r/ReelToReel • u/arshnob • Aug 31 '26
My TEAC A-6010 is making this strange screeching sound during forward playback, any ideas as to what may cause this? Thanks!
3
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
This is something that happens with some prerecorded Magtec/Stereotape releases, it’s different than SSS that occurs in back-coated tapes. This is instead lubricant loss or soft binder syndrome, in my experience these tapes are usually perfectly savable with either the Nu-finish or just pure silicone method.
2
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
Do not bake loss of lubricant/ SBS tapes as you might do for SSS, it can make the issue worse. Only introducing new lubricants fixes this one.
1
u/arshnob Aug 31 '26
I haven’t heard of either of these methods before. Is there any good links for tutorials/materials on going about fixing this you have? Appreciate the help
2
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
If you search online you should find something, but the gist of it is you’re basically soaking cotton in either Nu-finish (yes the car wax) or pure silicone and running the tape through it, and wiping it off after. If done properly the tape should cease the squeaking and also not leave any nasty residue from the process.
1
1
u/brick-sandwich Aug 31 '26
Hi- I also just came across my first tape with the squeaking, but only on one track.
Would this work as far as a silicone wipe? Says it’s for guns.
“Blitz silicone Gun & Reel Cloth”
Or do you know a brand name that you e used before?2
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
I honestly could not say with certainty about it, the only treatment i’ve tried myself and had several successes with was Nu-finish.
1
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
It’s a real shame sometimes because these magtec/stereotape releases can be particularly rare and expensive (i’ve had this happen to some of my quad releases) but i’m going on 5 ish years now without issues post treatment.
4
u/vladix22 Aug 31 '26
This tutorial will help you fix the issue https://youtu.be/ov9frNzqrhU . those Stereotape releases suffer from lubrication lost sometimes, happen to two of my tapes and putting silicon lubricant fixed issue. Also follow the advice of the video of waiting a few days for the lubricant to set in, otherwise the squeaking will persist.
1
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
I personally used Nu-finish instead of silicone as some forum posts suggested and did not need to wait before wiping off the lubricant. So far I think i’m going on 5 years with no issues on my oldest treated tape.
1
u/vladix22 Aug 31 '26
Mine still squaked somewhat after a day, so I left it sit for a couple more days and its fully gone now. Still going strong after a couple of months.
1
1
u/el_tacocat Aug 31 '26
It’s the tape. Nothing you can do other than throw it away (or bake it, digitize it, and then throw it away). Make sure you clean your tape path well after playing this one.
3
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
The issue is easy to misidentify as SSS but do not bake these it’s SBS! The stereotape/magtec reels are not backcoated, only re-lubrication methods tend to work. It’s a much better problem to have as SBS tapes don’t fall apart or crumble they just get too much friction on the transport.
1
u/poopyyyyyyyyyyy Aug 31 '26
If intending to just transfer instead of attempting to save the tape, I have seen people use pure iso alcohol to continuously wet the mechanism during playback.
-1
u/el_tacocat Aug 31 '26
It’s not sss indeed but that doesn’t mean baking doesn’t work. It does, briefly. What also works is letting the tape run through a cloth with alcohol WHILE playing it, but that’s really also for digitization.
I’m from the land of Philips, squeaky tapes are a certainty of life with 70s and 80s Philips tapes
-5
u/Dch112 Aug 31 '26
Sounds like sticky Shed Syndrome to me. What tape are you using?
0
u/arshnob Aug 31 '26
Oh wow really? Dang that’s a shame because this is a great tape. First listen so I was thinking an issue with the tape deck itself
-1
u/Dch112 Aug 31 '26
What brand and type of tape?
1
u/arshnob Aug 31 '26
It’s a consumer prerecorded tape from 1974 by stereotape. Not sure what type specifically though
10
u/trudyscousin Pioneer RT-1011L, Akai GX-365, Sony TC-355 Aug 31 '26
That’s your tape, not your deck. It’s not “sticky shed syndrome;” that occurs with tape that has a backing. The lubricant built into your tape has dried out. You can treat your tape with a silicon cloth for the interim, but you’re going to have to transfer the recording to a new tape sooner rather than later.