Re: arsclist Identifying Tape Types

["Steven Smolian" <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

Someone with an experienced eye can make a reasonable guess if the stock was
from major manufacturers.  If white box and drugstore types, all bets are
off.

You might want to measure tape thickness as well, though that gets tricky
due to inconstancies.  I have a trusty spring-loaded thickness gauge which
costs c. $ 50 or so.

=========================
Steven Smolian    301-694-5134
Smolian Sound Studios
---------------------------------------------------
CDs made from old recordings,
Five or one or lifetime hoardings,
Made at home or concert hall,
Text and pics explain it all.
at www.soundsaver.com
=========================
----- Original Message -----
From: Nathan Georgitis <nathan_georgitis@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 5:35 PM
Subject: arsclist Identifying Tape Types


> Hello,
>
> I am in the process of creating an inventory of a large collection of open
> reel recordings on 1/4-inch, polyester-base magnetic tape. These reels
date
> from 1970 to 1990. Few of the reels are housed in their original boxes.
None
> of the tapes seem to have identifying tags at the head or tail.
>
> I would like to identify the brands and numbers of these tapes, if
possible.
> I have been noting the presence or absence of backcoating and trying to
> develop a feel for tape thickness and an eye for the colors of oxide
> formulations. Does anyone have any tips for identifying tapes beyond these
> steps? Is there any collected information out there on tape types and
their
> characteristics, such as thickness, reference fluxivity, years of
> production, etc.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
>
> Nathan Georgitis
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
>
> -
> For subscription instructions, see the ARSC home page
> http://www.arsc-audio.org/arsclist.html
> Copyright of individual posting is owned by the author of the posting and
> permission to re-transmit or publish a post must be secured
> from the author of the post.
>