Re: [ARSCLIST] BASF LH 60

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike, this is a true statement based on my experience. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason 
to it. In other words, you can't say "all cassettes made before 19XX are vulnerable." It seems 
brand-dependent to some extent and tape-thickness-dependent also (ie I've encountered more shell and 
splice problems with C-120's than C-60's, in general). Cheapo duper cassettes tend to be vulnerable 
to the plastic shape-shifting over time and causing mechanical problems, but that's not a hard and 
fast rule either.

Another problem we all probably encounter is that "voce grade" blank cassettes were intentionally 
manufacturerd for a low price point and are generally of low quality compared to "music grade" 
blanks. For instance,  a Maxell UDXL tape is much better constructed than a Maxell LN type (I think 
this was the cheapo normal-bias voice-grade type but I might be wrong with the letter). Even the 
normal bias music-grade UD didn't have as well-made a shell as the premium-priced high-bias type.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Hirst" <mike.hirst@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 5:23 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] BASF LH 60


<snip>
> It seems to me that the greatest vulnerability in working with vintage cassette tapes is the tape 
> mechanism itself. Following this experience I intend to spend some time collecting images and 
> details of the internal mechanism of the cassettes I work with. If there is interest, I would be 
> happy to share this information with others.
>
> --
> Mike Hirst
> Managing Director
> DAS-360°
> 16 Ocean View
> Whitley Bay
> Tyne & Wear
> NE26 1AL
>
> tel: 0191 289 3186
> email: mike.hirst@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> web: http://www.das360.net