Tape for TEAC A-4300SX?

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diggy_dude

diggy_dude

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The owner's manual shows bias and EQ settings for several brands and formulations. Which tape has the best chance of being in usable condition and not shedding all over the place?

Teac A-4300SX Owner's Manual
 
Now all of y'all analog gurus are gonna act like y'all don't know?
 
Thirty views, no replies. This ain't the rubbernecking thread! :spank:
 
I figured someone who knew what thickness of tape that machine could handle happily would be a better person to reply.
 
It takes 1 mil or 1.5 mil. I have a sealed reel of Ampex 4xx (I forget which) made in Redwood City that I'm scared to try. There's no date or code on the box.

Would UD 35-90 be a good substitute for UD 35 or UD XL-35?

I should mention that, although it's a stereo deck, it has auto-reverse, which technically makes it a 4-track?
 
I have a A-3300SX which is probably very similar. It likes 1mil tape. Don't use the Ampex tape, it will be sticky. Maxell UD is fine tape, and is similar to Ampex/Quantegy 407 in terms of specs, I have a few reels of UD35, it's not back coated, but great tape. The 1.5 is recommended for the 1/2 track version.

NOS Scotch 207 is good, LPR-35 would be fine too, and both look like they are on that chart too (it was kinda small)
 
The B stands for "Backcoated" the 90 or 180 is only the size of the reel. I'm not sure exactly what the number is measuring or the unit of measurement is but 90 translates to a 7" reel, 180 is the 10.5"
 
Thanks, Blue Jinn. :)

So I want to steer clear of any Maxell that has "B" on the end of the model number, right?

Turns out the reel I have is 641. I hear the 6xx series is safe. It's only good for voice recording, but I can use it to test the recorder at least.
 
Backcoated Maxell is fine, as is Scotch 206/207. The sticky shed thread here (which is sticky) has the list. Generally any Ampex backcoated tape (unless made after 1995) and most Scotch branded backcoated tape except 206/207 is sticky. 641 is not backcoated and fine for checking out the functions. I've recorded on it on my A-3300SX, but I think I think it suffered from overbias, the recording was tad muddy.
 
I'm not expecting great results from the 641. I'll experiment with different bias and eq settings and see what happens.

Thanks again!
 
Dude. This thing is f**king BEAUTIFUL!!! :D

I wasn't expecting great results from the 641, but I was pleasantly surprised. If it sounds this good with 641, I can't wait to hear what the UD-35 sounds like! :eek:

The spindle is bent on the takeup side, but I was still able to get the reel on and lock it down. I had to adjust the turntable height on that side because the tape was rubbing the flange. The capstan and pinch roller are dirty, the heads look pretty good. I plugged in my iPod and recorded Giuffria's "Girl" and Ray Price's "For the Good Times" from it. Listened on Sony headphones. It cuts out from time to time in the left ear. Nothing major, just a slight drop in volume on playback. I think a proper servicing will make this deck a keeper. :D
 
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