Tascam 48-8????

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MartyMcFly

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What do people think of the Tascam 48-8 versus the 38-8? I have a chance to buy one locally and I had a hard time finding info on it. It does look very similar to the 38-8 but just a different color. Also does it come with built in Noise reduction? And what should I offer?
 
The 48 [and 58] are better built versions of the 38 [more heavy duty designs] with greater emphasis on electronics. [Also, no capstan belt here - direct drive]. If you happened on one locally, if it's in good condition with good heads then by all means grab it.

Take a look at the series here:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=230631&highlight=series

The TASCAM 48 and 58 should sell for well over what the 38's go, on the used market but often they don't.

If I had a choice between same excellent condition 38 or 48 / 58, I'd grab the latter even if I had to pay 2x what the going rate for the 38 is.

Condition is KEY here so you really have to know what to look for and test. My personal limit would be about $1000 for a low use 48 / 58 with all functions working 100%. Local pickup is a big selling point and so is accessories like manual etc....

If you find the 48 to be in truly excellent condition and all tests fine, offer the seller $400 and see what he says.

As far as I know the 48 didn't come with built in noise reduction but you don't need it as they're pretty quiet.
 
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Yeah buddy... grab it IF it's in good condition! No onboard NR, but a fine machine.

Try to find out as much as you can about that particular machine's history and check it over carefully for function and wear.

Of course a 38 in excellent condition is preferable to a worn out 48, so chose carefully. With a local purchase you have the advantage or going over everything before committing.

Best of luck

:)
 
Hey bras...
Is a tascam 48-8 OB the same as a 48-8? And will the remote from a Tascam 32 work on either the 48-8 or 48-8 OB?
 
The TASCAM 48-OB has BOTH RCA ins / outs and XLR ins / outs and the XLR's are balanced +4db level. Did TASCAM ever built the standard 48, just with the RCA's? Dunno. Whatever the case, both vers are the same 'xcept the addition of the XLR's, as noted above.

So how's that 48 deal coming along McFly? ;)
 
Its going...I found out its a OB. Or atleast thats what he says. Im just not sure its worth more than the 38? Are the electronics really that much better than the 38?
Should I be worried that a 48 might slip thru my hands? I do have a chance to get a mint 38? for 440.00 shipped. With supposedly 1 roll of unused good tape. I dont know I dont know???
 
MartyMcFly said:
Its going...I found out its a OB. Or atleast thats what he says. Im just not sure its worth more than the 38? Are the electronics really that much better than the 38?
Should I be worried that a 48 might slip thru my hands? I do have a chance to get a mint 38? for 440.00 shipped. With supposedly 1 roll of unused good tape. I dont know I dont know???
Click to expand...

Yes, an equal condition 48 OB is worth more than a 38. There's no two ways about it, the 48 is a professional version of the 38. Its overall built quality and electronics are better. Not to say that the 38 is bad mind you. That would be an unfair statement. Quality recordings can be made on either one but all I'm saying is that the 48 is better, given the choice of similar condition machines. Local pickup makes it a no brainer.

This is a warning for you to heed.... Do yourself a big favor and forget shipping. Go and thoroughly check the 48 and, if it passess for a clean, lower use, fully functional machine, make the guy an offer and stick with it.

If your 48 has RCA and XLR ins / outs at the back then it's an OB.
 
so what does the OB atabd for? Whuch one is technically bette???
 
Hey,
I dont remember getting an answer but does a Remote from a Tascam 32 work with the 48? It is the RC-71. It sure looks like it would.
And on a side note...Would you choose a decent 48 over s TSR-8?
 
MartyMcFly said:
so what does the OB atabd for? Whuch one is technically bette???
Click to expand...

Not sure what the O stands for but I think B is "Balanced" but again I'm not sure. It's just a designation, for example, there were 2 versions of the TASCAM 58, one was "TASCAM 58" and the other a "TASCAM 58-OB". The only difference is that the former had RCA's and the latter had RCA's and XLR's. Which is better? That's splitting hairs, imho, especially if you keep your RCA line levels short, just enough to connect to a mixer. The main benefit of balanced XLR's is better rejection of noise when lines get very long. Also, unless you have a +4db mixer, there is no reason to contemplate the XLR's on the 48. Both RCA and XLR's sound exactly the same otherwise and the inclusion of the RCA's makes it a lot more compatible with most of the TASCAM mixers outthere. At the same time, it's a good option to keep open for a possible pro designed mixer later on, +4db XLR's.
 
MartyMcFly said:
Hey,
I dont remember getting an answer but does a Remote from a Tascam 32 work with the 48? It is the RC-71. It sure looks like it would.
And on a side note...Would you choose a decent 48 over s TSR-8?
Click to expand...

If the remote is a 12 pin type then yes it would work with the 48 as well.

It comes down to condition, age, local pickup or not and what one prefers, at least in my case. If BOTH the 48 and TSR-8 were in the same great condition AND if the manufacture date were similar [and not about a decade appart] I'd get the 48. Nevertheless, local deals take priority.
 
cjacek
How do I tell the average date of Manufacture by the serial? Can it be done?
 
MartyMcFly said:
cjacek
How do I tell the average date of Manufacture by the serial? Can it be done?
Click to expand...

It can only be done IF there are 3 seperate digits on the right side, 2 of those indicating the year, something like: "871" [would indicate that it was made in the 1st quarter of 1987]. Some recorders / mixers don't have that date code and we could only go by general years of manufacture.

