I think _all_ of us would be interested in a picture of said
tape/box, and a discussion like this could be easily aided with
visuals. However, a listserv is not the best location for such a
presentation. Perhaps such a conversation could take place on the
AAA message board, provided any future asker has the time to take a
picture and upload it to flickr/photobucket/etc.


At 12:38 PM 2/11/2009, you wrote:
>Hi Marie,
>
>If you measure the hub diameter and the thickness of the pack, I can
>compute the tape thickness. You'll need to measure as accurately as
>possible. I measure to the nearest 0.005" (0.3 mm) to get very good
>results (I use digital calipers). I'll assume that the tape is 500 M
>in length. If you have a really accurate thickness gauge, you can
>always measure a pack of 10 tape layers directly. The overall
>thickness will at least help eliminate a few candidate brands/models
>of tape.
>
>Could you tell us more about the tape, like color of the oxide? If
>you have handled the tape, does it "feel" like a 1-mil or 1.5-mil base?
>Presumably no back-coating? Color of the base tape?
>
>I'm wondering if AT-220 is "Ampex Tape" model 220. Maybe they
>purchased bulk tape from Ampex and spooled and packaged it in
>China. If you lurk on the Ampex Listserv, one of the Ampex old-timers
>might be able to tell you if they distributed bulk tape to China.
>
>Maybe the reel itself could provide a clue? Does the reel have any
>markings? Maybe there's a hint from the shape of the reel flange
>holes or hub diameter? Is it a slotted hub?
>
>Last but not least, maybe a post to this list for native Chinese
>readers might help you locate someone who can translate the characters
>if you have a scan of the box.
>
>Eric Jacobs
>
>The Audio Archive, Inc.
>tel: 408.221.2128
>fax: 408.549.9867
>mailto:[log in to unmask]
>http://www.TheAudioArchive.com
>Disc and Tape Audio Transfer Services and Preservation Consulting
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Marie O'Connell
>Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 10:23 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Magnetic tape brand
>
>
>Hi Jeff
>
>It is 1/4" inch, polyester, and actually looks as if it has never been used
>as it is only a pancake still in its plastic bag inside the pale blue box.
>The tape measures 9 inches in diameter. I don't think it is that new, I
>would say it is possibly 20 odd years old. It has 7 chinese symbols above
>the AT-220 with the 500 M written under that. Also written on the box is
>Stereo Magnetic Tape (in English) and Made in China (in English). There is
>a doodle of a baby's face on the back of the box done in biro!! If there is
>no audio on it then the doodle, if drawn by the donor, could be the most
>important part!
>
>I know nothing about the chinese language and just jumped in with a totally
>uneducated guess, EMITAPE, only due to the 7 symbols '-)
>On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:42 AM, Jeff Willens <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > Marie,
> >
> > Anything else you can tell us about the tape? Acetate/Polyester? Is it a
> > fairly new reel?
> >
> > -Jeff Willens
> > Audio Restoration Engineer
> > VidiPax
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Marie O'Connell [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 7:55 PM
> > Subject: Magnetic tape brand
> >
> >
> > I was hoping to get some advice regarding a tape I am presently
> > accessioning. It is made in China, is a pancake only which measures 9
> > inches across, and on the box it says - Stereo Magnetic Tape, AT-220 500
>M.
> > Unfortunately the brand name itself is in Chinese, I presume. Any ideas?
> > I
> > tried googling AT-220 but no luck.
> >
> > Cheers
> > Marie
> >