Tascam 488 Mk 1 | Open case | Remove Transport & Change Belt | Tear Down - Part 1

[@deezezet]

i would be 'screwed' without your video and explaining!! coming back here again after 3 years .. still need it very bad

[@drekka]

Hell, yeah! Thanks for such a clear and thorough tutorial! I tried opening mine up last year and saw all the connector cables and said NOPE... but, now I say YUP!

[@jonhost9732]

Adding my voice to the chorus of thanks. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and time. I had a belt turned to tar, and now, thanks to your video, I’ll be able to relive some of those horrible songs I wrote and recorded in the nineties. Cheers!

[@alanbland5198]

Thanks mate! Just picked up an old one that needs repairing and after watching this I think I've worked out why that capstan isn't turning... ordered a new belt. Cheers from a Scouser in Sydney! ;)

[@jonjohnstone9072]

This is brilliant, thanks so much for sharing your expertise. You're explained really well, with an engaging style. I've been able to fit a new capstan belt which has reunited me with songs I made 30 years ago, which is a priceless gift - so thank you!

[@Tetrakan]

Thanks Jon, great to hear you and your songs are reunited!

[@EuropaMan]

Wow. I've had my 488 since the mid 90's and the speed has slowed down over the years. I always wanted to find someone who knew how to work on this recorder and you are that guy. Excellent video but I would need to think long and hard about attempting this repair. I would rather turn the job over to a pro like yourself. Nice tutorial. Thanks so much.

[@Tetrakan]

Glad to help

[@boneholster7096]

Did this today. Belt had turned to tar after 10 years in storage. Great, in depth video of this repair. Thank you.

[@schance1666]

same here! tar is the word. 14 yrs in storage. i'd be tar, too. killer vid with the details, i was scared to do this before seeing it.

[@ogflorin8037]

thank u man! just got a used one for a 100 bucks but id had a lotta issues and i don’t know shit about fixing stuff but ur videos really helped me figuring out the problem and now im tryin to fix it, love from switzerland

[@stonetunnelrecords588]

Thanks so much for these tutorials! You are a dying breed!!😎

[@xystinc3209]

Hey, thanks for your terrific videos. I acquired a broken 488 mkI for free hoping to digitize some 8 tracks cassettes I made on a 688 (30 years ago!) When I first got it, none of the transport buttons worked. I heard the motors trying to engage, but then the entire unit would power down. So I watched your videos, successfully cleaned the capstan and flywheel, changed the belt. Now the capstan spins fine when powered up, all buttons ( RW, FF, Play) will engage and seem to work, but then stop after 15-30 seconds and the 488 shuts off. So it's not the belt and I'm not sure how to proceed. Any suggestions appreciated. One wrinkle is that the 488 is a European 220 volt version and I am in Seattle running it through a 110v- 220v step up/down transformer. I run another 220v cassette through this, so I don't think this is the problem. Any ideas? Thanks again for your great explanations.

[@CUTSUK]

Just recently picked up a MK2. It's all in working order but wondered if the auto-stop function can be worked around. I got the machine mainly for looping. I've seen the rubber band around the spindles fix but wondered if there's a simple way to stop its auto-stop function.

[@Tetrakan]

Not that I know of, sorry

[@WoobVision]

Thanks so much. I got my belt installed and the unit is working great. I only have 2 leftover screws (not the ones in the cassette holder on top). I really don't feel like taking it all apart again so I'll hold on to these in case something quits in the future. ;)

[@WoobVision]

Well crap. It was working fine and then all of a sudden when I hit the play button the play, pause and record lights all start flashing and I can do nothing more (except hit stop). Any ideas? Talk about frustrating. Thanks. in advance.

[@Tetrakan]

The transport LEDs flashing is something I'm familiar with on the 488 mk ii, it happens when the reel mechanism becomes jammed because one of the plastic gears has broken...I've never seen that problem in the beige mark one, but maybe they changed to that mechanism later in the mark one production cycle? Anyway, here's a link to my video about that issue kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYmnip5mnLuGfMU

[@WoobVision]

@@Tetrakan Fantastic. Thanks. Looks like I have another project. I'm assuming the mk1 and the mk2 use the same gear C? Thanks again for your videos. Couldn't do it without you.

