boxed shipping.
 
Herm said:
Hey! When are we going to make some music with all of these 388,s?
Click to expand...

I think all we're doing now is some major hoarding! :D
 
Who me? I think you are confusing me with someone on the west coast.
 
cjacek said:
Forklifts are fine when the machine is secure in a wooden crate. Are we to understand that you went with the crating ? I hope so! :confused
Click to expand...

Yeah, her point was that ground, regardless if the handlers used kid gloves, would still smack stuff around with the conveyor belts drops, but that freight used different (gentler) methods, ie: forklifts. And yeah, when it ships out Monday it will be crated.

cjacek said:
I think all we're doing now is some major hoarding!
Click to expand...

This will be my second time as a 388 owner. The first I bought new being flush after a summer job on an oil tanker(!?) I had to sell it for airfare (to get to Japan for an English teaching gig) I have a couple reels from that time, but the tape has the nasty sticky shed syndrome. (a freind tried to run it for me on his 388 across town. What a mess.)
 
Heh, heh. I only have 4 388's!

So what?!?!? :eek: ;)
 
Let me say this Dave. I just got done moving a month ago from one side of town to the other. And I had to take all of my shit out of the basement and put it in a truck and then put it in my new basement.
There is no way I was going to trust anyone to move this stuff but me or maybe you but I didnt think you would be willing to come to Illinois to help so I didnt ask :D .
Anyway it made for a very hard move and I know that in about 3 to 5 years I will be moving again :eek: So this time I think I am going to start selling a few items to lighten the load before next time.
I am 53 now and I dont think there is anyway in a few years I will be able to do it again. Its just too hard.

I should of collected more Fostex r8,s instead of 388,s and 38,s ;)
 
You think 388's are backbreakers?

Try lifting 2 or 3 M-520's by yourself. After that, moving 388's is a cakewalk!

(PS: I have also changed my living arrangements, /film at eleven/, so I've been in a phase of getting ALL my equipment outta boxes, etc., and moving & stacking it ALL OVER THE PLACE, for purposes of proper setup. NOTE: GEAR IN STORAGE BOXES DOES NO ONE ANY GOOD. Anyway,... I know all about being all torn up from moving tons of gear!!! My gear moving/staging/setup is ongoing,... but I surely know how you feel!) :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: ;)
 
BTW, many congrats and good fortune on winning the free dream house!

One look at you, and anyone could tell you need LOTS more room for your TASCAMS! Eh,... I mean family! :eek: ;)
It could not have gone to a more deserving person,... (except me, maybe!)
Heh, heh. :eek: ;)
 
Soaking up the archives, but in the meantime...

Turns out, in the sellers small town community, the ups store there has some boxes and popcorn and that's about it. Crating? um, you could ask Bob the crab trap builder. Seriously. He also builds pallets. And unless the shipment weighs 125 lbs, it won't go freight.

Seller mentioned freightquote.com. Will check that out.

Seller also brought up idea of purchasing some kind of anvil case, and shipping that to him. Then box that and ship it some way.

Any leads on a satisfactory solution very welcome! I'm like an expectant mother for god's sake....
 
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