Tascam 488 - how to internally calibrate speed?

[Doug Butler]

I just had my 488 repaired after 5 years in the attic, for the sole purpose of mixing my old tapes into Sound Forge and then retiring it for good.

I picked up the unit with a new capstan motor installed, but now the tape speed is about 2-1/2 ips, and the pitch wheel won't bring it up far enough to the necessary 3-3/4 ips to play my tapes.

I know, I could send it back to be fixed, but I have vacation days coming next week and would like to get to work while I have the time off. I'm familiar with the inside of the unit (I've replaced a belt & repaired a couple of cold solder joints before). Does anyone know if there is a pot inside the unit that can adjust the speed? Or is it more complicated than that? It's about a decade out of warranty so I'm not worried about voiding anything.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

- Doug

 

[A Reel Person]

Make sure it's not the belt, again.

 

[twist]

The motor speed adjustment is accessible through a small hole on the back of the motor itself.

I would be curious why they didn't adjust the speed properly before they gave it back to you; and why doesnt the speed control work? Did they substitute a generic cassette motor that wont work correctly? Do they realize that normal speed is 3 3/4?

I'd at least call em up.

Twist