Head Alignment/Lapping Tapes

[Teac4010]

Looking for an old head alignment tape. Have some old tapes but no idea what/how they were recorded. I remember they used to have cleaning/lapping tapes. Are they still available?

I'm beginning to recall the pain these old machines created. *headache*

Regards.

[Teac4010]

...so...... nobody has ever heard of or used a head alignment tape or knows anything about azimuth adjustment or where to locate an inexpensive alignment tape? *stirpot* Interesting.

[Scorpion8]

No. Most alignment tapes are quite spendy, and usually only the true techs own them. While I'd love to have one, I'm not sure I'm up to speed on doing an alignment. So far as lapping tapes.... I've always read that you have to remove the heads, otherwise the tape will just lap in the same spots that's already worn. Some tapes had head-cleaning leader, but not head lapping tape that I've ever encountered. New alignment tapes are still available, as radio stations and recording studios need them. But I don't think my credit card has the room to add one of those....:D

[Teac4010]

Thanks for the quick reply Scorpion8. I guess I'll have to trust an old pre-recorded tape from somewhere. After all these years you would think there might be a low cost alternative. !sigh! Regards.

[Scorpion8]

Of all the tape and audio forums and discussion groups I've been a part of, I haven't heard much talk of a low cost alternative. Especially as reel and cassette technology fades, it becomes more and more of a niche market, and thus only higher end. You might try radio station used equipment sales, going-out-of-business audio shops that had a tech desk, and similar venues. Or cultivate a good relationship with your local tech and offer to share the cost if he does the work and gets to keep the alignment tape.