There is a Tascam 58 for sale online for $799 OBO that would require shipping.
Yeah I saw that one. That’s a good price for a 58 in the current market...which is way inflated compared to a number of years ago. That would be a good price even if it didn’t include the CS-607 rack and the Rocktron noise reduction...and reel of RMGI tape.
I'm a little new to the game, but suffice it to say I have two broken Tascam 38's that I'm trying to get operational, and I've been trolling all the sites for about a year or so in this regard. I have asked for help many times on this forum. So what I'm saying is: I never see Tascam 58's for sale, I know that they are the top of the line for this line (of Tascam 1/2 8-tracks!), I also think (correct me if I'm wrong) that some of the 38 parts are compatible with the 58? i.e. tape heads, reel motors?...
The “top of the line” for Tascam 1/2” 3-head 8-track machines I consider to be the ATR60-8, though it’s not really a tabletop machine. The 38 and 58 share very little as far as parts. The reel adapters, reel tables and the heads themselves are identical (same as 38, 48, ATR60-8, TSR-8), but the headblock assembly is not compatible at all...reel motors are different. They look the same but they are not compatible. The servo system, though it operates on similar principles is completely different as are the R/P amps...tape path is different, etc.
Since I have no idea if the machine works properly, how likely is it that i will find parts for this machine, and is it worth the attempt?
Just accept 58 parts are rare. Expect if you have one you will be on the hunt for a parts machine which may cost more than $799.
Keep in mind I have a mental illness when it comes to RTR tape machines. The only reason I chose the 38, is because there seems to be quite a lot of spare parts out there. Is there any good chance that I could fix this thing?(the 58)...or is it to rare and obscure at this point to bother?
The 38 is FAR more common. If you are concerned about getting it running and keeping it running, and you’ve been struggling with the 38s, the 58 is probably not a good direction to go in. I will say the seller of the 58 states what amounts to me to describe a fully functional machine, but there were no actual audio-based record or playback tests...the machine reportedly works in record and play modes, and the VU meters respond in play, but you have no idea what’s actually coming off the output jacks, or if anything makes to to tape from the input jacks; definitely not comprehensively tested and the seller is clear about that, and that’s why it’s cheap. So I usually just assume if the deal looks too good there’s a reason. Maybe the seller knows something isn’t right, but it’s over her/his head and to clear her/his conscience it’s being sold for cheap, buyer beware. So that’s why I’m saying assume it needs some work. We also have NO detail as to head condition, so there’s that too. Maybe you can transplant heads from your 38s, but then you still will need to have them setup and maybe relapped before the perform right in the 58 tape path.
My goal is just to have a smooth running machine that works for a long time, but boy oh boy would i love to have that 58. Conversely, I know that "shipping" can literally destroy these machines
And there’s the big rub. I would not have that machine shipped unless the seller could assure me it would be double-boxed and properly dampened, preferably with that expanding foam material. I would rather drive hundreds of miles than worry on top of spending $300+ to ship (which is about what it would be if packed correctly).
Also note this is the unbalanced only 58, not the 58-OB with balanced and unbalanced I/O. Not sure if that matters to you or not but just wanted to make sure you caught that. Also, the addition of the Rocktron noise reduction is nice, but you’re not likely to find anybody else using it if you need to collaborate...it’s a proprietary noise reduction, so that’s done if it’s only you using it, and if you do you will want to hunt for a backup unit for when that one goes belly up, otherwise all your projects tracked using the Rocktron will be nigh unplayable.