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Ampex F-44: new heads, best tape

J

jrethorst

New Member
I'm the new proud owner of an Ampex F-44, which needs at least one belt and general cleaning -- and, if I can find any, new 2-track heads to replace the 4-track heads it has now. I think the 960 was the 2-track version of this, and those heads should be available if I hunt hard enough. Anyone know a source for NOS Ampex parts?

Also, I wonder what kind of tape to run in it (or ask the repair shop to bias it for). A post on one web forum said the F-44 is not happy recording on back-coated tape, and I understand the good tape these days (for original live recording of classical guitar) is back-coated, high-output, low-noise. Should I look for older tape? I understand not all of it lasts many years, sticky-shed syndrome and the like, so I'm wary of buying NOS tape from eBay. Someone said that Scotch 206 is good tape and doesn't suffer from SSS. Is that a good choice? All advice welcome.

Thanks!
John R.
 
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The F 44 needs to be used only with non backcoated tape only. Maxell UD, Scotch Dynarange, and similar is best available which are suited.
 
I should say that I had tape decks from about 1962 to 1972 so I'm fairly out of date. I was told that backcoated tape was the best quality in current tapes. Why is the F44 (or apparently any older deck) unsuitable? Insufficient bias signal? Can a good repairman adjust that? Otherwise, I can't find any RGMI/Emtec tape that isn't backcoated. I don't really want to go NOS, so that leaves out eBay. Where can I source good tape (for original live recording) that this machine can use? Thanks.
 
jrethorst said:
I should say that I had tape decks from about 1962 to 1972 so I'm fairly out of date. I was told that backcoated tape was the best quality in current tapes. Why is the F44 (or apparently any older deck) unsuitable? Insufficient bias signal? Can a good repairman adjust that? Otherwise, I can't find any RGMI/Emtec tape that isn't backcoated. I don't really want to go NOS, so that leaves out eBay. Where can I source good tape (for original live recording) that this machine can use? Thanks.
Click to expand...

You have to buy NOS tape. Nobody is making non backcoated tape anymore. The tension mechanism and flutter filter is why the F44 is not back coated tape friendly. And it can't bias anything more demanding very well either.
 
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