In article . com,
wrote:
Thanks. The tapes in question were made by Ampex and the symptoms
match descriptions of sticky shed syndrome.

Right. I have heard of problems with Ampex. It may possibly be made worse
by the higher temperatures in the US compared to the UK. I store my
archive tapes in sealed containers in the cellar which keeps cool year
round.

(I also have recordings on Maxell tape that seem to be fine.) And no,
my machine does not use NAB hubs: I was referring to the spools that
hold the tape itself. I have a couple of tapes on metal spool, but all
the rest are plastic.

The large pro 10 1/2" reels of 1/4" tape are referred to as NAB reels in
the UK. So the hubs as NAB too. Most machines used 'NAB' adaptors which
could be removed to take a 'cine' spool as standard domestic types were
called.

Good domestic machines like Revox used the same idea.

--
*You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive *

Dave Plowman London SW
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