Nearly everything with a backcoating made before 1995 (technically late 1994) is affected, except BASF/EMTEC/RMGI SM 911, SM 468, and Maxell XL/XL1.
I’ve seen AGFA PEM 468 listed on one website, but I really don’t think it has classic sticky-shed. Some of the AGFA had really heavier than normal oxide shed, which isn’t the same thing. I have AGFA, BASF and EMTEC branded 468 and all of it is good.
Unfortunately PEM 469 is one of the sticky ones. The 3M equivalents to AMPEX, such as 226, 227, 206 and 207 are vulnerable, but for some reason not as universally affected as AMPEX.
The best way to tell for AMPEX is the date of manufacture, which will be on a white label on the box and on the reel.
3M/Scotch discontinued the sticky numbers when they changed the binder formula, so any 226, 227, etc can be sticky. 226 was replaced by 966 (later renamed 986).
Consumer tapes like Capital Records “Music Tape” from the 70’s are also affected.
Not every single tape that could have sticky-shed will have it. It depends on the climate, especially humidity. There may be people in the High Desert happily using old tape, and are completely unaware of the issue. For people in Louisiana though, every tape on the list there is sticky – guaranteed… unless it’s in a climate controlled vault.
If you live somewhere in between those extremes it will depend on how the tape was stored -- In a warehouse, basement or garage would be bad; in an indoor closet maybe ok; in a studio vault has the best chance.
~Tim
