Sources for pre recorded 7 inch tapes

[gmfgmfgmf1]

Got my Reel to Reel going and have maybe 60 tapes
.............7 inch 7.5 ips

Any sources for buying pre recorded tapes? (not the tape project please - $450 per tape - ouch)

Thanks

 

[4-2-7]

Got my Reel to Reel going and have maybe 60 tapes
.............7 inch 7.5 ips

You will not find 7 inch 7.5 ips pre recorded factory tapes they didn't make them. In fact not many home tapers did that back in the day, so buying tape lots on the bay will get you 3 3/4 ips.

 

[Barncats]

If you mean modern/current pre-recorded, no. But to slightly differ with 4-2-7, in the golden age of r-t-r when it was in the top rank of formats, the classical labels did issue most of their recordings in 7.5 ips. (Longer pieces or compilations were issued at 3.75 and hyped as "double play".) This 7.5 situation lasted through maybe the later 60s, then everyone seems to have switched over to 3.75 ips. However, they are out there in 7.5. I suspect mostly classical, although certainly some of the pop labels issued titles on the faster speed. A few years ago I lucked into several hundred classical tapes, most of them never played, stickers still securing end of tape to edge of reel. These were typically duplicated on Ampex acetate stock, plain ol brown oxide. I've had a couple that were cupped, but 98% of them play great! The tape stock doesn;t break and they sound wonderful. Look around in antique stores, on CL, and also sign up to be a subscriber here on AK. You can buy stuff on the 'bay but it is usually priced astronomically high. Hth.

 

[tcdriver]

There are a lot of 7" 7 1/2 ips prerecorded tapes available on that famous auction website.

 

[stoutblock]

You will not find 7 inch 7.5 ips pre recorded factory tapes they didn't make them. In fact not many home tapers did that back in the day, so buying tape lots on the bay will get you 3 3/4 ips.

Not true. Although not as common at 3.75 ips, many, many prerecorded 7" tapes were available in 7.5" ips format. I own dozens of them. Also, they are worth 3-4 times more than the slower speed version of the same tape. Both popular, Jazz and classical can be found in 7.5" ips.

 

[4-2-7]

But to slightly differ with 4-2-7, in the golden age of r-t-r when it was in the top rank of formats, the classical labels did issue most of their recordings in 7.5 ips.

Not true. Although not as common at 3.75 ips, many, many prerecorded 7" tapes were available in 7.5" ips format.

Ok, If one listens to Jazz and Classical there may be a tape here and there one could find. I personally don't listen to that so I would not know there was some limited titles made.

 

[stoutblock]

Ok, If one listens to Jazz and Classical there may be a tape here and there one could find. I personally don't listen to that so I would not know there was some limited titles made.

Much more than limited titles. Pretty much 75% of all 3.75 ips recordings are also available in 7.5" ips. Check ebay, you will find hundreds of them. Typically they are well marked on the box and the reel as 7.5 ips. The quality of the faster tape is well worth the price. They are much harder to find.

 

[4-2-7]

Much more than limited titles. Pretty much 75% of all 3.75 ips recordings are also available in 7.5" ips. Check ebay, you will find hundreds of them. Typically they are well marked on the box and the reel as 7.5 ips. The quality of the faster tape is well worth the price. They are much harder to find.

Well that's good to know I'll look for music I like. I just sold my two Sansui SD-5050 along with all my tapes at 3 3/4 ips. I got better decks and recording at 7.7 & 15 ips, now but it's going to be a lot of work to get all that music I used to have recorded again.

 

[stoutblock]

Recording on tape is time consuming but fun.

 

[4-2-7]

Recording on tape is time consuming but fun.

LOL, but I'm lazy, However I know with my system now, my vinyl front end with 45 speed audiophile record and recorded at 15 ips sound great.

 

[stoutblock]

Yes they do. I have a couple dozen 10" 2 track 15 ips recordings.

 

[CheeseofBorg]

Misread this as 7" wide tape. How many tracks could you get on that? 224?

 

[revox-b77]

Misread this as 7" wide tape. How many tracks could you get on that?

