[Vintage-Audio] Re Value Of Recording Tape

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

I am curious about the value of Scotch recording tape type 227. They are 
seven inch reels, 1 mil and 1800 feet. They are still sealed. They have been 
stored in a temperature and humidity controlled room.

I am told that this tape was a very good commercial grade with outstanding 
frequency response and extremely low noise. The high frequency roll off is 
outstanding, even when recording at 3 3/4 IPS. It uses the much heavier 
black/gray oxide instead of the reddish Iron Ferrite.

Where did I get these? A friend in Hawaii who works for the U.S. Navy. When 
the Navy decided to stop using their reel to reel equipment they disposed of 
several hundred NOS reels of this excellent audio tape. He was kind enough 
to sell me forty reels at a very low cost.

I have used it on a Revox B-77 and a Teac A-5500. The results were 
incredible!

What is this Scotch type 227 worth per reel nowadays?

Here is a fun thought for the audio specialists on this list:

As most of you know, I am totally blind. I happened to pick up a reel of the 
type 227 with my right hand and a box of type 150 with the left hand. I 
thught I detected a difference in the weight of the two boxes, as the type 
227 felt heavier. I also have some commercial grade Scotch type 207, it too 
felt heavier than the type 150. A sighted friend happened by, so I got out 
my trusty non-digital postal scales and we weighed the two grades of tape 
sealed in their boxes. The type 227 was indeed heavier, by 3/4 of an ounce! 
I attribute this to the heavier coating of oxide on the tape.

What is the difference between the Scotch type 207 commercial grade and the 
type 227?

Does anyone know what the commercial grade coating that is a blackish/gray 
is made of?

If any of you need seven inch reels of commercial grade audio tape, I would 
be willing to let you purchase some of my stock. I also have four ten inch 
reels of Maxel still sealed, type XL1 35-180b. 3600 feet, 1 mil and very low 
noise. I am told this was their best audio tape, as it is no longer 
produced.

What are those using reel to reel decks going to do for audio tape with 
almost nobody producing seven and ten inch reels anymore? I know it can be 
purchased on the Bay Of E, but one never really knows if it is 'new' or 
'used', the actual storage conditions (temperature and humidity can destroy 
or preserve, depending on whether said tape was properly stored.) and if 
used, but in "like new condition" just how "used" used actually is.

Duane W8DBF
dfischer at usol.com