Tascam 22-2???

  • Thread starter Thread starter MartyMcFly
  • Start date Start date
M

MartyMcFly

New member
How?
What are peoples opinion on a Tascam 22-2? Generally how much would one go for shipped? Also is the 22-2 pretty much the same as a Tascam 32 just smaller and only able to take 7" reels instead of 10 1/2" reels?
Thanks
 
MartyMcFly said:
How?
What are peoples opinion on a Tascam 22-2? Generally how much would one go for shipped? Also is the 22-2 pretty much the same as a Tascam 32 just smaller and only able to take 7" reels instead of 10 1/2" reels?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Before going any further, seriously consider finding one locally (or making a pickup) rather than getting it shipped. Damaged decks are an epidemic, with idiot sellers who can't pack and those who can are far few.

As to the quality, if it's a low use machine, and has minor service performed prior to use, is a bargain in sound fidelity. Half track on 1/4" tape. You can get one for around 100 bucks, more or less.

By minor servicing I mean change of capstan belt and pinch roller and checking if the little rubber washers on the solenoid plungers are still intact or gummy and sticky. If the latter, remove them (and clean / lube plunger if neccessary). They serve no use other than making functions a bit more quiet and will fuck things up if they go bad.

If you still INSIST on shipping then I can give several photo tips and recommendations. Let me know. I'll also tell you that shipping Fedex express or overnight lessens chances of damage quite a lot but costs lots more.
 
It's a great little machine. It's the only half-track I own at the moment and I love it. Sound wise it's comparable to the 32 and other machines many times it's cost.

The down side is it only takes 7" reels and has no bells and whistles like auto location points or anything like that. But at 15 ips you have over 22 minutes of recording time with the recommended 1-mil (1800 ft) tape.

None of these issues are a down side to me personally, as I prefer smaller reels for mastering… easier to manage. Because it is a very simple design there are fewer systems to fail. Basically it just works and works well.

It sounds peachy with many different tapes and is an absolute breeze to calibrate.

Tapes I use with it:

Quantegy 407 & 457
3M/Scotch 207
EMTEC LPR35 & SM468
Maxell UD 35-90 & XL 35-90B

It was one of the lowest cost half-tracks ever made and thus easily underrated or more probably overlooked. It’s a true gem if you find one that has been well taken care of and heed Daniel's advise on shipping issues. Because it's much lighter than something like a 32 it has a better chance of surviving shipping if packed with care.

~Tim
:)
 
Hi,
Yeah Im gonna buy one from ebay. It appears to be a nice little unit. It looks good cosmetically and the auction described it as fully functioning. With NO problems.
When I get it if its actually in great shape I will be selling my Tascam 32. Its just too big and bulky for what I want it for. I am already selling my NOS Quantegy 1/4" grand Master 2500ft. 10 1/2" reels on ebay. I also have a shit load of 7" reels and plan on taking 4-5 of my quantegy tapes and replacing the crap that is on the 7" reels and selling what is left over.

1 question. Will the Capstan or pinch roller on the 32 or 22 be interchangeable? That way I can keep whichever is better.
I got the Tascam 22 for 70.00 shipped. Lets hope it arrives working...
 
MartyMcFly said:
Yeah Im gonna buy one from ebay.
Click to expand...

I don't mean to beat this thing to death [nor be patronizing toward you] but you really can't take this packing / shipping issue lightly. As you have not shown any apparent concern over the packing / shipping issue, which I brought to the table, I sincerely hope you know what you're doing or have full trust in your seller.

Will the Capstan or pinch roller on the 32 or 22 be interchangeable?
Click to expand...

Doesn't look like it: http://www.openreel.net/parts_3.html

I got the Tascam 22 for 70.00 shipped. Lets hope it arrives working...
Click to expand...

Great price but I'd be more interested in how it was packed and shipped. :eek:
 
Last edited:
A bit of shipping advise.

1. Don't be afraid of offending the seller by communicating what you expect as far as safe shipping.

2. Ask him to remove the feet and put them with the four screws in a zip-lock bag.

3. Ask that he ship the unit on its back and clearly mark "This side up" on the top of the box.

4. Ask that the unit have ample padding on the bottom (3" or so) and around the sides and top, but especially the bottom.

5. JUST SAY NO TO PACKING PEANUTS! Make sure he understands that packing peanuts will do nothing to protect an item like this. Styrofoam, bubble wrap and even a thick layer of loosely crumpled pieces of newspaper are far better options.

