RANT - TASCAM MP-BT1 fragile junk!

totallyfrozen · #1 09-11-2010, 12:16 PM

I'm disappointed and frustrated so I'm going to blow off some steam and see what the rest of you have to say about these trainers. I know some of you have them or have used them. So here's my story:

I bought a TASCAM MP-BT1 (I think from MF, IIRC). At the time, it was $199. So, I had my trainer for less than a year but longer than the warranty phase. The power switch broke and I couldn't turn the unit on. I sent it to TEAC America (that's TASCAM, BTW) for repair. I didn't hear anything back for a month or more. Called them. They LOST my trainer somewhere. After playing "let's haggle on the phone" for about a week, the service manager sends me a replacement...

but it's the GUITAR trainer!

So I call her back and she finally sends another BASS trainer (tells me keep the guitar trainer as a peace offering). Gee, thanks.

So now I'm on my 2nd MP-BT1 trainer, I've had it for roughly one year, and now the output volume rocker swtich broke. No rough handling! This thing just sits in my home office and gets used in one place in a corner where I have my guitar stool. Out of nowhere this switch breaks. Now I can't turn the volume DOWN (only up). Sending these in for repair outside of the warranty period ends up costing about $10 less than buying a new one!

I'm so PO'd about this! Read about them online and you see MANY people have had trouble with these fragile switches! At the price these things are going for, they should last a decade--at least 1/2 a decade! Getting ONE year out of a $200 item is just ridiculous!!

TEAC/TASCAM needs to step up the game, IMO! These units need to be redesigned and manufactured in a completely different way. I have NO DOUBT that these are made overseas using the cheapest Asian electronics (no offense intended toward Asians). In a nutshell, the plastic (ALL the plastic) used to make these is the cheapest, most fragile plastic.

Since mine's way outside any warranty period, I opened it up to see what's going on and to see if I could fix the switch somehow. Know what I found? I found that these are entirely made of a fragile, cheap plastic similar to the type used for model airplanes--the type you buy at the toy store and put together with Testor's model glue!!

Model airplane plastic?!

I have $30 calculators more durable than this!!

BTW--No, I didn't break my MP-BT1. I reassembled it and it still works but I was unable to fix the switch.

At the price these go for, they should be made of better matrerials!! What a rip!

UGH! I just wanna:
TASCAM --->

<--- ME

What other options are out there for an MP3 trainer with all the features that these have?

Has anyone else had problems with the quality of these units?

[/RANT]

gtaus · #2 09-12-2010, 01:39 AM

Enjoyed your rant. It timely for me because I am thinking about getting a Tascam Bass Trainer. Maybe you could help me with my post? Bass Cancellation Feature in Tascam MP-BT1 headphone amp Basically I wanted to know if the Tascam bass cancellation feature works as good as advertised or not. I posted the question but so far nobody has responded. Just trying to get some response before my post is buried by newer messages.

What I really like about your rant is that if I decided to get this bass trainer, I might seriously consider purchasing an extended warranty on the unit and just assume it will break within that period and need to be exchanged. I seldom buy an extended warranty, but if I end up getting this bass trainer, I might consider the extra warranty just as part of the initial purchase.

I'm all for units with lower prices, but when it comes to these digital mp3 devices, it appears they are almost all disposable. I have had no less than 3 dead mp3 players within the past couple of years because the built in (dead) battery costs too much to replace, or something else broke on the player shortly after the warranty expired. It makes no sense to fix any of these devices - it's just less expensive to buy a new, and better one.

But I agree that for cash hard musicians, a $200 piece of gear should be built to last longer than 1 year.

BTW, I hear that the MP-BT1 has an internal battery that costs a fortune to replace if it goes bad. Did either of your units have bad batteries? How long is the battery life? Can you replace the battery yourself or is it a service item?

Well, I hope you will take a look at my post and give me an honest assessment of the bass cancellation feature of the MP-BT1. I know you are in a bad mood right now, so that might work in my favor. I am sure you would not sugar coat your opinion on that subject.

tycobb73 · #3 09-12-2010, 07:15 AM

Had mine for 2 or 3 years, no issues.

