Tascam 488 problem

[whammo77]

I have a Tascam 488. It has worked flawlessly for years but took a turn to the dark side last week. Whenever you turn it on now, it makes a buzzing sound over below the cassette area. If you put a tape in and hit 'play', it starts out normal for a second, then starts slowing down until it finally stops, like an old boom box with near-dead batteries. It fast forwards just fine, and rewinds just fine.

I am in Oklahoma City, and there is not a service center anywhere nearby. The closest one is 2 hours away. I hate sendign my stuff off in the mail because inevitably, I am one of these lucky people who's stuff always gets lost in the mail!

Anyone have a clue what the prob might be and how to fix it?

 

[grimtraveller]

Make a day of it, take a good book and get the 488 to that service centre to be serviced. You won't regret it but you might if you try to do it yourself not knowing what you're doing.

 

[whammo77]

Make a day of it, take a good book and get the 488 to that service centre to be serviced. You won't regret it but you might if you try to do it yourself not knowing what you're doing.

If I had time for that, that would be awesome!