Re: [ARSCLIST] wire recordings - archival storage

[Angie Dickinson Mickle <angie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott D. Smith wrote:
> I always thought all the wire made by W-C was stainless as well, but 
> apparently there were at least couple of different grades (which I've 
> seen reference to in some literature from the 1940s. Would have to dig 
> for the source). 

I would be very interested in your reference to this when you get a chance.

> I have seen some wire which has exhibited a crystalline 
> type of oxidation (usually easily cleaned). 

I've seen this also.  To me oxidation is rust, but this is definitely 
some environmental reaction.  It does not seem to effect the recording 
or the integrity of the wire in the least.  And I find it more often on 
the metal spool itself than the actual wire.

> I've never really experienced any issues with print-through on wires. 

I hadn't either until very recently.  A very loud volume passage on a 
wire definitely could be heard seconds later.  It could be argued that 
that low level garbling that is frequently heard on wire could be 
print-through.  On the other hand, it could be incomplete erasure of 
previous recordings.  I could never tell.  Weighing tails out storage to 
future playback equipment compatibility, I'd continue storing heads out 
with a proper, even wind.  Because, here's my question.  After being 
stored heads out for 50 or 60 years, how much worse can any 
print-through get?

Angie Dickinson Mickle
Avocado Productions
Broomfield, CO
www.avocadoproductions.com
800-246-3811