Tascam 388 vs Tape thickness

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technoplayer

Recovering Gear-aholic
I've seen several references in various posts regarding the "proper" tape thickness to use with a 388. Other than the 388 "expecting" an 1800' reel of tape for the load function to work properly (tape wont run off the end), what difference does it make what thickness is used. The tape weight itself is insignificant, and I cant see how the it stresses the transport to have to move somthing like Quantegy 456 vs a thinner tape.

What the real scoop here?? Will it damage a 388 to run thicker tape? Why?
What about thinner tape??
 
yes i spoke to Tascam about a year ago --he insisted on Quantegy 457 only---
he said it put strain on the motor to go with a thicker tape
 
Besides the weight, the design of the rec/play head requires the thinner 1-mil (less rigid) tape for optimum tape contact. The physical detail of the heads, including gap width determines tape requirements in the planning phase of a system, so it’s not even adjustable. Of course we’re talking best practices here. You can use 456/406 – people have and do, but it’s not going to bring out the best the 388 can be. Frequency response, wow & flutter, and speed deviation will be worse than with thinner tape.

The early Tascam product literature listed Maxell 35-90 and Ampex 407. When the 388 was new, Maxell 35-90B was most popular around these parts, though 407 and 457 are better tapes in my experience in general.

It was intended to be compatible with high-grade 1-mil HiFi tapes that were readily available in stores at the time. The only practical choice these days is Quantegy (formerly Ampex) 407 or 457. Everything else is out of production and 35-90B seems to have a collector status on eBay, even though 407 out specs it.

-Tim
 
Beck said:
Besides the weight, the design of the rec/play head requires the thinner 1-mil (less rigid) tape for optimum tape contact. The physical detail of the heads, including gap width determines tape requirements in the planning phase of a system, so it’s not even adjustable. Of course we’re talking best practices here. You can use 456/406 – people have and do, but it’s not going to bring out the best the 388 can be. Frequency response, wow & flutter, and speed deviation will be worse than with thinner tape.

The early Tascam product literature listed Maxell 35-90 and Ampex 407. When the 388 was new, Maxell 35-90B was most popular around these parts, though 407 and 457 are better tapes in my experience in general.

It was intended to be compatible with high-grade 1-mil HiFi tapes that were readily available in stores at the time. The only practical choice these days is Quantegy (formerly Ampex) 407 or 457. Everything else is out of production and 35-90B seems to have a collector status on eBay, even though 407 out specs it.

-Tim
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Good info Tim! Didn't know that early 388 literature actually stated 35-90(B) etc ... I have a good stock of 407 - 2 I got from you + 7 sealed I bought for $20 USD + 15 USD shipping + 15 UPS "broker's fees" = quite a nice deal! :D I also have a box of 10 of the 35-90 sealed so I'm set for life! :)

~Daniel
 
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