BatteriesNButter.com and Akai Cassette Tapes

[Web Police]

Well I thought I'd try to get some answers from BNB on the Akai cassette tapes, however my efforts were about as productive as asking customer service at Akai Electric company. :-?

Me- Hello,

Can you tell me a little bit more about the Akai SX and GX cassette tapes on your website? Do you know approximately what year they were manufactured? Are they current production from Akai or New Old Stock?

Lastly how Many of them do you have on hand? And when they are gone is that it, or can you get more?

Thanks,



The short answer from Dave at BNB.com -

THEY ARE NEW STOCK, I HAVE AS MUCH AS YOU NEED

:D

In case you missed the dialog with Akai, it went like this;

Me - Can you tell me if Akai still makes and or sells cassette tapes? If not can
you tell me when they were last produced and sold. Also did Akai make its
own magnetic tape or did you have another manufacturer produce it.

Thanks,

Akai - Good day,

Our company does not manufacture those units. I'm told that there are other
companies that are also called AKAI but we do not have information on their
company. You might want to try www.akaipro.com.

I don't know why emails from their website get sent to us, but we are
different companies.

Regards,

Customer Care

So the mystery about the Akai tapes remains. *bang*

[NAD613]

So, what's the problem? If they have as much as we'll need, that's OK with me.

I'm beginning to think that got some kind of an Akai cassette-making machine, or they have a 300,000 sq. ft. warehouse filled with nothing but blank Akai cassettes.

[Web Police]

No problem just curious, where they originated from. Inquiring minds want to know. *dunno*

[Des-Lab]

I just took the plunge and ordered some. Not sure I'll use them all. But at least my curiosity will be satisfied.

When I get them, I'll go over them with a fine tooth comb and see if I can uncover any clues as to the mystery surrounding them.

It's always possible that there is no mystery about them at all. And that is they were made in the 80's by Akai before they went under (yes I know about the current Akai. But I also understand there to be no corporate connection between the two). They were probably made in the thousands or tens of thousands and simply sat in a warehouse all these years. Perhaps B+B snatched them up at some kind of court sanctioned auction for a penny apiece and is now simply blowing them out. Like I said. Let me get my hands on them and see what I can find out. I mean your first and most obvious clue should be right there on the J-card and/or packaging. What is the country of origin? You know....the "Made in____".

If there is NO country of origin, then that right there should raise all sorts of red flags. Folks. Makers of products in this country don't put the "Made In" for convenience. It's done by law as per the FTC ruling that was levied against one of the Big Three Detroit Automakers back in the 70's. I don't have the details or docket number handy right this second, but because of some alleged deceptive practices back then, ALL products of all kinds sold in this country (I believe it was in 1975 or thereabouts) MUST contain this information.

Since I am not aware of any "clear type" cassettes being in production pre 1980, it's highly unlikely that these are NOS going that far back. So if there is no origin country printed anywhere on the tapes, then it's very likely they are either gray market goods imported from who-knows-where. Or else are outright black market counterfeits.

[Mr. Lin]

The J card for the Akai GX says Tokyo, Japan. I'm confident these are legit.

[NAD613]

You still haven't bought any of the Akai tapes, Des?

It mentions Japan on the wrapper & on the J-card "Akai Electric Co., LTD. Tokyo, Japan". These tapes seem to me like they were made in the early 90's, unless they're new & still being made. That response from B&B makes it sound like they have a never ending supply. I ordered 14 boxes of those tapes this weekend, but maybe I didn't need to. I just don't want to be caught high & dry for quality blank cassettes.

[Des-Lab]

You must've just missed my post. I finally broke down and just ordered some. Not many, just some just to have and try. As though I need more tape, right?

Anyway, a couple of you answered that they say "Akai/Tokyo/Japan".

Then that likely confirms my original hypothesis and that is they are nothing more than a boatload of NOS that B+B somehow got their hands on and is simply dumping them to get them out. Since the original Akai went bust in or around 1986, it's unlikely that they date from after that. They do have a very 80's-esque look to them. So if I were to hazard a guess as to their antiquity, I'd say anywhere between 1980-1986. And I doubt that Akai Mk II would've bothered to [re]start production of cassette tapes, given that the format was long since dead from the mainstream conscienceness by the time they were running. Especially seeing that they are selling so cheap and B+B seems to be the only legitimate source of them. So all anecdotal evidence up to now points to the warehouse full of NOS theory.