[@Tetrakan]

@@WoobVision any mark one I've seen does NOT have gear C, the mechanism for raising and lowering the heads and pinch roller is different. But that's the only reference I have for the LEDs flashing, so I guess you've got some sort of jam with that mechanism in any case?

[@colter3000]

Thanks for the instruction. My 488 will rewind and fast forward but wont go into play or record. the heads come up and then retract. Could that be the belt?

[@Tetrakan]

Yes. Ffwd and rewind are driven by a separate motor so it's likely just the capstan belt needs to be replaced, then play will work as well.

[@Pennine_Lad]

Very useful thanks. Just bought one stated serviced off eBay but surprised how noisy the motor is when switched on (42 db on iPhone app 'dB meter'). This seems annoying if using for music creation should it be quieter? Thanks.

[@Tetrakan]

Yeah, that sounds about right. ideally they would be quieter :(

[@alebrenna441]

Hi Calum! I´m trying to plan my approach to debbuging a low volume playabck (+-record?) issue, and I was wondering: I need to access the machine and been able to keep it working as I play with those trimmers.... So, can I record and tape with the unit open? Do I just insert the tape into he mechanism, as seen in min 3:00 for ex? Thank once more for the help you give to all the community!! (You already gave me some instructions in the FB page for doing this)

[@Tetrakan]

Hi, yes, so long as you leave everything plugged in, you can just put the cassette directly onto the exposed transport. You can usually prop the unit open (I use a rolled up bit of cardboard. See arpund the 13 minute mark in this video to get an idea;- kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKnOoqxtqbmceNE

[@christopherdonnelly6154]

Thanks so much for the videos I used this to change my capstan burning the process even though I used needle nose pliers I broke off some very small wires from the yellow box ( not sure the correct name) it is very difficult to get this back inside cause there is also a tiny metal piece inside the yellow box... wonder if you have ever had to repair this and if you had any tips? Thanks all the best ..

[@ElginChris]

where are you getting the belts from? Is there a generic multi-purpose that is low cost? Thanks for the videos

[@christopherdonnelly6154]

The yellow piece might be called a jumper box? Anyway there is lots of different colors of these pieces, but the part you said to be careful and use needle nose pliers is what I’m referring to

[@Tanquered]

I have a problem! I can see all the tracks in the display but the monitor does not show anything. I know you have to switch the knob to cue, press the cue button and switch the cue knob all the way up. The thing is i see no activity on the monitor. My theory is that the cable responsible for the tape cue is not working. Do you know which one is?

[@Tetrakan]

Not off the top fo my heads, but the service manual and schematics are available on my blog for free download - tetrakansupermonobloc.home.blog/2019/04/26/tascam-488-mki-service-manual/ My method for digesting these documents is to load the schematics into graphics software like photoshop or procreate and trace over the signal path with on a new layer in colour, like a map application showing you a route on a map. Start with the controls for monitoring and trace your way back to the tape outputs, this will give you an idea of where to place an audio probe or test for damaged cables, dry solder or faulty components.

[@scottmoutardier9570]

Awesome videos! Just got mine out after some years, wanting to listen to old tapes. Press play and the tape starts but slowly winds down and then stops after about ten seconds. Will these repairs fix that or does it sound like something else?

[@schance1666]

Hey Tetrakan, thanks for all these great vids, I am super appreciative of you for doing them! i've got my Mk1 and Mk2 on the bench. I think the Mk1 is just the belt, but the Mk2 needs more help. Hitting Rwd or Fwd I hear the motor spinning away like crazy but the tape isn't winding. I've searched around for this issue but haven't found anything. Do you have any vids or advice on this problem?

[@Tetrakan]

It’s been a while since I had that 488 mk ii transport in bits….I think it’s closest cousin is the 464 transport, and that one definitely transfers energy from the reel motor to the reels via an idler tire, could be that rubber parts got hard and shiny, or soft and tarry?

[@harryalldenaronsson]

Is there a way to add a tape speed selector (like on the 424) to this model? I want to be able to choose between slow normal and double speed, but all 8-track machines are seemingly locked to 2x speed :(. Is it possible to modify the unit to add a selector switch or would that do damage to the motors or something else?

