TASCAM 388 Transport Problem

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388!

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Hello
I just picked up a Tascam 388 as is. Had my fingers crossed it would be in working condition. Now that Ive finally got some tape to try it out I've noticed there is a problem with the transport.
Rewind and FF function properly but when I press Play... nothing. No movement at all.

I know there are diagrams on how to disassemble/repair available but any advice as to what it is I'm looking for?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
...

The belt probably fell off in transport, is stretched and needs replacement.
:spank::eek:;)
 
Yeah. As Reel Person said.
Take the bottom panel off and take a look.
 
Thanks guys.... finally got the chance to pop her open this afternoon. Sure enough the belt was broken. Fortunately tascam is just a few miles down the freeway so hopefully ill be up and running by tomorrow afternoon.
Much appreciated!
 
hello,
i'm new here but have transport problems with my tascam too. belt's replaced, alle fuses work. it plays too slow, doesn't ff, rewinds so so.
here's what happens when no tape is on it: LR :spins always ccwise (indepent of play, ff or rew)- RR: cc-wise only for ff. no/bad rotation for play (so with tape on it it sometimes doesn't windon the "arrival-reel"),no rotation for rewind.
in one of the treads here i read that it's possible to adjust the speed on the printboard. i have the manual, found the reel servo pcb, think i found the adjusting-knobs but what now? how? or maybe there are things i can do before this step?
thanks for all the tips i already found, hope to get some more, Greet
 
You're using Ampex 456 or 457? In case you do try a different tape.
 
My friend,...

I don't want to come out of the box immediately questioning your details, but in normal circumstances (this may not be a normal case)...

The Left reel should spin CW in all modes,... a little less torque in Play and FF to provide back tension and a lot more torque in RW mode...

The Right reel should spin CCW in all modes,... a smaller amount of torque in Play and RW mode to provide (takeup and back) tension, (respectively), and a lot more torque in FF mode...

The fuses should be verified with a DVM (ohm meter) for continuity, and not just rely on how they look. I've seen fuses that looked okay and still tested bad.

When you lift the R. Tension roller, the capstan should spin CCW.

When you press Play, the pinch roller should actuate up to fully contact the capstan. If it does not do that, it could indicate either a mechanical or electrical failure in the solenoid section.

Further, you should at least pull the face plate off and verify the hub brakes are fully releasing,... and if not could also point to a solenoid problem. Be very careful when removing the rollers, as there are some very small washers there that could get lost.

In the course of thinking methodically about proper function, past ohming out the fuses, it might be a good idea to verify the supply voltages.

I would not start twirling dials on the Reel/Servo card (or any other card) until the basics have been absolutely verified.

(Note: I believe, from memory, that I found a misprint in the manual on the location/function of pots on the Reel/Servo card, where the FF and RW tension adjustments were mislabelled. This threw me for a loop last time I worked on a 388 [years ago], and caused a lot of rework time needlessly til I figured it out. I thought I penciled in corrections into my service manual, but I can't find evidence of doing so. Anyone else reading this should take note and verify my findings, lest figuring I'm just losing my marbles at this point)....

Often times, a pulling and reseating of the cards in the motherboard can solve a lot of problems with connections that have tarnished and become incactive. This should be done very carefully, so as not to bend any pins on the mother board.

If all other things check out, per the above, PERHAPS and NOT ABSOLUTELY, it could be related to a component failure, such as a drive transistor, HOWEVER, twiddling the dials internally will not help or fix this hypothetical issue. It's a real in-deep, component level, point-soldering job-type thing to repair.

Start with the most basic things and work up, being cautious and VERY careful along the way.

Good luck!
:spank::eek:;)
 
Last edited:
hello,
sorry it took me so long to reply, i have no internet at home.
i will try again with different tape (after finding a new spring)
i was indeed mistaken about the direction of the turning of the left reel when writting my question. writting in english is a first ordeal to me, and than adding the technical language and naming the parts right...
i did check the fuses with an ohm-meter. no problem there. what is meant by supplyvoltage? the current that arrives at the machine? should i not connect it directly to landline-current of the european continent? that's how it was used in the past though

i opened the frontplate carefully and discovered that the righthand spring that pulls back (hope that make sence) was no longer connected. i reconnected it but it also seems to be too much stretched out to work properly. if i help a bit by hand all functions work now: ff- rew and play but as soon as i let go it slows and sometimes comes to stop. this is probably due to the streching of the spring and so this needs to be replaced first. i've been looking for it in musicshops (in Belgium) but they do not have spare parts nor can order them for "such an old machine", as they told me.
i hope to find spring and hope this solves my problems.
thank you for your quick replys and help.
greet
 
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