Slowgypsy · #4 09-12-2010, 06:03 PM

I've had/used my Tascam CD bass trainer for several years now without issue. And the past 2 years or so have used their MP3 bass trainer on a daily basis.... also without issue. Actually I think they make great stuff. Just my $.02

Lowtonejoe · #5 09-12-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

I've had/used my Tascam CD bass trainer for several years now without issue. And the past 2 years or so have used their MP3 bass trainer on a daily basis.... also without issue. Actually I think they make great stuff. Just my $.02

Yup, same here.

Sorry you're having so much trouble.

If this one ever breaks I wouldn't hesitate to buy another!

Joe.

totallyfrozen · #6 09-12-2010, 08:46 PM

I find them extremely useful and just PACKED with features. I am; however, disappointed in how fragile the buttons and switches on the sides of them are. Could be their not making them the same as they used to. They've come down in price so when this one finally takes a dirt nap, I'll get another one unless something better comes on the market for a competitive price.

Is there anything else out there like this?

C.Linton · #7 09-12-2010, 08:58 PM

HHmmm ... I have the BT-2, and the GT-2, both of them the CD versions. I have noticed no problems with either unit yet, except for sometimes the BT-2 does not retain its settings at shutoff like its supposed to. Annoying, but no big deal to me. The only thing I wish it did have, because of my poor eyesight would be a backlit display.
Does anyone know the difference between the BT-2 and BT-1?
BTW, both units cost about $140-$150 new.

totallyfrozen · #8 09-12-2010, 09:08 PM

I don't know much about the BT-2. Other than size (the MP-BT1 is smaller), I guess one of the real differences is that the BT1 does have a backlit display. In fact, you can adjust the timer on the backlight to either keep it lit longer or shut off within a few seconds to preserve battery life. I use mine @ 5 seconds but that's because I already have a light in my practice area so I can see the screen just fine without the back light.

gtaus · #9 09-13-2010, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

...Is there anything else out there like this?

I am looking at the Tascam GT-R1 Guitar/Bass trainer http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-GTR1-Po...4348679&sr=1-1 which sells for $179 on Amazon.com. It looks like it has all the features of the MP-BT1 but also works with regular guitar. The GT-R1 also is a portable recorder, accepts SD cards up to 8 GB, you can overdub your bass playing with a backing track, it has multi effects for both bass and guitar, and it comes with a soft case. Just discovered the GT-R1 on Amazon while looking up the MP-BT1.

I don't know much about either unit yet, but for $20 more, I'm thinking the GT-R1 is a viable option. Although I'm playing bass in my current band, I'm also a guitar player of 30+ years. So when I found the info on the GT-R1, I'm looking more into that option.

totallyfrozen · #10 09-13-2010, 01:01 AM

One option that is nice on the MP-BT1 is the ability to remove the bass from the song you are playing along with. I have the guitar trainer also but haven't used it yet so I don't know if they found a way to include that feature (removing guitar track) in that one too.

I wonder if the GT-R1 allows you to remove the bass track from the songs.

C.Linton · #11 09-13-2010, 01:02 AM

A couple of things I noticed on Musician's friend. First, the BT-1's seem to be solely mp3 units, while the BT-2's are CD units. They did at one time have a BT-2 MP3 unit, I guess they've discontinued that. Well, I also notice the BT-1 seems to run on a rechargable battery only. The CD BT-2 runs on (regular) batteries or a seperately available DC adapter. I'm guessing the CD unit has higher power demands than the MP3. Oh, and the CD BT-2 is about $40 bucks cheaper than the BT-1.

C.Linton · #12 09-13-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

One option that is nice on the MP-BT1 is the ability to remove the bass from the song you are playing along with. I have the guitar trainer also but haven't used it yet so I don't know if they found a way to include that feature (removing guitar track) in that one too.

I wonder if the GT-R1 allows you to remove the bass track from the songs.

If you can't find out here, you can always download the manual from Tascam's website. That's what I did when I was deciding whether or not I wanted to get the CD BT-2 (and the CD GT-2, as well.)
Just one other thing. I've only used the cancellation feature on the GT-2, it basically de-emphasizes the guitar to the point of almost disappearing (but not quite). The manual has a few disclaimers stating that the effect might not work as well on some recordings as it does on others, it all depends on how the guitar track was recorded. The one time I tried it, you could stiil hear the guitar, but just barely, mostly it sounded like a very faint reverb track. There is nothing on the GT-2 about bass cancelling.
On the BT-2, it's called the "Bass Enhacement Effect" or BEE for short, it has 3 settings - BOOST - increases the bass sound, ENHANCE - enhances the bass sound, CUT - Reduces the bass sound. I can't speak as to how well these work, or whether they are the same on the BT-1 or GT-1.

