reel tape brands

[dr.bo]

awhile ago I attempted to list all the blank cassette brands I could think of. I thought of doing that for Reel to Reel tape: Agfa, Ampex/quantegy, Basf, Denon, Maxell, Scotch, Sony, TDK. I know about Memorex, Revox, Irish, Audiotape and others, but they weren't really quality as far as I could tell. Not sure where Realistic would fall either. But aside from adding to the list or arguing about it, what is your favorite reel to reel tape. I ask this because in the poll on favorite cassette tapes, TDK was #1. In my own opinion, I liked Maxell over TDK and all the other brands for reel to reel. I have both TDK and Maxell and Scotch tapes from 30 years ago, and I think the Maxells have held up the best. The scotch have become sticky, and the TDKs play well, but I don't think hold the sound ( the highs ) as well. Anybody else's thoughts? Thanks, dr.bo

[stripedcat99]

My absolute favorite, assuming you have a deck that can bias it, is 3M 996/967 and/or Quantegy GP9. The GX-747 does a decent job there.

Otherwise, its very hard to beat Maxell UD/XL and its variations, simply because it was durable, very forgiving in regards to bias, level, and everything else. It was hard to make a bad recording on that tape- you really had to try!

I dont have the sticky issues with the 3M/Scotch tapes that me and my family used over the years. Maybe its the specific types, or years, or that we never stored them on top of a steam radiator as I once saw someone do *headache*

[Des-Lab]

I agree. For both quality *AND* longevity, you are going to have a hard time topping any Maxell tape. I would say that the only tapes that could give them a run for the money would be TDK LX and GX.

The Quantegy tapes (407, 457, 499) have so far held up fantastically well and appear to be quite promising. But the Maxell's have a 25+ year head start. The oldest Quantegy's are only 11 years old. So it still remains to be seen how they do in the long term.

[Nakdoc]

Back in high school I would buy cases of Saxitone tape. Each batch was slightly different (Saxitone reputedly cut data tape down). Most of it was LN types. One batch had curious spots on the oxide side, and was browner, and sounded like crap. I mention this because there had to be many more sources for tape than just the brands we know of.

[dr.bo]

remember the really cheap scotch, I think it was called "highlander". I used to use that on a portable unit to tape off of TV. Funny thing was, the tape sounded the same 20 years later. I have wondered if I had a Hi fidelity system way back, if the tape would have actually made a decent recording? dr.bo

[Scorpion8]

There's LOTS of Highlander for sale on the famed auction site. I almost bid on a lot of 10 reels a few weeks ago before I slapped myself silly. Whew, close calls ....

[Nakdoc]

I was going to comment that the old Scotch 111 sounded best on older decks like the Teac A1200.

[dr.bo]

I started out with an Akai 4000 7", then moved to a Pioneer RT 1020L (still have ). That old 4000 made a sweet tape, or maybe my hearing was just better!

I was going to comment that the old Scotch 111 sounded best on older decks like the Teac A1200.

[wollensak1580]

For long term storage I vote for Maxell. I bought a box of un-opened 50/60 last year and I am amazed how well they have held up over the years. Consider the fact they had never been opened. I unwrapped them, spooled them on the Teac and started making fresh recordings. Quantegy is also another favorite of mine. For wider dynamics and for a hotter recording it's hard to beat Quantegy. I will have to add though I recently purchased a reel of RMGI SM911 and the quality is amazing ! This tape also does quite well when recording a little hot into the red zone. I have yet to try ATR.

1. Maxell
2. Quantegy
3. RMGI

[dr.bo]

Is it just me, or do Maxell reels tend to wind better than the rest? Doesn't seem to matter if back coated or not. dr.bo

[TheReeler]

Ampex tape can't be used with bobbys (without reels) because it winds really bad. Maxell is better, but for me, the best are Basf. It can be used without reels, just plate and bobby and were produced in lot of different formules.

Curious is that RMGI 911 has some oxide shed in the first passes, and this never happened to any BASF / EMTEC 911 that I own *eyepop*

[Des-Lab]

I agree. Maxell XLI, even on a full length high speed pass packs smooth as a babys butt. Ditto for RMGI/EMTEC LPR35 and TDK GX.

Can't say that about any other back coated tape I've tried including Quantegy 407, 457, and 499. Even the new ATR Master tape doesn't pack all that well in fast wind.

Few or no NON back coated tapes (including Maxell UD) pack smoothly on fast wind. But that's to be expected. That's supposed to be a benefit of the back coating: the smooth wind.

[DoublePromo]

Since I am new to the world of R2R's, would someone be so kind as to recommend just what reels I should get for a Technics 1506? Also, are reel tapes for the most part sold already in a case? (When I think about it the question does sound silly because I can't see 3600 feet of tape being sold not encased in something to hold it together) I am a DJ and so I don't mind spending a decent coin on good quality blank tapes, and what should one look for when it comes to blank reels? I ask this because since I have a Technics R2R I'd like to be able to buy good quality blank tapes but use Technics blank reels to spool them on - it's an aesthetics thing for me. And would anyone know the blank reels that J-Corder sells (with the Technics logos) are worth the price? FWIW I do have one blank Technics reel and two full-spooled Maxell reels (at work now but would be happy to provide a pic when I get home).

[El Monte Slim]

I always got good results with BASF LP35LH on the 7" reels, as well as on 10.5" reels. I also used Maxell LNE35-10 for 10.5" reels. I got excellent results with both. That was over 35 years ago, and they all have held up well. They sound as good as when they were recorded and exhibit no shed.

They were originally recorded on my Pioneer RT-1020H, and I have been playing them on that RTR as well as my Pioneer RT-1050 and my two Crown SX824s.

I recently acquired six reels of BASF LP35LH that are still shrink-wrapped. I always liked the packaging for these, as they came in the very nice plastic boxes with the inner plastic "can". I hope they have held up as well as the ones that I bought 35 years ago!

I didn't steal them, but paid what I consider to be a very fair price for them. I am looking forward to trying them on my two Crown decks. *reelspin**reelspin*


http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd167/winnabowflash/Vintage%20audio%20album/BASFLP35LHx6.jpg?t=1270505580

[Des-Lab]

Not really a steal in the literal and legal sense of the word. I paid the full asking price-albeit with an employee discount extended to me.

See what I paid (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=2378)some years back for a bunch of Maxell XLI 35-180B's.

Will make you drool like there's no tomorrow.

[Kent T]

A note: Scotch Highlander open reel tape was excellent quality, consistent from reel to reel, had good output, and never let me down in broadcast service. It's well suited to most any deck, even older machines. On a good deck, it's equivalent to Maxell LN in quality. And it was a bargain, back in the middle 1970's I paid as little as $2.98 for 1800". *reelspin*

[oblomov]

yeah, I've used some old Highlander. It's surprisingly good. Some high end roll-off, but...great for old jazz and such.