Mary Jean,

You are welcome! One thing you can do is prioritize based on the notes
on the boxes/reels. Hopefully, there is some "metadata" on the tapes so
you can start guessing (at least) what is on them.

Cheers,

Richard




On 7/19/2016 5:49 PM, Mary Jean Collins wrote:
> Hey Richard. Thank you for that insight. I have been trying to play them
> on the old recorder and I'll stop now. You are exactly right that I am
> trying to figure out what I want to keep by listening to them but that
> might not be the best way to proceed. Especially the ones that are the
> most precious, I should probably go right to digitize.
>
> Mary Jean
>
> On Tue, Jul 19, 2016 at 5:42 PM, Richard L. Hess <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi, Mary Jean,
>>
>> Welcome to ARSCLIST.
>>
>> Servicing a consumer portable recorder that is 50 years old is a challenge.
>>
>> Some things to consider about tape recorders from that era:
>>
>> (1) All of the components are againg and some/many are difficult to obtain.
>>
>> (2) Recorders of that era almost invariably recorded better than they
>> played back.
>>
>> (3) There are some failure modes that can end up irreparably damaging the
>> magnetic record on your tapes.
>>
>> (4) There are some failure modes that can physically damage the tape.
>>
>> If you value these tapes and you think their contents are of value and
>> that they might have been well recorded, I would suggest either obtaining a
>> better machine to play them back or asking someone to digitize them who is
>> in the business.
>>
>> This is a difficult "catch 22" if you wish to play the tapes on the old
>> machine to determine which tapes are worthy of professional transfer, the
>> sound may be degraded by that selection process on the old machine.
>>
>> I will admit to being in the business of doing such professional
>> transfers, but there are many on this list who might be able to assist you.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Richard
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 7/19/2016 4:01 PM, Mary Jean Collins wrote:
>>
>>> Hello:
>>>
>>> I have a Roberts 6000, reel-to-reel portable tape recorder. It is not
>>> working properly. I have many tapes that are close to 50 years old that I
>>> want to play. I live in Washington DC. anyone on list who can help me
>>> out?
>>>
>>> List was recommended by someone at LOC
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Mary Jean Collins
>>>
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>> 202-531-4347
>>>
>>> --
>> Richard L. Hess email: [log in to unmask]
>> Aurora, Ontario, Canada 647 479 2800
>> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
>> Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.
>>
>
>
>
--
Richard L. Hess email: [log in to unmask]
Aurora, Ontario, Canada 647 479 2800
http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.