Tascam 388 Problems, Any ideas/Solutions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SwanSong
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SwanSong

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Hi all, I've got a 388 that is in really really great condition, it's always worked very well and done it's job %100. But a little while ago it started acting up. When you rewind the tape, sometimes it would take multiple times for the stop button to work, and sometimes it wouldn't work at all and the tape would wind right off of the other reel. About two weeks after that, the take up reel stopped working completely. It doesn't do anything when you press play, rewind, fast forward, record, etc... Nothing. Nothing happens. It still powers up though. If you try to turn the take up reel manually, you can't budge it. So does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? Is there possibly a quick fix? My band has a show coming up this weekend that we would like to record using the Tascam so hopefully we can get this fixed, but we have no idea where to begin. Thanks.
 
Check all the fuses and verify them to 100% certainty.

......................;)
 
Reel Person...

Thank you very much. I'll check that and see what happens.
 
Alright..

Ok, I replaced all the fuses, the four 3amp 250V Slow blow fuses, and one 4amp 250V slow blow, but that didn't seem to work. These are the fuses that are on the top right hand side of the machine, are these the only one's you meant to check? They're the only fuses that I'm aware of.

Since the take up reel won't even move if I try to move it by hand could a motor possibly be out? Or stuck in the "Stop" position? Thanks for any help.

---EDIT--
Also, I was pressing the buttons to see if anything would work, and the red light comes on for the 'Repeat' function, but the 'Load' light does not come on as it should when you press that button. And it doesn't make any noise like it's even trying to do anything, so I guess that could very well mean a fuse or an electrical problem somewhere. Hope that helps. Thanks again.
 
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Yes.

Make sure the capstan spins when the RH Tension arm is lifted.

Try to determine if the hub brakes are engaging/releasing. You may have to remove the deck cover plate.

As long as the top cover's off, you may want to very carefully reseat the Reel/Servo card.
;)
 
Alright, I don't mean to sound like to much of a dummy but what is the Reel/Servo card? I don't really know anything about the maintaince of the machine, but I do know how to use it. Thanks again
 
Alright, I'm inside..

Ok I got the Tascam opened up and spotted why my take up reel wasn't moving. The metal band that goes around it, which I'm assuming is the brake, was stuck to the felt strip that goes around the reel. It must have gotten to hot and melted to it I guess. I carefully removed that, and it now spins when I turn it with my hand, and both wheels now spin a little bit when I power off machine. The only problem now is the load button doesn't work. I'm certain the board is working because the numbers are coming up on the counter and the light comes on when 'Repeat' is pressed. I took a picture of the inside of the unit, I don't know if it will help anything or not, I figured maybe you or someone could maybe spot a problem that I couldn't see. Thanks!
000_0169.jpg
 
It looks normal.

Now you should put the rollers back on, load a tape, put it through it's paces & observe what's happening.

You should make sure all the solenoids are moving freely, and are toggling back & forth during normal functions. Any sort of stickiness in the soleniods could cause transport problems. You should make sure the brakes release, that the capstan is spinning, & the pinch roller contacts the tape and capstan completely. ;)
 
Reel, I "Reely" gotta thank you..

Ok, so I did what you said, and it worked. But, it then stopped in a weird way. The left hand reel stopped suddenly, or something happened and the little black teeth off of the plastic thing that goes in the reel broke off. I know those aren't the right terms to use but I don't know what they're called. Do you happen to know what I'm talking about? Can these peices be ordered anywhere? Thanks again for all this help.
 
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