Tascam 238 tape speed problem - Help

  • Thread starter Thread starter edeghaye
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edeghaye

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Hi there

Bought a second hand tascam 238 a couple of days ago. No manual though.

I have a problem with keeping the tape speed correct. For some reason, if I record something playback speed changes, even during the session. I know that there is a synch option, that runs normally on track 8 (?), and I have
disabled the 'sync' switch' and 'filter' switch on the back, but it stills runs funny.

For example; I recorded something yesterday, all worked fine, and this morning, the tape runs at half speed...

Does anyone know about this? Is this worn out tape motors, or am I doing something wrong???? (or has someone instructions that they could share with me)

Help appreciated, rather than going back to the store and asking for my money back.... at the risk of looking stupid....

regards to all,
 
Mine is doing the same thing. The capstan motor is hosed.
 
How much does that cost to have done by a qualified tech? When the time comes
 
Hi all

More info: the unit works well, when hot, and very slow when cold.

Well, I did disassembled the whole thing. The motor has no belts, (direct drive) so these are not to blame... Afer further investigation and major disassembly, testing, and all other associated electronic bits, it appears that some transistors and capacitors in the circuit behind the main capstan motor are to blame. If I freeze them with a special spray the unit slows down.....

I don't know yet if you can repair the board, (cheapest, but requires specialized equipment), change the board (15 minutes job plus parts cost) or change the whole motor (20 minutes job, plus motor cost.)

I don't know about parts costs in Belgium. Probably horrific....

The alternative is to take my hair dryer, and heat up the motor from underneath...... Not my favourite option....

Regards to all,
Eric
 
maybe you can try turning the 238 on and letting it "warm up" 15 minutes or so before you use it.It Might do the trick for a long time. They are great decks
 
parts in belgium, it could be worse. They arent going to charge you a increased rate or anything phenominal, but just the regular price, you're lucky that its tascam not fostex, tascam still has good support for their analog machines. when i lived in england fostex was starting to give the shaft to all things analog.

looking at the manual for my Fostex reel to reel, the circuit boards are repairable, but some parts say only to be bought directly from fostex, some are generic. i assume this will be quite similar to tascam's analog circuit board designs. just trying to help.
 
Tascam 238 Speed problem

Hello. I know it's been a while since you had your slow speed problem with the 238 but I'm haveing that same problem now and I wonder if you have any tips for me? Thanks for your help.
 
das234 said:
Hello. I know it's been a while since you had your slow speed problem with the 238 but I'm haveing that same problem now and I wonder if you have any tips for me? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

As mentioned above, the capstan motor controller board is prone to failure and needs to be rebuilt in many cases.
 
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