[@Tetrakan]

I'm pretty sure you could mod it for half speed, ive shown the working for this on several models on my patreon, but it won't go more than a third slower than that, the 1/4 speed with the 424 mk 1 seems to be particular to that motor.

[@Arizonite]

Question? Do you really need to take out all the connectors to do a belt change? Seems like it could be done without the total disassembly. Great video!

[@Tetrakan]

Thanks. I suppose not, but if you didn’t disconnect the cables you’d have to rest the cassette player on the circuit boards during the change over, and knowing my luck, I’d break something. If you feel luckier than me, give it a go.

[@popzues]

Hi Tetrakan. I just picked up a used 'non functional' 488. Opened it up after seeing your video and it is missing its belt. So I've now got one of those on order. However I also noticed that the previous owner removed (and did not replace) the two screws in the top of the tape transport. Looking at the 488 service manual they are listed as 'Screw, bind M2.6x8(NI)' - will any M 2.6mm by 8mm screw work for those of should I be looking for something very specific? Cheers!

[@Tetrakan]

I think so, but i dont actually know. I'd be grateful if you'd order that screw size and find out then report back? I'm blessed to have a massive cupboard full of spares donors, but it would be very helpful to know whether I should buy in a pack of those screws, and whether I could confidently recommend buying them to other folks in the same boat.

[@pieta9097]

Hi! i just put in a new capstan and it's playing the tapes back at almost twice the speed now. Is there any resistor that i forgot to add? Or is there a potentiometer somewhere inside that's messed up? hope you'll read this. Great teardown video! Helped me a lot

[@Tetrakan]

hi just replied to your other comment on the Yamaha MT120, I'm not totally sure, I've read some 4 pin motors can be adapted with a resitor, but really Ibneed to know the model of motor you've replaced the original with?

[@pieta9097]

​@@Tetrakan originally i tried a mabuchi EG 530AD 2B motor (12V and 2400rpm), it has two solder points for all the four cables. i then tried a QingFeng EG-530KD-2B (12V 1600/3200 U/min) which has four pads like the original motor that ships with the tascam. Both run too fast, but i recently got a good deal on an original motor and will hope that that fixes my issue. But just out of curiousity, why does the qingfeng motor run too fast when it has the same specs as the original one?

[@Tetrakan]

@@pieta9097 I'm pretty sure the only way to use 2 pin motors is to only connect the 12v and ground cables and leave the A and B control cables disconnected. You would then have to caluibrate the speed of the motor using the trimpot on the motor's internal PCB, and the pitch control built into the Tascam would become redundant. I also suspect the 24000 rpm 2 pin motor would be unstable at 3&3/4 ips becasue its internal control chip isn't designed to handle that speed. . I suspect the QingFeng doesn't actually use the same parts as the Mabuchi, but you could add ressitors in series with the A or B input to drop the speed. i am guessing though.

[@pieta9097]

@@Tetrakan assuming i install the original motor and it for some reason still runs too fast, what could i do there? where exactly is the trimpot that you mentioned?

[@Tetrakan]

@@pieta9097 some motors, including most of the two input designs I’ve seen, have a little potentiometer built into the pcb where the wires are attached, you access it by prying off the cap at the end of the motor. Other designs expect you to adjust potentiometer attached to the A B wires, it’s how the 488 works, there is a trimpot on the PCB inside the portastudio. In either case turning the trimpot anti-clockwise increases resistance which lowers speed. If the lowest speed isn’t low enough, adding more resistance in series should slow the motor more. So disconnect wire A, solder in a resistor between the wire and the motor. Bear in mid you’ll need to experiment to get a good value, and I haven’t tested any of this, it’s an educated guess.

[@paudical]

Hey, I really appreciate these tutorials. Before I dive in though: my Play function has stopped. But Rewind and FF are still working. Does this mean it is not a belt problem? Thanks.

[@Tetrakan]

The 488 mk 1 has a three motor system - one controls raising head and pinch roller; one turns the supply and take-up reels, so it's completely responsible for ffwd & rwnd; third motor turns the flywheel with the capstan in the far side.... What you describe is consistent with the capstan belt having snapped or got too loose but the other two systems are okay, but only way to know for sure is open her up, good luck!

[@paudical]

Thanks again.

