[Details below] 🛒 I got hold of some 99.9% isopropyl alcohol and decided to give these tape heads a LONG OVERDUE clean, as well as the capstan shaft in the 688.Tracks 6, 7 & 8 were failing to record on the Tascam 688 and 'unclean tape heads' was the primary diagnosis. The WEM Copicat tape echo unit was not wiping the tape loops properly after each repeat and audio was getting layered permanently on the loop, instead of acting like a delay effect. This suggested a clogged-up eraser head.
I got carried away and ended up cleaning the whole machine because it was so relaxing and satisfying. There was years of dust and loose tobacco that needed to be therapeutically removed.
📣 According to the service manual:
⚠️ Any dirt or oxide build-up on the heads will force the tape away from the gaps that record and playback. This will drastically affect the response. Even so small a layer of dirt as one thousandth of an inch will result in degraded performance.
⚠️ Tape and tape oxide act very much the same way as fine sandpaper, and will slowly grind down the tape path. Uneven wear can produce notches on heads and guides that will cause the tape to skew and skip around. It can also chew up the tape.
📌 Being conscientious about cleaning the tape path on your 688 will more than double the life of the heads and tape guides
1. Open the cassette door.
2. Using a good head cleaning fluid and a cotton swab, clean the heads and tape guides until the swab comes off clean. Wipe off any excess cleaning fluid with a dry swab.
3. Press PLAY key to engage the pinch roller and capstan shaft.
4. Lightly press a cotton swab moistened with head cleaning fluid to the rotating capstan shaft.
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