http://tinyurl.com/25hu66

I am posting this here cause it is for sale and partly cause I could use some way to put the machine through the testing to confirm that it does work as thoroughly as I think it does.

Also, you will notice it did not sell on eBay so any feedback there would also be welcome. And yes lowering the price would help but how much?

I'm assuming that if I could certify that it works fine would be great.

If someone did want to buy it locally, I would hold the money in escrow and gladly return it
if the machine does not work perfectly.

Kirk,

While Mr. Wallet prevents me from purchasing such a wonderful device ( even though it's analog I have always loved the look of a reel to reel unit ) I have some tapes from a while back I would love to play into my Mac so I could capture them to CD. If you don't sell it, perhaps there may be an opportunity where I could retain it to transfer the audio?

That is if it will play 1/4 inch tape.

Well, it is a 1/2 wide tape not the more common quarter inch. Are your tapes 1/2 inch wide?

I agree, there is something about the look of a big reel to reel in action.

Another possibility is to check with SMPTE members. The next meeting should be on the second Tuesday of the month unless there is a conflict or special presentation.

SMPTE ==> Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

I just looked up the local chapter and it turns out Chuck Reti is the chairman. Chuck if you are reading this and you know where I could sale this Tascam to someone who could use it let me know.

Thanks for the tip James.

quote:

Originally posted by Kirk Tirakian:
...Chuck if you are reading this and you know where I could sale this Tascam to someone who could use it let me know.

Hi Kirk-
Can't say I personally know anyone who might want a 1/2" 8-track reel-to-reel deck. I (or Jim) can mention it to the SMPTE group to see if there's any interest. There is also a Detroit Section of AES (Audio Engineering Society). Email link at bottom of page.
Might also try Craig's List. I'd think any interest might be from someone sitting on a collection of tapes of that format, or from recording or broadcast equipment collectors (lots of them around)..

Thanks for the reply Chuck! I will look into all you mentioned. I appreciate you or Jim contacting the SMPTE group.

FYI: Didn't see the next meeting posted for SMPTE when I went to the front page of the website.
Still has the May meeting.

Kirk,
In your initial post you mentioned that you'd like to verify that the Tascan is operating as it should. I've found that ABL Electronics is very reputable. they are the warranty service for many audio companies. They've done some warranty work for me and have provided specs on several pieceS of audio equipment I've sold. They had a pick-up station in Southfield but I no longer see it listed on their website or in the Yellow Pages.


http://www.ablserv.com/index.htm

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bill Wilson,

Bill,
I tried to do just that a couple years back and lugged the Tascam into my car and went over to the Southfield location. What I recall the guy who was there telling me was that he had no way of testing it to see if it worked properly. To be fair I have to say I also have the Tascam ES50/ES51 synchronizer/edit controller.

Okay I just called over there and they still charge $95 just to look at something. I know it would increase the desirability of the unit if I could say it was inspected professionally but is it worth it? I guess so.

So Bill did you advertise that you had stuff you were selling inspected before sale?

quote:

Originally posted by Kirk Tirakian:
Didn't see the next meeting posted for SMPTE when I went to the front page of the website.
Still has the May meeting.

Next meeting is scheduled for June 12, topic will be digital archiving of legacy video materials. The planned site has become unavailable; when a meeting site is firmed up the website will be updated, I hope by early next week.
You can subscribe to a notifications mail list
Via Web: Go to http://www.yahoogroups.com/subscribe.cgi/smpte_detroit
Via E-mail: Send a blank message to smpte_detroit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This is a free service. No charge, no obligation, no spam, unsubscribe yourself at any time. Addresses will never be used by us for any other purpose.

Thanks Chuck.

Would it be okay to subscribe to post a for sale email there? I wouldn't want to be rude.

"So Bill did you advertise that you had stuff you were selling inspected before sale?"

I sold the stuff privately, but, in addition to the asking price, realized more than the cost of the inspection. These were a pair of tube-type MacIntosh amps and a high level pre-amp, very desirable items.

quote:

Originally posted by Kirk Tirakian:
Would it be okay to subscribe to post a for sale email there? I wouldn't want to be rude.

The Yahoo!Groups list is for interested non-members to get information on Detroit Section activities. Members are on a separate list from SMPTE HQ (though many also subscribe to this one as a backup). Only the moderators have posting privileges, sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by Kirk Tirakian:
http://tinyurl.com/25hu66

Also, you will notice it did not sell on eBay so any feedback there would also be welcome. And yes lowering the price would help but how much?

First about your eBay auction. The BIGGEST problem I see is that you basically say:

"They were cleaning house one day and this unit was going to the dumpster.
Yes, it was a "send it to the dumpster unless we are using it right now" clean up.

Okay item was going to the Trash but now you want me to buy it for $400 ($500 Buy It Now).

I am not a professional eBay-er but I do have a little experience. I have found that a GOOD STORY can sometimes increase the value and final bid of an item.

Instead of saying it is church garbage, something more like:

"served the church faithfully - but I hate to see this WORK HORSE put out to pasture so I am selling it to someone who can still use it"

Also is the church getting any of the selling price? Good auction point - all or part of the profits as a donation to the Church!!

Also since they were going to THROW IT AWAY anyway why start so high?

Do completed items search (found some for $300 and a buy it now for $595). One currently is active at $285 high bid and $100 shipping;

ebay Tascam

Some other things i noticed also is that the typos in the auction where the space is missing.

Also some close up pics of the defects would be nice (blemishes).

Try the free ebay relist at a lower starting price and tips above and if that doesn't work, I would just list it on Craigslist for free.

Good luck!

EDIT: Just to clarify Craigslist is FREE - ask for as much as you can for the unit. Maybe do a best offer type thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Art P.,

I appreciate you taking the time to go over this for me Art.

I thought telling the painful truth would be the best story but I see how it looks like Church Garbage when you point it out.

quote:

Also since they were going to THROW IT AWAY anyway why start so high?

It still works fine as far as I can tell but that may not be good enough. I have a contact who may be able to certify it is in perfect working order minus the scratches and blemishes.

As far as the words being merged together, I could have worked harder to get eBay's system to understand my html. I'll try that Garagesale software you recommended in the other ebay thread.

Anyway thanks for the suggestions. I will take them to heart before relisting.

As promised, I did mention it at the SMPTE meeting. No interest amongst the video pros, just a few mutters of "E-Bay" and "Craigslist."

Thanks for taking the time to ask, Chuck.
I'll find this thing a new home one way or another.

If I don't sell it maybe I can dress it up in baby's cloths and leave it in front of the orphanage. You know ring the doorbell and dash away.

I may have a buyer. This person contacted me via ebay message:

quote:

Hello, Kirk. I noticed your MacGroup post concerning the Tascam TSR-8 Recorder. I am very interested in purchasing this unit, but as a student (majoring in recording arts, with emphasis on analog systems!) I can only afford $250, plus the required $70 for shipping.

I know you were asking for more, but as you can see here at http://tinyurl.com/2drrdw, this June 12th auction sold the same unit for $285.50, so my offer is not totally unrealistic.

It might be tempting to re-list your auction and try to get more money for it, and you have to do what's right by you, but if you're looking for a loving home, I will treat this thing like my baby!

Let me know if you're interested. I can Paypal the money today! Thanks!

Any thoughts??

Kirk

$250 for something you were going to throw away sounds like a good deal to me.

If you are going to take up the $250.00 offer ( Which you should ) great.

If you are going to do the door step thing ---- my orphange is open.