[@paudical]

​@@Tetrakan I finally opened her up, the belt WAS loose. It kept slipping off so I put on a new one which was nice & tight. Unfortunately though the problem persists. Play not working, while RW/FF is working. I opened it up again to double check that the belt is still on. Then I noticed that the plastic "corkscrew" motor part is not turning properly (when I push it with my finger). It budges slightly but does not make a rotation. I see at 5.55 in your video that it moves more freely when you push it. Have you encountered this before? How can I get it moving again or potentially replace it? Any advice much appreciated!

[@Tetrakan]

Is the capstan turning with no cassette inserted?

[@paudical]

@@Tetrakan When no tape is inserted and I hit play nothing happens (heads don't move up). When a tape is inserted the head assembly and pinch roller actually lift up for a second but then drop back down again.

[@jordanmichaelfrancis5850]

You rule! Used this video to change my 488's belt and now the motors moving again! However, it makes an awful grinding noise when powered on. Pretty sure the capstan needs some lubrication. Does that sound right to you? If so, what should I use?

[@Tetrakan]

Sometimes the capstan motor can benefit from a tiny spot of oil beneath the pulley, but "grinding" and the fact its happening on startup makes me think something is slipping in the gears which raise and lower the magnetic heads...if you make an unlisted video and share the link here or message me via my facebook page maybe I can give you a better idea of whats happening.

[@prittsehmi3428]

How do yo get to Gear C on 488 mk 1? Mk 1 is a different setup to mk 2. You have the video for mk 2

[@Tetrakan]

Mk1 does not have a gear C... Here are my mk 1 videos.

[@prittsehmi3428]

With no C gear in the 488 how do I repair the tascam and which motor would I work on?

[@prittsehmi3428]

It has rewind/fast forward but no play. The mechanism seems to want to engage but cuts out.

[@Tetrakan]

It sounds like it might be as simple as the capstan belt needs to be replaced…does the capstan pin rotate with the power on? If not change the belt, refer to this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/baPZdZyIgduDjtk

[@prittsehmi3428]

@@Tetrakan Hi Ihave teplaced the belt the big wheel spins when turned by hand. Still wondering why plsy will not work. Any suggestions eould be helpful.

[@christopherdonnelly6154]

Or just wondering if there is anywhere to order specific parts for these old machines or if you can find these pieces just at a electronics shop ? Ps you’re the best

[@alanbland5198]

Another thing that is wrong wits h it is that the heads engage, but don't disengage all the way... Any thoughts? Is it that the gears are worn? Maybe just something loose around there as engages OK...

[@calumdavidson2548]

Finding it a little difficult to visualise this, could you shoot a video clip? Paste the youtube link here, or message me via facebook if you'd rather not publicly upload.

[@newseneus]

I need the monitor section master potentiometer for a tascam 246 alps 617p 10k ax2. Any clue where I can get one?

[@Tetrakan]

I've been fortunate enough to always have spares - I learned to do this when I used to sell a lot of these for a small profit on ebay etc - I would tend to buy three broken units, keep one, sell one, hold the worst back as a parts donor for future flips. If you do find a replacement please share a link here and thanks for watching.

[@garkeinem]

I Bought one of these used from ebay. But until now I got nuttin but problems with. I wonder if its worth keeping it. Not necessarily looking for a endless money pit. I dont want even imagine when the motor is done. I guess you can give it to the trash then. Nice DIY channel anyway!!!

[@KPsTboy]

What is the belt diameter?

[@perseus086]

Somebody knows the dimension of the belt?

[@Tetrakan]

Approximayely 100mm folded length , 3 or 4 mm width. Flatbelt 3.4 from gbaudio.co.uk works if you're close enough to Scotland to order from there, I buy my belts from there.

[@perseus086]

@@Tetrakan Awesome. Thank you very much for the answer it helps me a lot

[@theprogrammerrolandmc3039]

Laughing at the people on ebay trying to sell these for £250 spares or repair to £500 fully working. Dream on Reel to Reel blow away cassette tape and way better sound quality really easy to fix plenty parts 1/4'' inch tape faster IPS. But you will say it hasn't got 8 channels well buy a digital multi track or daw and transfer your master to reel to reel for tape compression. You really want 8 channels of hiss on your master.