G'day Bobert,

If you look at my posts above ... and those of:

GUEST, Intuitive Audio, on Date: 16 Jan 11 - 07:55 AM

and those of:

GUEST,JM - PM
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 06:37 AM (et al)

you see there is a specific problem with "high-grade studio (master) tapes" of the late '70s and early '80s. the tape coating can have hydrolised ... stuck together ... and if you " run 'um back and forth on fast forward" ... even once (without having an expert technician bake / or clear them - you may destroy them!

Mine were studio masters for an older 'tape set' that I re-formatted and released in CD form. had I followed the advice you give, above, they would have been destroyed.

BUT: Only those expensive, top-grade "Studio Master Grade" tapes!

Regard(les)s,

Bob