Why are Empty Take Up Reels so Expensive?

[BeatleFred]

I dont get why the empty reels I see on Ebay cost more than actual supply reels with tape on it ?? Is there anything that special about these empty take up reels to justify the exorbitant price??


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3036080917&category=15000

[Sckott]

Metal reels are hard to find sometimes. You can buy that size reel in plastic, but I wouldn't do it for something valueable.

[Steve Hoffman]

Go here.

Buy many.

http://www.polylinecorp.com/productlist.asp?OPT=030040000100000200

[BeatleFred]

Awriiiight- Thanks Steve! I think I will be ordering some to use with my beloved Teac A-3440 :)

Ok- dumb question: why do some empty take-up reels not have the slot that allows you to insert the end of the tape into, otherwise with no slot- you then have to hold the end of the tape down with your finger and wind the tape around and on top of it a few times to secure it, which seems a bit clumsty to me ???

[Steve Hoffman]

Well, never use the slot. It can cause a "bump" and 20 years later you could be in for real trouble.

By the way, nothing wrong with plastic take up reels either....

[sgraham]

Best to get reels with no slot if possible. I used to take the flanges off metal reels and put them on discarded hubs from bulk packs of Scotch and Ampex tape, but alas, we rarely use analog tape any more and the last time I went looking for some (they used to be like tribbles) I came up empty handed.

But I have some spare old 10" reels and boxes. I don't mind parting with a few for postage. (May have metal centers with slots.) PM me if you want a couple.

RE: plastic reels, the smokey brown or clear ones Polyline sells are just fine. The solid grey ones 3M sold tended to warp and damage the tape.

[BeatleFred]

Do you have any to accomodate 1/2" size tape? I have one of these as well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545456586&category=41480

[BeatleFred]

While we're sortve on the subject, I was just curious to know what you guys think of this mixing board from the mid 80's (1985-88)- are the newer boards of today (Mackie for example) any better- especially the 4 buss output capability:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545891743&category=23785

[Steve Hoffman]

Mackie for me.

[BradOlson]

Although we can order TASCAM and Mackie, no one has requested TASCAM yet that I know of, but we have sold lots of Mackie product, especially the speakers.

[sgraham]

Steve and I are in agreement (how 'bout that!?) about the Mackie vs. Tascam.

Sorry, I don't have any spare 1/2" reels or hubs.