Makes me wonder what other warehouses might be out there somewhere just filled to the gills with old tapes. Old GOOD tapes that is.

[NAD613]

You must've just missed my post. I finally broke down and just ordered some. Not many, just some just to have and try. As though I need more tape, right?

Anyway, a couple of you answered that they say "Akai/Tokyo/Japan".

Then that likely confirms my original hypothesis and that is they are nothing more than a boatload of NOS that B+B somehow got their hands on and is simply dumping them to get them out. Since the original Akai went bust in or around 1986, it's unlikely that they date from after that. They do have a very 80's-esque look to them. So if I were to hazard a guess as to their antiquity, I'd say anywhere between 1980-1986. And I doubt that Akai Mk II would've bothered to [re]start production of cassette tapes, given that the format was long since dead from the mainstream conscienceness by the time they were running. Especially seeing that they are selling so cheap and B+B seems to be the only legitimate source of them. So all anecdotal evidence up to now points to the warehouse full of NOS theory.

Makes me wonder what other warehouses might be out there somewhere just filled to the gills with old tapes. Old GOOD tapes that is.

No, I saw where you ordered some. I just meant that I was surprised you hadn't ordered any previously.

Here's a pic of the J-card from those Akai tapes:

[Mr. Lin]

You must've just missed my post. I finally broke down and just ordered some. Not many, just some just to have and try. As though I need more tape, right?

Anyway, a couple of you answered that they say "Akai/Tokyo/Japan".

Then that likely confirms my original hypothesis and that is they are nothing more than a boatload of NOS that B+B somehow got their hands on and is simply dumping them to get them out. Since the original Akai went bust in or around 1986, it's unlikely that they date from after that. They do have a very 80's-esque look to them. So if I were to hazard a guess as to their antiquity, I'd say anywhere between 1980-1986. And I doubt that Akai Mk II would've bothered to [re]start production of cassette tapes, given that the format was long since dead from the mainstream conscienceness by the time they were running. Especially seeing that they are selling so cheap and B+B seems to be the only legitimate source of them. So all anecdotal evidence up to now points to the warehouse full of NOS theory.

Makes me wonder what other warehouses might be out there somewhere just filled to the gills with old tapes. Old GOOD tapes that is.


I assume the warehouse full of NOS Akai tapes theory to be true as well. It's kind of amusing that he replied he has "as many as you need." We've practically been trying to clean B&B out and they still say that? I guess it's encouraging. I can't wait to read your impressions of these Des-Lab.

[NAD613]

I assume the warehouse full of NOS Akai tapes theory to be true as well. It's kind of amusing that he replied he has "as many as you need." We've practically been trying to clean B&B out and they still say that? I guess it's encouraging. I can't wait to read your impressions of these Des-Lab.

At $4.50/box for the SX-90, $7 for the GX-60, & $8 for the GX-90, we should all take advantage of buying those tapes at those prices for as long as we can. See who lasts longer, us or B&B.

[Flyquail56]

Matt,

I'd say that your third paragraph is probably correct: no mystery at all. I first bought some about a year ago, and I haven't found anything suspicious about them.

Here are a few clues while you're waiting for your order. The wrapper has a UPC barcode on the back (don't know if that is any help in dating them or not), as well as: Akai Electric Co., Ltd. Tokyo Japan, which I suppose is the equivalent of Made in Japan.

The shells have a light gray tint, screwed together, and have the mu metal shield behind the pressure pad. There is an eight-digit number that appears to be heat-stamped into the top edge of the shell, between the knockout tabs. The shells are not extruded with any provision for type IV sensing tabs in the middle of the top edge.

I've mentioned this before, but the feature that I find quite clever is that the printing for the cassette shell is actually on the slip sheet and not the shell itself. It won't wear off, and there may have been some savings realized in manufacturing.

Of the tapes that I have around here, the only one that is somewhat close in appearance is a TDK SD, which I think is early 90s. However, it is a darker smoked gray color and is not screwed together, so definitely not the same shell. The Akai tapes do not look anything at all like any other TDK, Sony or Maxell tapes that I have.

It would be fascinating to know who actually did the manufacturing. I have the impression that most manufacturers of tape decks who also sold tapes did not make them themselves. Sony is probably the obvious exception. But we know that Nakamichi didn't make their own tapes, and I doubt that Yamaha did either.

