TASCAM 388 Needs some help!

[RadicalRoses]

Hey guys I'm new to the forums!

So last year I picked up a Tascam 388 from Craigslist and everything has been amazing, up until two weeks ago.

So, whenever I power up the 388 I hear a slight crackle and then a constant hum/buzz, and when I hit play it plays back whatever is recorded on the tape, but it sounds really fuzzy and overdriven... It seems to bypass the mixer all together.

While this is happening the VU meters are all being pushed in the red.

Could this just be a fuse going bad?
or could It just need a nice dusting?
or something serious?

Does anybody know of a tech in MN who could service this beauty?

thanks!

 

[sweetbeats]

Don't know of a tech...fuses don't go bad like that...they either work or don't. I'd start with the power supply, using an oscilloscope to check the DC power rails for AC hash...make sure they are clean and at the proper voltage. If this is outside of what you want to/are able to do then wait until you have a good solid reccomendation on a tech in your area...IMO opinion that's where any good tech should start, particularly if the problem is global (is it? Can you hear the hum in all the outputs?)

 

[robsradio]

I have (2) 388-8s for sale for parts if you find out you need some ..... Rob 214-354-2939

 

[RadicalRoses]

Hey thanks for the info!

also, yes it is coming through all the outputs.

Hopefully someone chimes in with a tech


Oh I forgot to mention, when I lightly knock on the wrist pad by the channel 1 slider the sound clears up a bit, but then returns to the fuzzy sound.