Tape to avoid??

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LAB3

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I just un packed my late Dad's Revox A-77 MkIV 4 track..... his notes say Ampex tape is messy, have to clean heads more ofter. Maxell "EE" tape is hard on the heads. Other maxell was OK... This machine is " Biased" to BASF 10.5" reels 2400 feet tape reels. Pop notes said the longer the tape the thinner it is and it will stretch faster. BASF tape that has been stored correctly is hard to find on Fleabay and not cheep. I have a lot of empty metal 10' reels looking for some "Pancaked" BASF or?? I have not messed with this machine in 25 years. I have questions on the Newbie section. Advise please.
Thanks
Louis
 
Look at the "sticky" sticky shed tape thread in this forum. Generally speaking, non-backcoated tape (like Maxell UD or Ampex 600 series) is OK. Almost all backcoated Ampex tape made prior to 1995 and certain Scotch tape is going to be bad, same for certain BASF/AGFA.

It isn't just about "cleaning the heads more often" the tape is useless. I found this out hte hard way when my Tascam 38 came to a complete halt using 456 from 1989.

Review the thread it will list specific brand and formulations to avoid.

Maxell EE is designed for specific decks.
 
I used Ampex Grand Master on my TEAC in the late 70's and early 80's. It was great tape. Later this tape had sticky tape shed. My old BASF tapes from that time are still perfect and the Maxell is still OK more or less. As for new tape the only tape I've tried is RMGI 468 and it can sound great but my TEAC does not handle it well for some reason. If I'm doing a clean once over recording on new 468 its fine. But once I've recorded over is a couple of times it gets full of dropouts. I'll be ordering some ATR and Quantegy soon. Quantegy is essentially Ampex and if its a good batch it can't be beat IMO.

You're better off staying away from old tape and by all means stay away from used tape. New fresh tape is always a better option and its worth supporting the very few companies that still make it.
 
LAB3 said:
I just un packed my late Dad's Revox A-77 MkIV 4 track..... his notes say Ampex tape is messy, have to clean heads more ofter. Maxell "EE" tape is hard on the heads. Other maxell was OK... This machine is " Biased" to BASF 10.5" reels 2400 feet tape reels. Pop notes said the longer the tape the thinner it is and it will stretch faster. BASF tape that has been stored correctly is hard to find on Fleabay and not cheep. I have a lot of empty metal 10' reels looking for some "Pancaked" BASF or?? I have not messed with this machine in 25 years. I have questions on the Newbie section. Advise please.
Thanks
Louis
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum. Do check out the sticky thread. You can buy new RMG tape. BTW your best bet is to post all analog questions in the analog forum. The newbie section is filled with analog haters.
 
New RMGI LPR-35 will be a good bet. Get the deck biased for it and stick with fresh tape. I've been very happy with the stuff. Pancakes from Full Compass are the most reasonably priced but it's still not cheap. If you want 1 mil tape go with the RMGI 911. I think the bias is the same.
 
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