6. See Daniels excellent packing/shipping thread and send the seller the link:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=229729

:)
 
Great info, thanks Tim! :)

I'd like to add that using Fedex Express, Overnight etc... seems the best option as far as actual shipping is concerned. I know it costs more but the less stuff is in transit the better (provided that adequate packing is used, of course). ;)
 
Beck...cjacek...
Thanks for the Excellent advise on shipping. I already asked the guy if he wouldnt mind double boxing it with a couple inches in between boxes. He said no problem. But what does a person do if you ask them to ship it like you guys said. The guy says sure...Then it arrives "on the cheap"... Not packaged like we agreed upon? Is there anything I can do. The price does include shipping insurance but I will be paying by Postal Money Order...(Paypal doesn't like me).
 
MartyMcFly said:
But what does a person do if you ask them to ship it like you guys said. The guy says sure...Then it arrives "on the cheap"... Not packaged like we agreed upon? Is there anything I can do. The price does include shipping insurance but I will be paying by Postal Money Order...(Paypal doesn't like me).
Click to expand...

Oh shit, that sounds EXACTLY like me a few mnths back! :eek:

Paid via MO, told seller, in a painfully detailed manner, how I'd like it packed, arrived smashed, not packed as promised. :mad:

One of the things you can do, if it arrives smashed, is to go through the typical damage claim [specific to your country], if it was insured. Another thing is to prove, to eBay, that it got damaged as the result of incompetent packing. Tough to do. I pick option 1.

BTW, when you receive the recorder, it may not show apparent external damage. Examine the recorder very, very closely, expecially for internal injuries. [Happens when not enough shock absorption packing is used]. Figure the recorder will be dropped numerous times from 5 - 6 feet up, with your typical / standard shipping option. Can the seller's packing withstand that?

If the seller cares at all and is not some arrogant prick, tell him to thoroughly read the link Tim (Beck) placed above.
 
Quick bump for a question:

Can you put rack rails on a 22-2? I only see them for the 32 and 42.

Thanks.
 
So the rails for a 32 would not fit a 22? I have to find rails that were made for the 22?

I have an unused mixer rack that would be perfect for my 22 if I can find rails.
 
Tascam 22-2

I just recieved a 22-2 yesterday, with fedex shipping the total was 99.99.
It arrived in 3 days in excellent condition and sounds great.
by the way, what do you think of ampex 641 as a recording medium??
 
haroldaj said:
by the way, what do you think of ampex 641 as a recording medium??
Click to expand...
It's for voice recording, apparently. If you're trying to get an early 1960s not-very-hifi sound it might be worth contemplating but IMHO there's a considerable risk that it'll simply disintegrate. Apparently the stuff is old enough that it doesn't have the sticky-shed problem though.
 
tascam 22-2

Thanks JP, that was my first post, I'm getting back into R2R's after 30 years, my first and last deck was a pioneer T-6600.
 
interesting thread guys.

i recently found myself in possession of a tascam 22-2,,,my first r2r deck, and so far i love it!!

i bought a dbx150 to go with and ran a few of my old sessions through the setup and i'm instantly hooked!!!!


quick question though, since we're all 22-2 users....

what tape do you guys use??

i had no tape and on forum advice bought a reel of quantegy 478, but i'm thinkin of buyin some more to have, and i don't wanna waste the cash on the wrong kinda tape!
 
LPR35 here. I have two 22-2's and a 22-4.

I keep wanting to try some other tape, especially Quantegy 407 but I never get around to it. It sounds like the electronics in the Tascam distort before I get enough tape saturation, but I'm relatively new to these machines so take my opinion lightly.
 
Beck said:
It sounds peachy with many different tapes and is an absolute breeze to calibrate.

Tapes I use with it:

Quantegy 407 & 457
3M/Scotch 207
EMTEC LPR35 & SM468
Maxell UD 35-90 & XL 35-90B
Click to expand...

I currently have mine setup for 407, but I can use any of the above tapes without recalibrating. I just hit the tape harder when using, 457, LPR35 or SM468. But I don't often do that since I prefer the +3 tapes like 407, 207 and XL 35-90B on the 22-2.

I'm a big fan of the 22-2 and there are a few mods to get even better performance. I've moded one of the two machines I have and use the other mostly for tape echo.

478 isn't a good match for music recording... I would avoid that. For optimum performance for the 22-2 it's also best to stick with 1 mil thickness tape like those I've listed above. The exception being SM468.

:)
 
thanks for replying! i really appreciate your experience..

given how happy i've been so far with the 478, i can't wait to try some of the others now!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top