Hi Docb and Ki Choy,
Thank you both for taking time to reply:
Doc, thanks for the feedback on the "kits" but I have to say I am disappointed, as I am sure others will be. How bad are the fixed guides to do on a 5050 BIII, circa 1993? Can the roller bearing swing arms be made available or is that also a major installation hassle?
Hello again Ki! I have learned a lot about the 5050 recording/line out levels to consumer levels in the past few months and solved both of my problems which you helped me with early on. Thanks for that! If any one has this problem I am happy to share what I have learned.
Ki, thank you for the several methods to gently unpack the tape. I am sure many others will be interested!
I don't have access to the a Studer but the other methods are good 2nd alternatives that I will try if I can get the un-packing question resolved as I found NEW INFORMATION (below ) on unpacking, attributed to Ampex/Quantegy.
Another point of view for all who are interested un unpacking tape before baking:
I ran across a paper on tape restoration (contains a lot of good information) as follows:
Title: Magnetic tape deterioration: recognition, recovery and prevention, by Gerald D Gibson, Library of Congress, Presented at the IASA Conference in Perugia, August 26, 1996
http://www.unesco.org/webworld/ramp/html/r9704e/r9704e11.htmwhich states that Ampex/Quantegy both advise against unpacking because of print through. Partially quoted as follows:
"Regardless of the time and temperature selected (for baking), do NOT, I repeat NOT, rewind the tape before baking as this will almost certainly increase print-through problems, according to Quantegy/Ampex...."
Soooooo, to unpack or leave packed, that is the question???
Any other points of view?
Anyone try a convection feature in a good electric oven for baking tape ?
Thank you, Analogfan, Bob Edwards