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R2R guys, help me with my quest!!

Numistrek09

Numistrek09

Super Member
Ok, maybe i've bitten off more than i can chew, but i'm gonna try this anyway. I'm working on putting together a couple of reference threads for our favorite brands of vintage reel to reel tape. Maxell and TDK. I'm looking to make a complete list of their line-ups through the years, with the dates manfactured. (If possible) I'm also gathering info on the ever changing packaging styles, tape leaders, tape lengths, and the reels themselves. I'm also trying to assemble pictures of each model. So far i'm doing well on my research of later date Maxell tapes, but TDK and early Maxell are prooving to be much tougher. Seems that very little is on the net about TDK tape. I don't even have the pecking order down yet. So here's my request of you guys.... fill me in on everything you know!! Go to your tape collections and pull as many different types of said brands as you can and tell me as much of the following as you can:

What was the order from lowest grade, to TOTL for TDK's tapes
What was the order for Maxell's earliest generations (60's era)
Tape type (mylar, poly, acetate)
Size of reel ( 3" through whatever)
Tape length (50 - 60, LP 200 etc)
Tape leader color & lettering / patterns, for both directions
Box appearence front and back. (would love pictures!)
Any accessories in the box
Dates manfactured in said style of packaging (if anyone knows this)

Feel free to add any other useable information on the tapes in question. Once my information is as complete and accurate as i think i can get it, i will make a post for each brand here for anyone interested.
 
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I have some Maxell reels I bought in the mid '70s in storage someplace. I'm already motivated to retrieve them, as soon as I do I'll post everything about them I can. I don't recall having any TDK, but it is certainly possible.
 
Yep call me in, I have various TDK and Maxell tapes bought over the years (mostly 1980's in The Netherlands).
I will take some piccies over the weekend from the different reels and leader tape patterns too.
 
Vintage RTR tapes

I'm out of town right now, but just last Saturday I dug out a large box with both 7" and 10 1/2" tapes. I know that there is BASF, Maxell and TDK brands in there.

When I get back and go through them, I will post some pictures and data about them.
 
Yeah, that will work. Looks pretty good even with the cello.

This is the kind of pics i'm talking about folks. The front, back, and a picture of the innards if open. (as reel type changed through the years) I can also see extra use for the back side pics, as printable replacement covers for used reel boxes. How many here would like to make a new back cover to write their play lists on?
 
I'm sorry I haven't got any pics yet. My tapes are stored in a place that is not so easy for me to get to. As soon as I can, I will.
 
scans, reduced in size for thumbnailing:
 

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Numistrek09 said:
Ok, maybe i've bitten off more than i can chew, but i'm gonna try this anyway. I'm working on putting together a couple of reference threads for our favorite brands of vintage reel to reel tape. Maxell and TDK. I'm looking to make a complete list of their line-ups through the years, with the dates manfactured. (If possible) I'm also gathering info on the ever changing packaging styles, tape leaders, tape lengths, and the reels themselves. I'm also trying to assemble pictures of each model. So far i'm doing well on my research of later date Maxell tapes, but TDK and early Maxell are prooving to be much tougher. Seems that very little is on the net about TDK tape. I don't even have the pecking order down yet. So here's my request of you guys.... fill me in on everything you know!! Go to your tape collections and pull as many different types of said brands as you can and tell me as much of the following as you can:

What was the order from lowest grade, to TOTL for TDK's tapes
What was the order for Maxell's earliest generations (60's era)
Tape type (mylar, poly, acetate)
Size of reel ( 3" through whatever)
Tape length (50 - 60, LP 200 etc)
Tape leader color & lettering / patterns, for both directions
Box appearence front and back. (would love pictures!)
Any accessories in the box
Dates manfactured in said style of packaging (if anyone knows this)

Feel free to add any other useable information on the tapes in question. Once my information is as complete and accurate as i think i can get it, i will make a post for each brand here for anyone interested.
Click to expand...

Here is some in formation leaders for Maxell tapes:

Earliest 10.5" tapes -

Hitachi Ultra Dynamic 35-10, or 35-180, Dull Gold Box with top Label ; tapes have Ultra Dynamic 150" on leader. "Hitachi" or Maxell label on metal reels with 3 cutouts.

Maxell LN 35-180 - Gray Box with Gray/silver Label; tapes have unmarked red/white leaders on both ends. "Maxell" on metal reels with 3 cutouts.

Maxell UD 35-180B - Dull Gold Box; Gold/Black top label; tapes have a Red Rectangle followed by "Ultra Dynamic 150" on leader. "Maxell" on metal reels with 3 cutouts.

Maxell UD 35-180 - Bright Gold/Black Box, no top label; tapes have a Gold Rectangle on leader followed by [3] 35's to the right. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Maxell UD - Split White on Left / Black on Right Box, no top label; tapes have a Black Rectangle followed by [3] 35's to the right alternating with [3] -> 35's. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Maxell UD - Gray/Black Box, no top label; 35-180 in Purple; tapes have a Black Rectangle followed by [3] 35's to the right alternating with [3] --> 35's. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Maxell UD XL - Gold/Black Box, no top label; UD-35-180B in Purple; tapes have a Black Rectangle followed by [3] 35's on leader. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Late Maxell UD - Blue/Black Box, no top label; UD-35-180 in Blue; tapes have a Black Rectangle followed by [5] 35's on leader. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Late Maxell XLI - Gray/Black Box, no top label; UD-35-180B in Purple; tapes have a Black Rectangle followed by [3] 35's on leader. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Late Maxell XLI - Silver/Black Box, no top label; UD-35-180B in Purple; Leaders have a Gray Rectangle followed by [3] 35's. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.

Final Maxell UD - Blue/Black Box, no top label; UD-35-180 in Blue; 35-180(N) on splines. Barcode Label on back of the box; tapes have a Black Rectangle followed by sequences of [5] 35's on leader. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts.


Final Maxell XLI - Gray/Black Box, no top label; 35-180B in Gray; tapes have sequences of [4] 35's on leader. 35-180B(N) on splines. Two big "M" Metal Reels with 2 cutouts. Barcode Label on back of box.

"EE" Tapes - All EE Tapes seem to be in Gold and Black boxes, with "EE" denotations.

A few more LN and UD variations are seen for 7" reels ( more of the Silver/Black boxes ? ) so maybe they also exist for the larger sized reels too.
 
Good stuff! I too have seen lots of different lengths of 7" reel tapes, but so far only 2 for 10". Anyone here ever seen lengths other than 50-120 or 35-180 on a 10" Maxell or TDK?

My Maxell list is comming along great so far. TDK is a bit lacking though, guess because it isn't as popular. Keep the pics and other details commin guys!
 
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