What's a MS16 really worth?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ron-e-g
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ron-e-g

ron-e-g

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I have a Tascam MS-16. I have seen several on ebay priced anywhere from $900 to $3000. But not selling! I have been offered one in (VERY) good condition for $1000.
It would include the DBX units and meter panel with manual. Good Deal?
 
So you have one M-16...and you want to buy another one...?

A $1000 is not crazy, but then again, it might never sell for that price either.
It's all about how much it's worth to you. :)
 
I sold mine a few years back for $1000 and it took me close to a year to finally find a buyer for it. And mine came with all the add on features and freshly re-lapped heads.

The bigger the machine, the harder it is to find a buyer because most musicians are perpetually broke, in my experience.

Cheers! :)
 
why do you want a second one ? :) if the recorder is in very good shape is worth that. Those heads are discontinued now, so it's all about the heads. You can probably go up to 2" 24 tracks for ~3K. And a 2" machine is better than two 1"1 tascams. Assuming is an Otari or MCI. Tape cost is higher as well of course.
 
miroslav said:
So you have one M-16...and you want to buy another one...?
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miroslav, Yea that's been going through my head too! It's just that mine is factory modified to run at 30ips, it's heads, and electronics are in doubt. I was thinking..get a practically new one and keep my cart, AQ-65 remote and CS-64 Rolling Stand. Then sell the Recorder...ah well try. These things are the size of a dishwasher and weigh as mush as a refrigerator.:D

...what ever was I thinking... to go back to analog!?


Ghost, Yea I agree. Me included, I probably would be better off trying to find a good deal on a 2'' 24 trk. close enough for me to pick-up. Not that I need a 24 trk right now but I never know. And I've seen some in the $1000 price range..Otari and such. But then again $=2" tape.
 
fgonza, Well I figured since I can't find any paint to match my old recorder I'll have to buy a new one!:facepalm:

But seriously,It's not often you run across a un-used MS-16!
 
A well maintained MS-16 sounds wonderful. Fergit all the naysayers that will discourage you. These machines were built to last a heck of a long time and faithfully reproduce what went on the tape. They were not made to "slam" the tape, peak the meters or attempt tape distortion which seems to be the in thing nowadays. They were made to record music and reproduce music- not noise. The machines are worth a heck of a lot more that what people think. I have no idea what it may take to produce one today. $50 to 75K likely. But many of the needed skills are lost.
 
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ron-e-g said:
Due to digital no doubt! Oh..and cash-ola although A person can invest heavily in that format as well.
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Doubt it is just digital. Me thinks it's mainly a society of lazy azz people that have no interest in learning skilled trades or performing highly technical work with their hands and brains at the same time and a government that views any manufacturing company as a polluting, hazardous and unwanted foe. Japan can't do it anymore either apparently. Evidently, they have become fat and lazy too.

As an aside but somewhat related note, I just bought a new set of Gretsch drums. When I got them home, I was astounded at the craftsmanship shown in the woodworking (I am a cabinetmaker), quality of the plating and overall fit and finish contrasted with the price paid. I knew something odd was up. I really thought they were made in Alabama or wherever Gretsch may be located now. I examined the boxes very carefully and then noted "made in China". Twenty years ago I would have taken them back. Ten years ago I would have been very very worried that America was in a trouble and thinking we were about to get our clocks cleaned and . . . . then taken them back. Today, I no longer care.
 
pianodano said:
Twenty years ago I would have taken them back. Ten years ago I would have been very very worried that America was in a trouble and thinking we were about to get our clocks cleaned and . . . . then taken them back. Today, I no longer care.
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In a nutshell! Well that explains your rant (kidding) I too, (was) a Cabinet maker 20 years. And funny enough..I can't agree more, with all you said!

But truth, has nothing to do with occupation..I guess.
 
ron-e-g said:
fgonza, Well I figured since I can't find any paint to match my old recorder I'll have to buy a new one!:facepalm:

But seriously,It's not often you run across a un-used MS-16!
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Is this the same one that's on eBay with a $3000 BIN price?
The one that the guys father bought, then never used, and it just sat in a box for like 20+ years?

You know....just sitting in a box for that long, unused...is not necessarily a good thing for the mechanical//moving parts stuff or for the electronics.
When I picked up my Otari MX-80, and was talking to a guy who still sells parts for them and who use to work for Otari in CA when they still had offices in the USA....he made of point of say to me not to let the machine sit around too long without being powered up....and it's not the firs time I've heard that kind of advice. A guy who designs/builds microphones said the same thing....plug in all the powered mics once in awhile and let the caps juice up.

So....you should really check that new deck over and run it a bit before making a decision.
 
That's it! all good points that I used as a bargaining chip. It's East coast... I'm West!
 
ron-e-g said:
fgonza, Well I figured since I can't find any paint to match my old recorder I'll have to buy a new one!:facepalm:

But seriously,It's not often you run across a un-used MS-16!
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paint code i know... i'll send it to you. Your MS16 is in pristine condition, by looking at the head pictures and the aesthetics. Don't get dissapointed by calibration. You can also modify it to run at 15 ips if that is your main issue. It will also be cheaper to send it to a well qualified technician to leave it in top notch condition, there are good ones in your area.
 
OK Thanks fgonza2. Guess I'll wait for the replacement cards before I do anything. Who are you referring to as "well qualified technician" ? I know of none in my area.
 
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