"degaussed", i had to look that up! ;-) Yes, i was given a demagger when i got the machine and have frequently - not that i knew exactly how - demagged. Having now read the articles on the web, i may try it again a bit differently. The guy that sold me the machine said "switch it on well away from the machine, the make circular motions, taking it closer to the machine, going to the head but DON'T TOUCH THE HEAD!!! Then reverse motion and switch it off". The weirdest thing is, when you plug the demagger in, it makes a right loud buzzing noise in 'OFF' mode, but once you move it to the 'ON' position on the switch it has, it goes quiet! So... I've always used the 'ON' setting, but reading here
http://www.taperecorder.co.uk/demagnetizing.htm it says that the demagger should be noisy!
I haven't had a chance to give the heads a really good clean, but when I do, using the usual cotton buds, head cleaner alcohol stuff - pink liquid that again came with machine, I'll also try the tooth-pick, business card techniques that people have mentioned on forums for stubborn dirt, as I think it probably is just dirt on track one that is the issue.
After reading about the tape baking, I'm a bit put off trying it for now. If I get track 1 running and the tapes play, I'll just get them transferred asap to WAV files on the comp, then invest in some fresh tapes for future recording. The first recordings were done in 1993 and I think the tapes were Ampex, though I'd need to double check.
Any pointers with any of this, I'm happy to hear what advice people have.
Thanks