NOS Tape???

[ledogboy]

Hey Guys-
I am in possession of a full carton of Ampex 456 1/2" that has never been used. The tapes are still wrapped in plastic and they have a date code of '82 (might be '84, I'm tired and the brain is fuzzy). Would this be worth something to someone? I thought about trying to sell it, but with all of the shedding problems I've seen with old tape, I wonder if the stuff is worthless. On the other hand, since it is unused and sealed, maybe it's still great stuff. I can't test it, as I have no 1/2" and I really don't want to sell something that is garbage. I'm not trying to sell the tape here- I swear I would put it in the buy and sell if that were the case- I am just curious as to how old, unused tape would hold up. Cheers,
Ryan

[Marlowe]

I'm curious about this too because I have a Teac 80-8 that I am about to start using again because it sounds so damn good. My old tapes from the late 80s are all shed-tastic now but some of the even older tapes that came with the machine when I bought it (used) are fine (all tapes are Ampex 456).

I understand this trend is true generally. Early tapes are ok but the later versions have binder troubles.

I'd think the only way to find out is to bust open a reel.

Marlowe

[nacho459]

It's a 456 thing. I had a box from 1992 that was total crap by 2005 but I have used 499 from the early 90's and have no problems. Also I think any 3M tape is bad by now. I went through a bunch or old reels of tape from the 80's about three years ago when Quantegy initially closed, and everything but the 499 and BASF stuff was in shed city. All this said I was doing an album in 2005 and had 2 reels of BASF 911 that both tested fine, and sounded great, about halfway through the session I was curious what the manufacture dates were of the two reels, one was 1991 the other 1979! but they both were in top shape still.

[drumsound]

I've used a lot of used 3M 996 with only a few reels giving me problems.

Maybe you had an issue because of how/where it was stored?

[fazeka]

Tony, whirred. The only 3M/Scotch stuff that I know is nasty is 226, 250 and 966 (yes, 9<b>6</b>6), in that order.

Much more problems with 456...

[ladewd]

We had 4 reels of Ampex 456 laying around the shop dated '93. They were sealed. I opened them in 2004 and they still worked. Of course a year after that they turned to goo. I knew there was a reason I gave up on tape. I've seen all brands and formulations go to shit. To be fair, I've lost my share of digital stuff also.

CA