More Bad Sticky Shed Tape Than Ever Lately on eBay

[Beck]

And it's being bought up like hotcakes, like all we've discussed in the past here is unknown... perhaps a new generation of analog enthusiasts.. who knows. Anyway, it's been a while so here's a reminder of what to avoid among the most common tapes I've seen selling of late.

- AMPEX 406. 407, 456, 457 made before 1995

- 3M/Scotch 226, 227, 250, 806, 807, 808, 809 - ALL years

- AGFA 469 -All years

Recently saw a single lot of 19 reels of Scotch 226 go for $175.00 plus $35.00 shipping. The buyer got $210.00 worth of bad tape. I cringed and had to look away. Could be it was bought for resale, so look out for it.

 

[cjacek]

This type of information has made me a more informed buyer. Thanks again Tim for your vigilance.

 

[VESSEL2020]

Yes! Thank you for the "heads up"!!!

 

[RRuskin]

IMHO, buying used recording tape makes as much sense as buying used toothpaste.

 

[Beck]

Yeah, no doubt Rick... the toothpaste analogy works.

I don't recommend buying used tape. All the tapes I'm referring to are NOS sealed in box. When the new owner opens a new box of any of those mentioned above he'll find them in a sticky shed state right out of the box. The binder deteriorates over time, new or used doesn't matter. And if he doesn't know to avoid these tapes in the first place he'll likely spend a lot of time and money trying to figure out what's wrong with his tape deck before he eventually finds this forum or other sites and sees the term "Sticky Shed" for the first time. Unfortunately it's a common scenario.