Question about backcoating

[aolderguy]

I just bought a Teac X1000R and have been amazed about the information on this site. While searching eBay, I found a pretty good deal on some non backcoated Maxell 35-180 tape. Then I found a listing for a reel of the same tape except they list it a being backcoated. My question is should I only buy tapes with backcoating or am I ok with either type.

Thanks for any help,

Brian

[Eminence1963]

[QUOTE=aolderguy;179666]I just bought a Teac X1000R and have been amazed about the information on this site. While searching eBay, I found a pretty good deal on some non backcoated Maxell 35-180 tape. Then I found a listing for a reel of the same tape except they list it a being backcoated. My question is should I only buy tapes with backcoating or am I ok with either type.

Thanks for any help,

Brian[/QUOTe
Maxell is good tape, backcoated or not. TDK is also primo tape. My *twocents**thumbsup*
Read through the forums here. There is all kinds of opinions on tape.
Thats what some of these forums are for*yes*

[Dogface1956]

Brian,

I have had very good luck with Maxell, TDK and BASF tapes. Either backcoated or not.

Jeff

[Lance Lawson]

Backcoated tape falls into 3 groups. Old stock that is still good, old stock that has gone bad and new stock that is good. Old Maxell is nearly always fine so free confident using it. Old Ampex, Sony, 3M and several other's are frequently plagued with a condition known as sticky shed syndrome. It is far easier to avoid these sticky shed tapes than it is to treat them to make usable. I know as I've treated quite a few lately. YOu're going to be much better off sticking to NOS Maxell backcoated and very fine new tapes made by ATR and RMGI. Neither is cheap but unused Maxell is not cheap either.

[Skywavebe]

Hi Brian,
As a tape user for many years and fixing machines as well, I always buy back coated tape for my use. The other stuff is usable but if you can get the B version then you will see better performance from a back coated tape.
If you don't believe me ask how many professional tapes come WITHOUT back coating. None of them that I know of. I have seen a lot of non-back coated tape have all kinds of problems with the tape pack due to static and it just not wanting to lay like the coated stuff does. It is a falsehood to blame back coating for sticky shed problems, it comes from other reasons.

[Nakdoc]

On a deck with 2 or more bias and EQ settings, gray non-coated tape is the low setting and back coated tape is the high setting. Oxides used for back coated tapes are higher bias point and have greater MOL.

[aolderguy]

Thanks everyone for your quick response.

I have read many posts on back coating but I didn't find a definitive answer therefore this post.
I am beginning to think that it is a personal or economic choice at least for some, or maybe I misunderstood your answers. It makes sense to use the back coated tape but so much of the tapes I see on sites like eBay etc don't have back coating, it can be confusing.
Even with my question I have received different answers. Please don't assume I don't appreciate your responses, I really do. I guess I am more of a black or white guy.

thanks again
Brian

[Skywavebe]

Hi Brian,
Usually when I look at a tape that is for sale or not the presence of back coating is a must for me. Yes these tapes did cost the same or a little more but in the long run they will be better for you due to the better tape handling.If you have questions about the answers I gave, I will be happy to answer them. There are back coated tapes that have sticky shed issues, there were a few that did not have it. It has nothing to do with back coated tapes but more about when the formulas were changed for the binders.
It just so happens that all the garbage non back coated tapes don't have stick shed just by virtue that they were made before the experimentation with binders happened. If you think a tape like Scotch 150 or 177 or Ampex 631 is going to give you better performance because it is cheap and non back coated, well you are in for a surprise. I would rather invest in a tape such as 3M 226 and 250 and take the chance now that the solution has been found, for sticky tape than to be forever stuck with a sub grade tape like the above mentioned just to avoid stick shed condition. Maxell UD XL I has not been known to have stick shed up to this point but like I said there are a lot of tapes that have come from the garbage pile that can now be used without fear as long as they are treated with the Nu Finish system. I have done it to a badly squealing tape and it now plays all the way through the tape without a problem. This should clear up some of your questions.

[aolderguy]

Skywavebe,

Thanks, your answers have always been clear. I can tell you are a meticulous service tech by your answers. I don't think I misunderstood any posts, I was just a little surprised by the different answers. Like everyone else I just want the best performance and longest life from my deck. It was much easier when I first bought my X10R, I could just go to my favorite audio store and pick up a reel or two of Maxell UD. I will stick to back coated tapes just to make sure.

Thanks again to everyone
Brian

[Lance Lawson]

Skywavebe,

Thanks, your answers have always been clear. I can tell you are a meticulous service tech by your answers. I don't think I misunderstood any posts, I was just a little surprised by the different answers. Like everyone else I just want the best performance and longest life from my deck. It was much easier when I first bought my X10R, I could just go to my favorite audio store and pick up a reel or two of Maxell UD. I will stick to back coated tapes just to make sure.

Thanks again to everyone
Brian

Yes once it was so easy to feed our reel to reel machines. In the glory years of the late 70's when my Teac was brand spanking new I could simply walk down the street a couple of blocks to this great little hifi audio store. They carried Ampex,3M, Maxell, BASF and TDK. The owner was also a musician and they carried some nice high end and mid level microphones too. Well I'd shell out my $7 for a reel of 7" Ampex Grand Master every week or so. It seemed unimaginable that one day these types of stores would be gone and that reel to reel tape would become nearly extinct. This is why although I can treat sticky tape I choose to buy the new tapes. I want them to be around for the reel to reel community for a long time to come. Plus the new tapes are amazing and worth a try!