How much is too much for tape?

[jjones1700]

I didn't want to hijack any other threads for this, so I started a new one.

I keep seeing people posting up not to pay too much and that the prices on the web are awfully high right now. What is a good ballpark to look for? The only thing I have to go by is a price tag on the bag of one of my Maxell UD 35-180 reels. I think the price was $23. Granted, that is metal reel, good tape, and a sturdy box.

Any suggestions or input?

[cjacek]

I *may* have a completely different outlook on this [and certainly not to say others are wrong] but to me the price of tape is a subjective thing. [Not to say that prices have not gone up recently - they have.] For example, I see people selling new Quantegy 456 / 457, 1/4", 7" reels for about 20 bucks [+ -] but RMGI equivalent SM911 / LPR35 is substantially less, like maybe 5 - 7 bucks less. To me, the SM911 for $13 [1/4" / 7"] is a very good price, considering it's the quality BASF / EMTEC formulation and currently in production, under RMGI. Now, when you go to 10" reels of 1/4", the price picture changes but still you can get pancakes for 20 bucks and a metal or plastic 10" reel for not a lot more. That's inexpensive [TO ME], especially that I like to reuse tape, rather than continually buy more. Now we get to a rather touchy subject of 1/2" tape. It has gone up in price for sure, recently. That's well known. I, however, would be content with only a handful, at most, to satisfy several albums, which could take me a few years to complete. Thus about $60 per reel USD is not at all bad [for me]. Now, if you wanna go new old stock tapes then that's up to you and you will save some money.

[jjones1700]

I don't have the luxury (or would it be misfortune) of having a 1/2" deck. I've got the lowly 1/4" and am happy with it. One of these years I'll move up to the TSR-8, when my skills at the various instruments can justify it.

I think I paid about $25 for a pancake of 911 and I didn't think that was too bad. Haven't leadered it up and recorded on it yet since I need a head demagnetizer first. Paying $35+ for the 911 with the metal reel was a little more than I wanted to pay at the time, so I opted for the pancake. Once I get everything rolling on a steady basis I may order up a box of pancakes and see what kind of deal I can get. Live and learn.

[cjacek]

Hey, if you're recording with a 1/4" deck, nothing beats SM911 / LPR35 on 7" reels. I think I prefer the small reels over the larger ones and not only for the better price.

I mean, really, how wrong can you go with this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/EMTEC-RMGI-1-4-x...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/EMTEC-RMGI-1-4-x...QQcmdZViewItem

[jjones1700]

True. It's just that 7" reels look awfully wimpy on a machine that can play 10.5" reels.

I guess I could use the 7" on my GX-230D since the glass heads will last almost forever.

[Beck]

$25 is not a bad price for a pancake if you're just trying it to see. Unless you're buying in bulk the shipping costs make it all about the same. However, a year ago you could get ¼” tape on metal reel for about that much.

You can get 1/4" pancakes for much less than that buying in bulk. Request Media Mail shipping and save a lot more.

[jjones1700]

Originally Posted by Beck

$25 is not a bad price for a pancake if you're just trying it to see. Unless you're buying in bulk the shipping costs make it all about the same. However, a year ago you could get ¼” tape on metal reel for about that much.

You can get 1/4" pancakes for much less than that buying in bulk. Request Media Mail shipping and save a lot more.

Thanks for the tip.

Damn "must spread rep around" message!

[Beck]

Originally Posted by jjones1700

Thanks for the tip.

Damn "must spread rep around" message!

Thanks for the thought. Here's a post that deserves some if you must spread it around.

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showpos...28&postcount=7