Quantegy - 031 / 7-Inch Open Reel Studio Tapes Set Reel to reel audio

The Quantegy 031 is a high-quality tape sold in lots as "Second Choice" or off-spec.

Both Ampex and Quantegy used internal nomenclature to dispose of reels from production lots that did not meet the stringent quality controls for professional mastering (the so-called non-spec or seconds tapes).

These tapes, perfectly functional and optimal for domestic or amateur use but not ideal for masters of large studios, were sold at reduced prices in anonymous white boxes or handed over to third-party distributors (such as Radio Shack or the Shamrock brand).

This 031-series tape is a low-noise, not backcoated on the rear (does not have the black backcoating), with a standard thickness of 1.5 mils, is 1/4 inch wide, wound on a 7-inch plastic core (about 18 cm in diameter) with a standard length of 1200 feet (about 360 meters).

The Quantegy 031 series does NOT suffer from Sticky-Shed Syndrome (the chemical degradation that makes tapes sticky and unusable).

The "sticky-shed" tape syndrome affects almost exclusively professional tapes with black backcoating, such as the 406, 456, or 499 series; the 031 is instead a tape with a standard glossy brown back (uncoated), the polyurethane binder is not subject to destructive hydrolysis.

Recording on new tapes is clearly much better than what can be obtained on tapes used for 40 years or more.

Please look carefully at the photos which are an integral part of the description.

I guarantee fast, trackable, and insured shipping with robust and appropriate packaging, and while, as far as possible, we want to respect the environment, we will use used boxes.

Thank you for your attention.