TASCAM doesn't refurbish ...

[cjacek]

Hi,

Out of curiosity I called TASCAM and asked them if I would bring in an older unit, would they refurbish it ? They said they don't refurbish but they could bring it up to "specs". Now, this flies against what I read on the TASCAM board, before it went out of commission. I clearly remember some posters, a matter of factly, stating that TASCAM would be more than happy to refurbish your old gear and that TASCAM DOES refurbish gear. Now, perhaps those people used the wrong term (refurbish) but I don't know .. Can someone shed some light re this matter ? Also, what is the difference between (1) restoring (2) refurbishing and (3) bringing up to specs ?

Daniel

 

[Derek Verner]

The differences are purely semantic. All of them will give you a perfectly good. operating machine. Refurbish and restore tend to include cosmetic repairs as well.

 

[cjacek]

The differences are purely semantic. All of them will give you a perfectly good. operating machine. Refurbish and restore tend to include cosmetic repairs as well.

Yeah but try telling that to the person at TASCAM. The lady there, when I called, told me point blank not to use the term "refurbish". Gees ...

~Daniel

 

[The Ghost of FM]

TASCAM might shy away from that word because it has a lower class of product, stigma to it. They would view refurbished goods as ones that were not made correctly in the first place or damaged in shipping by their cartage carrier.

Ask them to repair or restore a unit to factory spec and you won't get their back up.

Cheers!

 

[cjacek]

TASCAM might shy away from that word because it has a lower class of product, stigma to it. They would view refurbished goods as ones that were not made correctly in the first place or damaged in shipping by their cartage carrier.

Ask them to repair or restore a unit to factory spec and you won't get their back up.

Cheers!

Ok, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks FM!

Daniel

 

[cjacek]

TASCAM might shy away from that word because it has a lower class of product, stigma to it. They would view refurbished goods as ones that were not made correctly in the first place or damaged in shipping by their cartage carrier.

Ask them to repair or restore a unit to factory spec and you won't get their back up.

Cheers!

Ok, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks FM! . Btw, what does it mean to have the heads "relapped" ?

Daniel

 

[jake-owa]

Relapping is a process in which some material is removed by grinding and polishing to reshape the headstack to it's original dimensions. The advantage is a better more defined magnetic image printed to tape.

 

[cjacek]

Relapping is a process in which some material is removed by grinding and polishing to reshape the headstack to it's original dimensions. The advantage is a better more defined magnetic image printed to tape.

Thanks! So, in most instances all you need is a relapping and not neccesarily to buy a new head .. ? Can a head be completely worn out by tape so that even relapping won't work ? I guess I don't understand the process and thus the questions ....

Daniel

 

[cjacek]

Hmmm ...

Ok, so when I ask TASCAM to "restore a unit to factory spec", does that also mean that all scratches, chips, tears and other cosmetic issues are also taken care of ? Does it also mean that the technician uses the appropriate tools to check so that all electrical components are in tip top shape and that the heads record/playback and that all is up to original working condition ? Also, does the technician bother with opening up the unit to clean, lubricate etc ..... I guess what I'm asking is what does the term "restore a unit to factory spec" entail ? In my mind it means to bring it back as new in the box but I'm sure that's not the case. Please explain.

Daniel

 

[Derek Verner]

The unit will operate properly but it will not look much better than when you sent it in. If they have to have the heads relapped, be prepared to pay more than you can probably buy another machine from Ebay. (Unless it is real pro studio gear)