But, look, here's the deal, dates of manufacture are just but one indicator and by no way should you go by that alone. For example, some 1985 units are in a better kept and functional state than some abused units from 1995. Also, if it's not a local deal, my general recommendation, that I would give to a friend, would be to forget about it. You're possibly sitting on a good condition, local 48. What r u waiting for? Check the thing out already!:eek::D;)
 
I have checked it out (48)its only in moderate condition. the heads seem to be below aveage. And it has other problems. I offered the guy 375 and i havnt heard back yet. Im a little afraid too because the guy who has the 38 just bought it from someone else on ebay just 1 month ago. And he paid a high price and is trying to pass it along to me. He paid like 365.00 plus 50.00 shipping and hes trying to get 440 total. It does appear to be in good shape but you gotta wonder when he wants to get rid of it so quickly... But I did learn some stuff...
 
MartyMcFly said:
I have checked it out (48)its only in moderate condition. the heads seem to be below aveage. And it has other problems. I offered the guy 375 and i havnt heard back yet. Im a little afraid too because the guy who has the 38 just bought it from someone else on ebay just 1 month ago. And he paid a high price and is trying to pass it along to me. He paid like 365.00 plus 50.00 shipping and hes trying to get 440 total. It does appear to be in good shape but you gotta wonder when he wants to get rid of it so quickly... But I did learn some stuff...
Click to expand...

I'm glad you did your homework and that you're being careful. My main concern, even if the 38, or whatever else you might be looking at, is in great condition, is shipping and also not looking over a unit in person. I am of the firm opinion that one should never, ever buy without seeing the unit in person and use shipping only as a last, last, last resort and only if your seller can pack / ship properly [or take instructions well]. Ideally, local pickups are best.

It's good that you passed on that 48. Even 400 would be too much to pay IMHO. So don't feel bad if the seller doesn't respond. He's looking for a sucker.

Where about are you located?
 
MartyMcFly said:
I have checked it out (48)its only in moderate condition. the heads seem to be below aveage. And it has other problems. I offered the guy 375 and i havnt heard back yet. Im a little afraid too because the guy who has the 38 just bought it from someone else on ebay just 1 month ago. And he paid a high price and is trying to pass it along to me. He paid like 365.00 plus 50.00 shipping and hes trying to get 440 total. It does appear to be in good shape but you gotta wonder when he wants to get rid of it so quickly... But I did learn some stuff...
Click to expand...



I would be careful about these machines that have been passed around. On the other hand the seller may just have gotten himself in a financial bind, or is in over his head with the complexity of the machine. Don’t laugh… it’s much easier to own one than to use one effectively. He may also have bought a machine to fix a broken part in one he already had, but normally those types try to rip off the seller by claiming it was defective and asking for money back.

You just never know these days. As an eBay buyer and seller I’ve seen about everything. Just remember why we have locks on our doors and go from there. I only trust my mother… most days anyway.

:)
 
Yeah,
Im being careful. I dont want to rush anything. There are almost always 38 on ebay. But Im from Wisconsin. Up by Green bay. So the only thing Ive ever seen on ebay near me in the last 2 months is a TSR-8 for top dollar and when I asked about pickup they got sketchy...
This last set...the 48...I looked at and I dont know. Yeah its no ship but im afraid that the 48's will be harder to get parts easily abd its a little beat up overall...
My plan would be to have a excellent 48 fall in my lap like I almost did. But baring that i would probably want to get 2 Tascam 38-8's. Not to use both of them. One for parts and one to use. That way I'd have a whole machine for parts and I could almost assemble the best stuff from both. I'd be fine with that.
This last guy about the 38-8 on ebay seems kinda funny after I asked him for the serial. After I has asked that I looked in his feedback and I see he bought it 1 month earlier and the guy said the serial and gave his explainaition of the condition of the unit.
So i dont know
 
MartyMcFly said:
Yeah,
Im being careful. I dont want to rush anything. There are almost always 38 on ebay. But Im from Wisconsin. Up by Green bay. So the only thing Ive ever seen on ebay near me in the last 2 months is a TSR-8 for top dollar and when I asked about pickup they got sketchy...
This last set...the 48...I looked at and I dont know. Yeah its no ship but im afraid that the 48's will be harder to get parts easily abd its a little beat up overall...
My plan would be to have a excellent 48 fall in my lap like I almost did. But baring that i would probably want to get 2 Tascam 38-8's. Not to use both of them. One for parts and one to use. That way I'd have a whole machine for parts and I could almost assemble the best stuff from both. I'd be fine with that.
This last guy about the 38-8 on ebay seems kinda funny after I asked him for the serial. After I has asked that I looked in his feedback and I see he bought it 1 month earlier and the guy said the serial and gave his explainaition of the condition of the unit.
So i dont know
Click to expand...


Ok, you seem to be going about this a very good and reasonable way.

Yeah, one of the main benefits of going with, say, a 30 series of recorders is that they're plentiful and so are parts.

Have you looked here: http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/wi

I'd search craigslist in your area [and even surrounding states] everyday. Something's gonna come up.
 
cjacek beat me to it... I hooked up with a 38 locally (pittsburgh area) through craigslist, and I got a good deal on it. I placed a "wanted" ad on craigslist and got a reply fairly quickly. In the past two years, this was the second one that I came across in the are (first was in a local music shop), and I had not really been looking that hard.

My guess is that it will harder to find a 58 or 48, as they just don't seem to be as common. The 38s are not really that hard to find, and Green Bay is a large metropolitan area, I think you should be able to find something locally if you are patient.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe many parts of the 38/48/58 decks are interchangeable. I don't think it will be any harder to locate parts for a 48 than a 38.

What are your plans for the R2R deck? Are you running a commercial studio or is this just home recording? Do you plan to use it as front end for a DAW or an all analog set up?
 
I plan on using it basically for me by myself or with 1 other person. Just as a home studio. I also plan on using it as a front end on my digi-002. I want to record everything on the R2R and then shoot them into the digi for editing and bounce them back to the R2R for more overdubs. So either a 38 or 48 will do...
 
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