Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: ironbut on December 06, 2008, 10:37:21 AM
-
I've been a trying Last head treatment and Tape Preservative for a while now and while I still can't say if it Preservative will increase tape life to the extent that they claim, the process does clean the tape surface very well and leaves a lubricant which (I believe) reduces tape flutter to the extent that the high frequencies are more extended and audible. I'm using this treatment on the old tapes I've collected and not on the TP tapes since I don't feel like they need any help at this point.
I just thought I'd post that Michael Percy Audio has the normal sized bottles for about $10 less than ordering it directly from the factory. If you wish to download his catalog (great source for DIY parts) here's a link;http://www.percyaudio.com/
For more info on the Last tape products, here's one of my endless rattles on that and anything else that slipped into the forefront of my brain at the time;
http://www.tapeproject.com/smf/index.php/topic,240.0.html
-
thanks.
i'm thinking of letting my prerecorder tapes a second chance now that the head is being relappes. maybe the last will help too?
-
It seems like the tape treatment decreases friction enough so the higher frequencies are more defined and perhaps a touch more extended. It really depends on the tape. The super old tapes I've treated aren't really helped as much as the newer ('70-80's) ones. I just don't think that there's a whole lot going on above 15kHz on them in the first place. I still treat them because of the potential increase in life. The treatment makes it easier to keep them free from drop outs whether it is some anti static properties it has or the slicker surface I don't know. I just know that I've never had to clean a tape again once I've treated it.
It won't make a bad sounding tape sound good, but it seems to make a good sounding tape sounder gooder.