Tascam 388 motor/computer problem

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berrygoldwater

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Hi, I've seen a lot of great advice about 388s on here but haven't been able to find this particular problem. I've had this 388 since January and it's been working great, I've been careful about maintaining it and I'm very pleased with the results. Today, while finishing a project, the motor started making a terrible grinding noise. Afterwards, it would not play, ff, reverse, or load. To my horror, when I lifted up the supply reel I saw little chips of plastic underneath from where the teeth of the spool had ground off. When I checked rewind, playback etc without a reel, I noticed that the supply reel was rotating CW every time. So my theory is (btw, I'm 25 and this is my first reel to reel) that something in the computer malfunctioned and made the supply reel head in the opposite direction and grind off the teeth on the spool.
The motor engages like it's supposed to, and appears to work smoothly but in the wrong direction. And of course it doesn't move tape now because the teeth are off the supply reel.
Has this happened to anyone before?
Is that part for the supply reel replaceable?
Are computer problems reparable?
Please help! We're on a deadline and need to finish a record. I appreciate very much the insight.
 
The supply reel will turn CW when no tape loaded. No problem there. Just checked mine to be sure. I also had the tabs break off my take up reel before. Luckily I had a spare reel table to replace it. You might be able to use an epoxy to glue the tabs back on. But I would let it dry for at least a couple days even if it is a quick setting epoxy. There is quite a bit of torque behind those reel tables as soon as you set them going.
 
Thanks! That makes me feel much, much better. I'm guessing I have to replace the whole reel table? Definitely can't glue them back on, they were in tiny pieces.
 
If you need a reel table-I have them with the felt brake band.If you are in the L.A. area I can replace and re-cal.
 
cjacek said:
Why would you want to replace the reel table on the machine? I thought it was just the plastic tape reel that had broke?
Click to expand...

He seemed to be describing it stripping gears, though I assumed the 388 was either direct or belt drive for the reel tables. I don't have one so I don't know how the reel transport works...
 
jpmorris said:
He seemed to be describing it stripping gears, though I assumed the 388 was either direct or belt drive for the reel tables. I don't have one so I don't know how the reel transport works...
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What had happened is the 3 plastic tabs on the reel tables that slide into the slots on the tape reel had broken off on him. The same thing happened to me.
 
j.harv said:
What had happened is the 3 plastic tabs on the reel tables that slide into the slots on the tape reel had broken off on him. The same thing happened to me.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's what I was saying, how I understood it too. The grinding noise and plastic pieces surely were from the reel tables continuing to work while grinding away those tabs. Nothing was wrong with the machine. Then when he was asking about replacing the reel table, I said yikes! Had to ask but, on hind-sight, it's likely the OP had used the wrong terminology when referring to "reel table". Perhaps he meant the plastic take up reel. Two different things. :D
 
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