Rare Reels

[speakerman1]

I just picked up 2 7" AKAI cutout reels. How rare are they? What others are rare?

[TheReeler]

If you refer to the one with two different sides, one with AKAI letters and the other side only with big holes, the 7" version is common. The rare is the 10.5" version.

[hakka26]

Reeler is spot on about the rarity. Here is a link to a thread I posted. These Akai 7" reels are said to be rare but I think it's all relative.
http://tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=1036

[speakerman1]

what else are rare?

[TheReeler]

For me, talking about 7" metal reels, one of the rarest are:

TDK AR-7M

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/thereeler/tdk7_2.jpg


AMPEX

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/thereeler/ampex7_4.jpg


More than 9 years watching reel auctions and trying to find all class of related stuff, and when we talk about 7" metal reels, for me those are the rarests.

[speakerman1]

Thanks for your time. I'm just learning here. Playing it by ear.

[TheReeler]

Anyway, the collector always try to look for a scratch free reel, and, if possible, with original box. But sometimes all together makes go the price really high. I've paid $$$ for empty reels unopened and most times they are the most expensives if we are taling about rare reels, but anyone can buy a Maxell MR-7 unopened for a standard price.

After some time collecting reels, I think that it's time to stop *fit*

[stuwee]

Anyway, the collector always try to look for a scratch free reel, and, if possible, with original box. But sometimes all together makes go the price really high. I've paid $$$ for empty reels unopened and most times they are the most expensives if we are taling about rare reels, but anyone can buy a Maxell MR-7 unopened for a standard price.

After some time collecting reels, I think that it's time to stop *fit*

Nah, you'd have to change your username on all the sites *headache*!
OT, those TDK's with the big slot/window are cool looking, i've seen 10's like that, I want some!

[Des-Lab]

If you hurry, you might be able to get three of those 10" style TDK reels. There is a lot of 3 NOS GX 35-180B (http://cgi.ebay.com/3-TDK-GX-35-180BM-Pro-Reel-to-Reel-tapes-10-5-3600_W0QQitemZ170284011674QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVinta ge_Electronics_R2?hash=item170284011674&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A200)tapes about to end. That's some damn good tape to boot.

[Des-Lab]

Indeed. "GOOD" (as in mint or nearly mint condition) 10" metal reels of the vintage variety are hard to come by. And are usually not cheap. Probably the cheapest ones to get in terms of good condition/low cost ratio would have to be the Ampex or Quantegy ones. Then the Maxell double M's. Going above that such as any of the vintage "deck" reels (Teac, Akai, Sony, Pioneer, etc), and then you are starting to get into the big bucks. My "ace in the hole" (doubtful I'll ever pull it out) is a Denon 10" that's nearly flawless. I have two other Denon's, both are clean but not quite as good. I have NOS 10" Maxell reels (double "M's) coming out of my ears. I've also got a few mint Maxell three holers as well as plenty of Scotch narrow three holers and a few TDK's and Akai's as well.

[TheReeler]

The 10.5" version of the TDK 2 holes reel is common. Uncommon in the 7" version and my two costed, each one, more than $50...

[Des-Lab]

Here's a couple of shots of one of my Denon reels. The style itself isn't all that rare, but finding an original release with the Denon decals on it is. I snapped these really quickly so I apologize for them not being the best quality. I can take more, better lit pictures later if needed. Also shown is a pair of them posing on the X-2000R.

[TheReeler]

Another rarity. This time is this BASF design found on just a few set of SM911 I think. I'm not sure if it was a worldwide serie or just european.


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5243790645_dfe176e7dd_o.jpg


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5244386910_9609844998_o.jpg


PS: The images were taken now while the Pioneer RT-909 was playing a tape recorded two days ago.

[df_genius]

Here are my metal 7" reels. I have a fair few 10.5" metal reels but they are in the loft as I currently don't have a 10.5" deck:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6521/dscf2283.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/dscf2283.jpg/)

[Des-Lab]

I'm pretty sure that these reels are rare. Indeed they are probably the only ones of their kind in the world. Both custom made by me.

http://x-2000r.angelcities.com/images/tapestuff/RareReels.JPG

[shotwell]

LOL @ DES

http://i56.tinypic.com/2m5c5xi.jpg

I sold this pair on eBay early in 2010. They came with my black Akai GX-77. The picture sucks, but they were absolutely perfect. *reelspin* *reelspin*

[TheReeler]

Here are my metal 7" reels. I have a fair few 10.5" metal reels but they are in the loft as I currently don't have a 10.5" deck:

The Akai in the top left is one of the most expensive's I've ever seen. I never won an auction for a never used one and I think I've bid about more than $100 in the past.

I also like that Realistic *eyepop* The other four are already in my collection. I think I'll take more pics of my collection of metal 7" reels... they are my favorites!!

[df_genius]

I've got to be honest, I've only ever bought one metal spool on it's own (which is a TDK not even in the picture!), all the others have been in collections I've bought either with decks or as job lots, so I've not paid much for these.

[Des-Lab]

Well at the other end of the scale, it would have to be the classic Maxell "double M" reels. Here is my current supply of still-to-be used specimens.

http://www.tapeheads.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=15434&d=1287246034

[TheReeler]

The Maxell double "M" is one of the colest for me... but also is one of the most found all over the world. Is difficult not to find one.

I don't like the design used with the "EE" Maxell tape, with just one "M" and a stick with the "EE" *headache*

[Elite-ist]

Another rarity. This time is this BASF design found on just a few set of SM911 I think. I'm not sure if it was a worldwide serie or just european.


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5243790645_dfe176e7dd_o.jpg


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5244386910_9609844998_o.jpg


PS: The images were taken now while the Pioneer RT-909 was playing a tape recorded two days ago.

Hello Reeler,

That BASF reel is a very nice one. And of course you have a few of the Pioneer spoked take-up reels, too.

Nando.

[rawbcca]

Very Rare TEAC Gold Reels 17566

[Scorpion8]

Very Rare TEAC Gold Reels 17566

That's cool! Those look awesome.

[Fast Forward]

Very Rare TEAC Gold Reels 17566Wow those would probablly bring a fortune on e-bay