Reel tapes recommendations

Thanks for the tip. I recently got some tapes from ebay and it sounded like two different music pieces are being played at the same time. Is it because I am using a 4 track tape head and recording is two track?

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No,.... what you have is a condition called print-through. Somewhere in the tapes lifespan the tape was stored unevenly wound, which causes the print-through sensation you are hearing. The tape you have is ruined.
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what Mitch4t said, I got a few of those that I had to throw out. Still mad about it because one was Jeff Beck live (with Rod the Mod singing Ain't superstitous!) and I know that's gone forever...

I have quite s few r2r tapes obviusly never played. The ones I played are fine. Any suggestions as to care of the unplayed tapes. My guess is to leave them as found until
ready to play???

Two track tapes can be played on a 4 track machine but one of channels will be very weak. Best to use a two track machine to play two track tapes, like Tapeproject, Quinton and broadcast tapes. Machine's like the Technics 15xx have in addition to being two track machines, a 4 track switch. As with all aged tapes, best to clean heads very often.