Tascam 238 eating my tapes

  • Thread starter Thread starter rodro
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rodro

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Hello,

I just bought a brand new looking Tascam 238 and am having problems with it. When I was just checking levels to record, everything sounded fine. Once I started to record, however, I noticed wave-y sound come out the headphones. We then started playing and recording and it would stop after about two seconds. When we tried to eject the tape, it was stuck on one of the rotating knobs. A few tapes later, we can't do anything without the tape getting completely wound up around the grey spinning rod. It is the long silver post on the right that it keeps getting stuck on. Can anyone help me with this? I will answer any questions, I'm not very good with tape recording. This is my first tape machine but I've heard they do wonders. Thanks!
 
Sounds to me like the take up reel side is not in operating correctly. I'm not sure if this unit is designed this way (I have a 238-but haven't looked at it in a while) but, try opening the cassette door and hold down the switches that engage the tape. This way, the unit will think there's a tape in there. Press play or whatever and see if the right side reel is spinning. If not, you may a problem.
 
Rodro, keep me posted on the status and I will definitely try and help you. I'll take a look at my 238 later today. It's fully functional, so I it's operating the way it should. This way, I can perform diagnostic tests on mine to help you figure out what may the problem on yours.
:D
 
awesome

Wow, thanks for the responses! I'm off to class right now, but when I get back I will check those things and let you know. Thanks again!
 
I believe that the 238 has rubber idler wheels and I'd bet that the rubber needs to be replaced. That's the first thing I'd check. Even if the rubber is intact, it may be slick / shiny and does not operate as intended. Do me a favor. Next time you're running the deck, look closely at what exactly happens just prior to the tape being eaten. Specifically, look at the spindles, the ones which turn the tape and see if one of them suddenly stops turning. I think it's the right one. If this happens, it's the idlers. Check that first, but a deck of this age needs to have all of its rubber replaced, capstan / control belts, pinch roller and idlers. No other option.

BTW, when checking the spindles, make sure you run the tape in the spot that it ate the tape before, for instance half way or when a certain amount of tape is on the right / left spool etc... For instance, it may not show a problem with the tape starting from the beginning but rather eat tape when the tape is half way or toward the end. Check all of this and look closely what happens.
 
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