How long do cassettes last ?

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Gotta disagree with you guys, on the young things not caring about your tapes and boomboxes, I was born in 1989 and bought all your old tapes and stereos at yard sales back in the 00's People my age weren't into them but now the generation Z kids? I have friends born in 2000 that think boomboxes and cassettes are awesome, and not even the nerdy kind! I think cassettes and old tech is something like a Rolex, They cost a fortune but a Timex keeps better time, but the charm is the mechanical movement, the analog feeling I guess. These Z kids, are generation X's kids and they are driving stick shift cars and playing with dads old boombox, I think its great!

That is some great insight right there. Very interesting in deed. I have always kind of felt that way about "My dad's era" of things. Damn cool to know that Cassettes and Boomboxes are seen that way by the new gen

 

[Line Out]

Just few days ago when I searched for belts from the small local electronics repair shop, the old man there told that cassette decks are coming more often for a repair. I think some hi-fi guys are searching that analog mechanical feel also. He told that for one of the decks, the owner had paid 1700€ but couldn't remember the make or model.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Just few days ago when I searched for belts from the small local electronics repair shop, the old man there told that cassette decks are coming more often for a repair. I think some hi-fi guys are searching that analog mechanical feel also. He told that for one of the decks, the owner had paid 1700€ but couldn't remember the make or model.

Very Interesting. I think that because cassette decks are far more difficult to repair compared to a turn table and the fact that vinyl never really when out of fashion that cassette's are struggling a bit more to make their come back. Biu it's comments like the ones in this tread that I find so very interesting.

Nice on Line Out!

 

[floyd]

I think people at the end of the day spend money on the things they love a lot of people still love cassettes and cassette decks and as long as there's a demand somebody out there is going to capitalize on it if they're smart.

In my entire life since I started using cassettes I've never stopped using them or keeping an eye out for the cassette recorders and boomboxes ,car stereos.

 

[ZacMac]

I scored a mint Cyndi Lauper "She's so Unusual" tape at Val-Village the other day, 99 cents and I don't think it was ever played more than a few times and then stored for 30 years in ideal settings, Sounds awesome, It's Chromium Dioxide, lol

 

[metalhandbag]

I have a Beatles Rubber Soul tape from the sixties still sounds fine .

 

[MyOhMy]

I have many tapes from the mid-70's onwards and always carry out a full FF & RW before using them for reasons mentioned here and to make sure the tape is complete and still fixed to the reels as I know nothing of the storage history of recently acquired tapes.

What I have found is that some of the pads (?) on the cassette tapes have lasted the duration, I suspect poor storage. Of the two distinct types of pad I have noticed, a few of the smaller, lighter coloured pads have become detached which is an easy fix as the pads are in good condition but, with the darker, larger pads, I have noted a few that have deteriorated and disintegrated (just as old foam may) and will need to be replaced with something suitable. I have my eyes peeled but suggestions are most welcome although salvage would be a last resort. (good examples shown below).

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

I have many tapes from the mid-70's onwards and always carry out a full FF & RW before using them for reasons mentioned here and to make sure the tape is complete and still fixed to the reels as I know nothing of the storage history of recently acquired tapes.

What I have found is that some of the pads (?) on the cassette tapes have lasted the duration, I suspect poor storage. Of the two distinct types of pad I have noticed, a few of the smaller, lighter coloured pads have become detached which is an easy fix as the pads are in good condition but, with the darker, larger pads, I have noted a few that have deteriorated and disintegrated (just as old foam may) and will need to be replaced with something suitable. I have my eyes peeled but suggestions are most welcome although salvage would be a last resort. (good examples shown below).

casscombo01sfw.jpg

All good point M.O.M.

I know we have some members here that belong to www.tapeheads.net. Maybe they could point us in a direction of where you could buy replacement pads.

 

[MyOhMy]

......What I have found is that some of the pads (?) on the cassette tapes have lasted the duration, I suspect poor storage.....

Oops! What I meant to say was: What I have found is that some of the pads (?) on the cassette tapes not have lasted the duration, I suspect poor storage.....

Many apologies if this has caused any confusion or otherwise portrays me as a nincompoop!

 

[MyOhMy]

As I type I'm listening to the album Sweet Baby James by James Taylor, dated 1970, and it plays & sounds perfect at 48 years old.

 

[BassHead]

I love vinyl and cassettes. Nothing better then having a physical copy of your music. The liner notes, graphics, touch/smell just make it special to me. I do have a hi-fi rig which I listen to classic rock on....but to be honest when it comes to hip hop, I don't mind blasting my RC-M90 and keeping it old school. It sounds good enough for what I'm trying to get. Hi-fi systems (tube amps, etc) don't do it for me when it comes to hip-hop.

 

[MyOhMy]

I have to agree with your words regarding handling a physical thing rather than scrolling through mp3 lists, it can't be beaten.

I'm still going through a load of tapes I bought a few weeks ago and there's some real gems in there, I'm now playing First Take by Roberta Flack (1969) as it still plays as good as it ever did - after 49 years! Dear me, I must be getting so old - I remember these songs like they were released yesterday.