Meanwhile, good to know there is plenty of stock available.

Best regards,
Mike

[Acoustic]

You all got me to bite... I just ordered 50 of the GX-90's from B&B. Sure it was the auto calculating after hours web site... but it was interesting that I didn't get a shipping quote. What I've done at other sites (Total Media) was to get a shipping quote on say 50 and add 10 more at a time to see when the shipping makes a $$ leaping move. Just shows you all the cheap.... well you know. :D

[Mr. Lin]

Mike, I've noticed the Akai tapes "sort of" resemble the current TDK D, at least insofar as they both have tinted shells. No reason to believe the two have anything to do with each other, just an observation.

I think like Des-Lab suggested there may in fact be no mystery, this could be very simple: Good NOS tapes from the 80s left in a warehouse were bought up by B&B, and we're all benefiting from it. It's still interesting to ponder though.

[NAD613]

You all got me to bite... I just ordered 50 of the GX-90's from B&B. Sure it was the auto calculating after hours web site... but it was interesting that I didn't get a shipping quote. What I've done at other sites (Total Media) was to get a shipping quote on say 50 and add 10 more at a time to see when the shipping makes a $$ leaping move. Just shows you all the cheap.... well you know. :D

At $8/box, you can't afford NOT to buy them! I know I cant; I ordered a case (ten, 10ct. boxes) of the GX-90.

[Mr. Lin]

You all got me to bite... I just ordered 50 of the GX-90's from B&B. Sure it was the auto calculating after hours web site... but it was interesting that I didn't get a shipping quote. What I've done at other sites (Total Media) was to get a shipping quote on say 50 and add 10 more at a time to see when the shipping makes a $$ leaping move. Just shows you all the cheap.... well you know. :D


They calculate the shipping fee later, so you'll see it's been billed to you once you're notified they've shipped your tapes. They're pretty fast.

[close652]

Here's my Akai GX, bought in 1990 (+/-1 year).
No information on "made in" - obviously I do not have the shrinkwrap anymore...

[Flyquail56]

Mike, I've noticed the Akai tapes "sort of" resemble the current TDK D, at least insofar as they both have tinted shells. No reason to believe the two have anything to do with each other, just an observation.

You are correct, sir! I did not think to look at a new production TDK D, but having done so, it is interesting to see that it is identical to the early 90s TDK SD shell that I mentioned, with the exception of the SD having a darker tint.

And getting back to the statement by Dave at B&B that *I have as much as you need*; that's great, but they sold out of SX60s about a month ago didn't they? :-?

Mike

[NAD613]

You are correct, sir! I did not think to look at a new production TDK D, but having done so, it is interesting to see that it is identical to the early 90s TDK SD shell that I mentioned, with the exception of the SD having a darker tint.

And getting back to the statement by Dave at B&B that *I have as much as you need*; that's great, but they sold out of SX60s about a month ago didn't they? :-?

Mike

Yeah, they reminded me of the early 90's TDK D tapes, too. Back when they were somewhat decent.

As for the Akai SX-60 cassettes, yeah, they did sell out a month or two ago. I would have thought the GX tapes would have sold out before those did. Maybe the huge bulk supply they bought was light on the SX-60s. The Akai SX is a very good type I tape IMHO.

[braxus]

Yes the SX is a good tape which why I bought another 40 of them.

Matt- I would be interested in reading a review by you of the SX and GX tapes and have you compare the sound to any Maxell of your preference. Maybe Maxell XL-I and XL-II.

[Des-Lab]

I promise. I'll prepare a full test report upon getting these tapes and after I've had a chance to fully evaluate them.

[Marc Hugo]

Howdy NAD and Des and team,

NAD, these people at shops selling the tapes (the media discount house type place....). It was worth asking the question because you might have got an informative answer from an interested party. Unfortunately, the odds were stacked against you. You hope, as I always do, that the seller is as enthusiastic as you are about what he's selling. Some hope. He might as well have been flogging you a sack of growers mash, two cokes, a matching set of single-use coat hangers and a tin of vaccuum gas that he'd just siphoned out of his own head. He not only didn't know, he didn't care. The average clerk at these places doesn't know whether he's having a haircut or a hamburger.

Your question in retrospect was valiant indeed.

By the way, if there's a bar code on those Akai tapes I think we can track down the country of manufacture.

Take care all,

Marc