Sticky Shed Help Thread

[Beck]

To check for sticky shed eBay listings go here >>

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...56#post2449156

Then ask questions and discuss here. That way we can keep the listing of bad tapes clean and easier to manage.

Links for more info:

http://www.radiocollege.org/readingr...aft/baking.php
http://beradio.com/news/radio_baking...ing/index.html
http://www.unesco.org/webworld/ramp/...e/r9704e11.htm
http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/3941/stickyshed.html
http://www.easylisteninghq.com/engin...tm#StickyTapes
http://www.josephson.com/bake_tape.html
http://audio-restoration.com/baking.php
http://home.flash.net/%7Emrltapes/pubshed2.pdf

[zed32]

so how can you tell that the tapes in question are no good? can you tell by the wear on the packaging?

i know nothing about tape

[Beck]

so how can you tell that the tapes in question are no good?

i know nothing about tape

Years of working with the afflicted tapes and knowing others in the industry with the same experiences, as well as credible sources on the web. It dawned on me how few people there are that can look at a box or reel style and immediately know to avoid it. I'm trying to pass the ability on so more people can navigate the used tape minefield with success.

[cjacek]

Here's another good source of information: http://www.recordist.com/ampex/docs/...icky-shed.html

[Beck]

Here's another good source of information: http://www.recordist.com/ampex/docs/...icky-shed.html

Thanks Daniel!

[cjacek]

Those are most excellent and informative posts on this topic. Thanks Tim!

[Beck]

Does GP9 suffer from sticky shed syndrome?

I've never had to buy used tape, but from the little I understand, I feel that if I had to I would buy GP9 used (provided I was using a machine calibrated for it).

-MD

Nope... never had it. GP9 is a Quantegy product introduced in 1998.

[Beck]

I have a question that sort of relates to this...

If a recorder on ebay is listed with these tapes (as in you get these for free),
is it better to not buy the recorder? Since sticky tapes were used with it?

Is there anyway to tell just by looking if the machine may have problems?

The machine will be fine, but it will need a good cleaning. In fact sticky shed has caused many a machine to be retired early because the owner interprets the problems as a breakdown of the deck. As always ask about the condition of the heads… ask for pics. Tell them to keep the free tape and charge less for shipping.

[fred s.]

Are these ok?

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ne23/ampex.jpg

[_DK]

Are these ok?

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ne23/ampex.jpg

There's usually a sticker with a 7 digit number which is the date when it was made.
But it's not always bad, I've got an Ampex 1/2" from 1986 and it's alright... and I live in Ottawa, not in a desert...