Tascam 388 motor seems "tighter"

[MagnumPI]

I just got my Tascam 388 "refurbished" recently at TEAC in Montebello and have noticed that the right wheel seems tighter than before. When I start to wind the tape it is a bit harder tighter. Also had a few misfires with the RTZ (it would stop at a random spot half way to zero), and also the tape seems to be sitting in layers, what I mean is I see ridges in different spots on the newly wound tape (right side).
Also the play button might be louder when it engages...
I dont think they changed the bands (sorry for my lack of technical terms).
Any ideas?
Thanks Guys.

 

[A Reel Person]

Ok,...

The reels are held in place during stop mode by 2 brake "bands". It should not be any worry if the reel hubs seem tighter when winding (threading) a tape on(to) the transport, as long as (the brakes release and) they turn freely when in tape motion/operation. (Also would be worrisome if they were too loose and tape would "spill" off the reel when Stop function is pressed).

To avoid stretching or damaging the tape when you mount it, just help thread the tape onto the takeup reel by hand-winding the supply reel in the process, nice and gently with both hands. until it's properly threaded and ready for action.

When you fast wind a reel of tape in either FF or RW, the layers of tape will sit unevenly, and that is normal. To avoid this, take your new tape, put it on the right side, and rewind it fully before each session. With the tape all on the left reel, then proceed to do your session normally. When you're done, rewind and re-thread the tape on the right reel and use Play mode to wind the tape entirely onto the right reel. This should give you a nice, flat tape pack, which is most desirable. Store your tape, having been flat wound onto the right reel, in the box in what's known as "tails-out" orientation. When you begin your next session, put the reel of tape on the right side again and fully rewind to the left side in preparation for tracking. Having a nice even tape pack on the reel helps avoid edge track damage during handling.

[edited for clarity]

 

[A Reel Person]

Rtz

I had another reply for the RTZ issue that got lost in a failed web transfer

The only thing is tape count is determined from an optical sensor beneath the tach roller, which is the one to the right of the capstan. The bottom side of this roller should be aluminum/black segmentation that's read by a 2 phase sensor, determining motion, speed and direction.

If the "white" (aluminum) surface of the bottom side of this roller is tarnished or dirty, it may interfere with proper tape counting and RTZ or locate functions.

I don't think the above "reel-is-tighter" problem has anything to do directly with the RTZ function missing, but it should not be ruled out and/or bears out more experimentation.

 

[MagnumPI]

Thanks Dave! Ill check that tach roller.

 

[wkrbee]

Take it back.I doubt if the tape tensions and brake torque were set up correctly.Tape tension will affect the RTZ function.