Depends but for the most part 112.

 

[blhagstrom]

FWIW.

I brokered a HUGE pile of 7 inch factory recorded tape.
Mostly classical, opera, symphony.
Sold it all through eBay rather quickly.
Much of it went offshore.
Did very well on price.

Moral of the story, if you find it, act fast and have your play money ready.

 

[sixthday]

Yeah. EBay is a good place if you want it quickly.

 

[gmfgmfgmf1]

Thanks - my 60 are all 7.5 ips

 

[MaxxVolume]

I`m guesstimating that probably 25% of my 250 prerecorded tapes (mostly Rock) are 7 1/2 ips. It`s a shame that the higher standard wasn`t applied to more tapes....

 

[phantomrebel]

I agree with Stoutblock and others: I'm not sure what some were saying as many prerecorded tapes were put out in both 3-3/4 and 7-1/2 IPS. Most of the works from the Beatles, for example. As mentioned, the ratio towards higher speed becomes greater in the Jazz and Classical genre, but many prerecorded Rock tapes were released in 7.5 IPS. It seems that, like today, pop was released in the cheapest format (lowest speed) possible. I would, however, argue against the notion that all 7.5 IPS tapes are superior to the 3-3/4 variants. While typically true, I've noticed many exceptions. It depends on many factors, including tape formulation and the playback deck, YMMV. If I want a particular album, I just go with what was released. If the tape is good, it typically outperforms the vinyl and cassette versions. If I REALLY love the album, it may be available in 2-track 15 IPS from various modern production houses. This comes at a price, as the OP stated, but can be worth it as there is nothing better, save the original master (I assume).
To the OP: Ebay, Discogs, Goodwill, and even Bartertown here, are the best sources for used (and sometimes NOS) pre-recorded as the days of randomly running into 7" tapes for cheap at your local record store are few and far between and no modern houses are currently producing them (there was a campaign started on this forum to get Analog Productions to make 7" releases but it was in vain as it doesn't pencil it out). I've heard of legendary finds on Craigslist, but I've never witnessed any. What, specifically, are you looking for?

 

[MaxxVolume]

There is/was a seller on eBay (from somewhere in New England, maybe New Hampshire or Mass.) who must have purchased the inventory of a record store or warehouse. In the past couple of years, I have bought several NOS R2R tapes from him, still factory-sealed, and after the auction, he would always relist them again, indicating that he had multiple copies of these. You might want to look for him.

 

[dave_n_s]

Starting with full disclosure... I have a large collection of my own and also sell commercially recorded 7" reel to reel tapes; I"m not here marketing but would like to share some thoughts about a hazardous market:
1. There are a lot of bad tapes out there, bad for several reasons, distorted edges, wear due to use on dirty heads, undeclared stretched sections etc. For untested tapes without any history, figure 15-20%. However that's better in my experience than visually graded LPs, which can look great and be sonically disappointing even after a VPI cleaning.
2. Prices are hugely variable - there appears to be a lull in classical prices at the moment except for tapes in high demand and some real bargains buying small lots (2-4 say) from reputable sellers. If you're an opera lover in particular, there are some great bargains out there.
3. Less popular labels have some fantastic recordings (Vanguard, Angel (UK EMI), Westminster) at good prices.
4. Rarity doesn't seem to drive price, demand does, except for the more limited area of two track. I've done some analysis of prices over a few years and there is not a seasonal price trend. I was surprised.
5. Two track is potentially capable of fantastic quality, but the tapes are often getting brittle and need careful handling / leaders so you avoid the risk of losing a couple of inches each time you play them. You have to ask yourself if the equation of higher quality balances higher price and risk of damage. I have no two track tapes in my own collection.
6. I've had some terrible 3 3/4 ips tapes and some very good ones. I suspect it's not the mastering, but care over the years. I only buy 3 3/4 tapes for my own collection when there isn't a 7 1/2 ips alternative. I've found 3 3/4 ips rock tapes that were very good indeed - the music is possibly less demanding of the medium, providing they've been looked after and played on a well maintained machine.