Rocky · #13 09-13-2010, 01:23 AM

I thought it was cool they gave you the guitar trainer for free.

totallyfrozen · #14 09-13-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

I thought it was cool they gave you the guitar trainer for free.

They gave it to me by mistake. I told them that I was feeling tempted to let everyone on TalkBass know about their poor customer service (loosing my unit, not notifying me, and giving me grief rather than a replacment)--THEN they told me to keep the guitar trainer and they would send out the bass trainer immediately (which they did).

TalkBass is a very well known website and vendors know that this place has a HUGE community of musicians.

Also, I think they didn't want to deal with the return shipping of the guitar trainer.

Try to understand, at the time this was going on, I'd been without my trainer for nearly 2 months! TEAC America's policy states plainly that any items sent in for service that are not claimed within a certain time frame (I think 45 days) are forfeited to TEAC to be sold as "refurbished". When they didn't contact me after a month, I started to sweat it. Then it took almost another month of phone calls and waiting for them to do the "figure it out and get back to me" stuff. I told the manager flat out that I was worried that with all the people getting involved in this issue I would slip through the cracks and be out $200 (cuz things were starting to look that way--I was getting passed around alot on the phone from dept. to dept.). More "let me call you back" business. Finally, more than 2 months after I'd sent it in for service, they sent me the guitar trainer and called it a day.

All of that aside, yeah...it's pretty cool that I got to keep it.

I'm looking forward to using it with my Strat. For the time being, my Strat is sleeping in it's case whlie I focus my attention on the bass. The guitar trainer is still New In Box. I've never even opened it yet--and it's already past the warranty period. Hope it works when I need it.

shackled · #15 09-13-2010, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

They gave it to me by mistake. I told them that I was feeling tempted to let everyone on TalkBass know about their poor customer service...

Do you feel better now that you did? Passive aggressive bs.
I have one of their recorders, and it's a nice little unit.

totallyfrozen · #16 09-13-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackled

Do you feel better now that you did? Passive aggressive bs.

Yeah...I do feel better. I got what I wanted.

Passive aggressive BS? Would you rather I buy a plane ticket, fly down there, and punch someone in the face?

What would you have done? Self righteous BS.

BTW, threating someone openly is NOT passive aggressive...it's aggressive...period. I don't do passive aggressive. That was as aggressive as I could be on the phone. Passive aggressive would be to let it slide but then simply choose to never buy any of their stuff again. Is that what you would have done?

Geddyfleaharris · #17 09-13-2010, 08:11 AM

I have had the CD trainer now for 4 years. Still use it. No issues at all.

Geddyfleaharris · #18 09-13-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

Yeah...I do feel better. I got what I wanted.

Passive aggressive BS? Would you rather I buy a plane ticket, fly down there, and punch someone in the face?

What would you have done? Self righteous BS.

BTW, threating someone openly is NOT passive aggressive...it's aggressive...period. I don't do passive aggressive. That was as aggressive as I could be on the phone. Passive aggressive would be to let it slide but then simply choose to never buy any of their stuff again. Is that what you would have done?

Personally I don't have a problem with how you handled things. Glad you got something out of them. Too many of these big corporations get away with poor service just because of their size - there is usually no one who wants to take full responsibility for things. Poor customer service is a pet peeve of mine.

SH69 · #19 09-13-2010, 08:28 AM

i have found the volume output dial to be very sensitive, it's either quiet or very loud and seems to jump from one setting to the other when you move it a tiny bit. I called Teac too and fixing it would have been the same as buying a new one so i didnt bother. outside of that i love it. now i just leave it on the one volume setting and adjust the volume through the dial on my headphones.

totallyfrozen · #20 09-13-2010, 01:49 PM

Yes, and that's all I'm really saying. These TASCAM units are so incredibly useful and, IMO...just PACKED with features that you really don't want to do without one. I only wish that the moving parts on them were made more durable. I'm stuck either listening to it at one volume or unscrewing the case and getting inside the unit to turn it down (which is what I did when I opened it). I'm opting to just listen to it at a lower volume for now.