TDK SD??? Never seen this ...

[Scorpion8]

Picked this up new and unopened from a local merchant today. Never seen this issue of TDK tape, and I thought myself quite the tape guy. Any info, Des? Was this good stuff, between SA and D, or completely separate?

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/SCAN0021.jpg

[Des-Lab]

That tape was circa 1987, at the height of the Maxell vs. TDK "war". The SD was their answer to Maxell's UDS-II. Note the similar colors: maroon/tan/gold, same as the Maxell. It's basically an entry level high bias. It's not a not a bad tape at all. But the SA is/was better.

[Scorpion8]

Well, I thought I knew them all. AD, HX, SA, SA-X, MA, etc. This one was new to me. He only had one, and I doubt I'll unwrap it for use. I've got several UDS's and enjoy them quite a bit.

Gawd, I miss the tape-wars-days .....

[Mr. Lin]

It says super so it has to be good.

[Mr. Lin]

That tape was circa 1987, at the height of the Maxell vs. TDK "war". The SD was their answer to Maxell's UDS-II. Note the similar colors: maroon/tan/gold, same as the Maxell. It's basically an entry level high bias. It's not a not a bad tape at all. But the SA is/was better.

You know, I ordered one of those UDS-II cassettes you have pictured here from a seller on ebay, whom I've done business with a few times before, and I fear it's lost in the mail. Over two weeks and it's not here, he's in upstate NY, I'm in Central NJ. I really wanted to try this one out too.

[Des-Lab]

I can see being upset if something you paid for never shows up. Especially if it's something expensive. However, I would not build up too much anticipation or excitement to actually USE a UDS-II. That, along with the SD, are bottom line Type II's. Plenty of better tapes are out there.

Now if you looking at procurement for collectible purposes, that's another story. Hope you get your tape(s) soon.

[qubeular]

i had an sd some time back, i recorded the first leo kottke/mike gordon album to it.

it was ok, but the highs arent quite as good as the sa. and it was slightly murky sounding.


seems like a tape that was made with leftover particles using a very forgiving manufacturing process like the one used for the d.


i could be 100% wrong tho.

[Web Police]

I have never tried any of those tapes, but a gal in Minnesota was selling them on ebay a while back. I also saw a few websites selling them.

[braxus]

I have one of these tapes, but yet to use it. It sits with the other collection. I really need to get my turntable fixed. Anyway Matt is correct. It was the base model chrome tape.

[Scorpion8]

You know, I ordered one of those UDS-II cassettes you have pictured here from a seller on ebay, whom I've done business with a few times before, and I fear it's lost in the mail. Over two weeks and it's not here, he's in upstate NY, I'm in Central NJ. I really wanted to try this one out too.

If you don't, get yours, PM me a mailing address and I'll send you one. It's once-used, but looks brand new in great shape. I have a couple laying around.

[Mr. Lin]

If you don't, get yours, PM me a mailing address and I'll send you one. It's once-used, but looks brand new in great shape. I have a couple laying around.

That's very nice of you, thanks!

I have a feeling this guy might send a replacement in the event the UDSII is lost, he's that kind of seller. Extremely friendly and communicative, and like I said, I bought tapes from him before.

[Scorpion8]

[QUOTE=Mr. Lin;1712]That's very nice of you, thanks![\QUOTE]

No problem. Least I can do for a tape guy who suffers thru living in NJ. Which off-ramp? :D

[Mr. Lin]

[QUOTE=Mr. Lin;1712]That's very nice of you, thanks![\QUOTE]

No problem. Least I can do for a tape guy who suffers thru living in NJ. Which off-ramp? :D

Yes, very funny.:D

[Des-Lab]

I've seen a good chunk of "Joisey". Once you get away from Newark and Elizabeth, it's actually a pretty scenic state. One town that really stuck in my mind was Berkeley Heights, tucked away in a little valley not far from Newark. Though finding your way around can be a nightmare if you are like me and not really familiar with everything. The roads seem to be laid out haphazardly in all kinds of different directions. And nothing has names. Where I come from in SoCal, I'm used to seeing things like "Tustin Ave", "Foothill Blvd", and "Alton Pkwy". In Jersey, all I saw was signage like "Exit 206", "Route 488", and "Garden State Parkway" over and over. And again. Everything seemingly running in ramdom directions. And not all of the streets have easy on and offramps to the freeways...excuse me...TURNPIKES like we have. One street will be "exit only (and the next one ten miles away) and vice-versa with the on ramps. And even while driving down a city street, it's a cacaphony of "one way", "no left turn", "no right turn", and "don't even read this sign" craziness.

And don't EVEN get me started on the toolbooths or "express"-I-95 being barricaded with several lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

So yeah. I don't envy anyone who has to get around back there. I've done it. And it's no picnic.

[Scorpion8]

I've done. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. That's why I can be comical about it. Yes, there are some very scenic places, especially on the Cape May area where I spent summers vacationing as a kid.

[Jay Pemberton]

Actually, that SD wasn't the original. I thought it strange to use that designation for a type 2 tape, when it had once been used as the designation for their first premium-quality tape formulation, both for reels and cassettes, in the late 1960s. This was begun before there were any type 2 (or other) tapes.

I don't know when they discontinued the original SD designation though.

[Mr. Lin]

I've seen a good chunk of "Joisey". Once you get away from Newark and Elizabeth, it's actually a pretty scenic state. One town that really stuck in my mind was Berkeley Heights, tucked away in a little valley not far from Newark. Though finding your way around can be a nightmare if you are like me and not really familiar with everything. The roads seem to be laid out haphazardly in all kinds of different directions. And nothing has names. Where I come from in SoCal, I'm used to seeing things like "Tustin Ave", "Foothill Blvd", and "Alton Pkwy". In Jersey, all I saw was signage like "Exit 206", "Route 488", and "Garden State Parkway" over and over. And again. Everything seemingly running in ramdom directions. And not all of the streets have easy on and offramps to the freeways...excuse me...TURNPIKES like we have. One street will be "exit only (and the next one ten miles away) and vice-versa with the on ramps. And even while driving down a city street, it's a cacaphony of "one way", "no left turn", "no right turn", and "don't even read this sign" craziness.

And don't EVEN get me started on the toolbooths or "express"-I-95 being barricaded with several lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

So yeah. I don't envy anyone who has to get around back there. I've done it. And it's no picnic.

I live in Central Jersey, just about ten minutes from the Pennsylvania border at the Delaware, so it's actually really beautiful out here. I grew up driving in this kind of insanity so it's not a huge deal anymore, but I still get really irritated, even in the somewhat-small town I live in. We have three of the infamous "circles" here in town, and another really bad one about 20 miles away.. Now that's a test of your driving skills!