Greetings, My name is Charles and I'm new to the forum. I've read the forum guidelines and please forgive me if my question has already been discussed in the past, but I did not notice anything with a basic search. My question pertains to what level of durability might one expect with the continual playing of original and vintage reel to reel tape albums. Mainly albulms from the 60's and 70's which did not suffer from sticky tape syndrome.
Since the recent restoration of my Akai 1722II, I've remained mesmurized by the sound quality I get from some reel tape albums that are already over 30 or 40 years old. I'll never forget the first time I heard Karen Carpenter voice on "A Kind of Hush" album on my reel player and how stunned I was in disbelief as to the crisp and clarity of her voice. It seemed to have a better sound than what I'm use to getting on a cd. I'm now collecting as many reel to reel albums I can get my hands on, and while a few I've obtained were victims of sticky tape syndrome, I have more so been rewarded with obtaining albums which seem to play perfectly.
I wan't to enjoy my collection for a lifetime, but I have to assume that some level of degradement occurs with continual playing of tapes which are already decades old. I notice a fine film of magnetic tape residue will form on my capstan roller each time I play a few of the old album reels. I'm not sure if this is a normal occurance with playing of reel tape, as I grew up with cassette and cd's. I'm wondering (for those who might know or might educatively estimate) as to what extent of playability can I resonably expect from a vintage tape which was not manufactured and compoed with the poor binding agents that lead to stick tape? Let's also presume that the tapes will only be played on well maintained and properly funtioning tape players. How many plays have some of you managed with your old tapes? Have you ever worn any out?
I'm thinking I should maybe invest some effort in attempting making copies on fresh reel to reel tape, and reserve the originals only for duplicating. I'm just not fully sure if making a quality and near perfect copy (only one) is easily attained, as I recall making pretty lousy duplicates with cassette tapes when I was a kid, but I most likely was using consumer grade recorders.
Anyhow, please forgive me if this reads like a loaded question, and only address to what you may feel is pertinent or beneficial towards the overall topic. I thank you for your time in reading and for any information you provide. Regards-Charles
Since the recent restoration of my Akai 1722II, I've remained mesmurized by the sound quality I get from some reel tape albums that are already over 30 or 40 years old. I'll never forget the first time I heard Karen Carpenter voice on "A Kind of Hush" album on my reel player and how stunned I was in disbelief as to the crisp and clarity of her voice. It seemed to have a better sound than what I'm use to getting on a cd. I'm now collecting as many reel to reel albums I can get my hands on, and while a few I've obtained were victims of sticky tape syndrome, I have more so been rewarded with obtaining albums which seem to play perfectly.
I wan't to enjoy my collection for a lifetime, but I have to assume that some level of degradement occurs with continual playing of tapes which are already decades old. I notice a fine film of magnetic tape residue will form on my capstan roller each time I play a few of the old album reels. I'm not sure if this is a normal occurance with playing of reel tape, as I grew up with cassette and cd's. I'm wondering (for those who might know or might educatively estimate) as to what extent of playability can I resonably expect from a vintage tape which was not manufactured and compoed with the poor binding agents that lead to stick tape? Let's also presume that the tapes will only be played on well maintained and properly funtioning tape players. How many plays have some of you managed with your old tapes? Have you ever worn any out?
I'm thinking I should maybe invest some effort in attempting making copies on fresh reel to reel tape, and reserve the originals only for duplicating. I'm just not fully sure if making a quality and near perfect copy (only one) is easily attained, as I recall making pretty lousy duplicates with cassette tapes when I was a kid, but I most likely was using consumer grade recorders.
Anyhow, please forgive me if this reads like a loaded question, and only address to what you may feel is pertinent or beneficial towards the overall topic. I thank you for your time in reading and for any information you provide. Regards-Charles