If you are a collector of 2-track PlayTape cartridges, you’ll probably eventually want a PlayTape player to actually listen to your tapes. The PlayTape format only existed for a very short time in the late 1960s and it can be tough to find working players these days. But definitely not impossible – many online antiques and vintage music dealers get the occasional PlayTape player in stock and since competition is fairly low you can often pick one up for relatively cheap.
A PlayTape cartridge was like a small version of a 4-track or 8-track cartridge. It required a dedicated player, and these weren’t mass-produced, at least not for long enough to create a market glut now.
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What Type of PlayTape Player?
PlayTape players came in two basic designs, most commonly the standard variety which is the kind usually seen for sale from online vendors these days. There was also a special so-called “Hipster” version which you see less often but which can be especially collectible.
But in addition to these formats there was a third variety, even scarcer and a point of pride for anyone who is lucky enough to own one. Yes, it was possible to buy a PlayTape player for your car.
An automobile PlayTape player was an optional feature available in Volkswagens for a brief time. There were two varieties:
- Sapphire I came with a radio tuner.
- Sapphire II came without a radio tuner; it only played PlayTapes.
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Finding either of these machines now can require patience, and when one becomes available it may be priced more than the standard varieties. But think of the social benefits of installing a Sapphire PlayTape player in your car. If anyone scoffs at you or just doesn’t understand, they aren’t your friend anyway. Excise them from your life!
The Only Portable Format…?
PlayTape players and the associated tapes were actually a big hit when they were introduced since, at the time, they were the only real option for portable tape cartridges. (Cassettes were just beginning, and there were portable 4-track and 8-track machines plus some very briefly-available rivals, but PlayTapes were the smart choice.)
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Over 3,000 artists licensed their music for PlayTapes, and so of course the required players were ubiquitous. Fortunately, many of the players have survived in working order, often in the original box with manuals. Others have survived as fixer-uppers; these can provide a lot of satisfaction for anyone curious enough to crack one open and have a go at repairing it, or can be used for parts for your main unit.
Finally, as mentioned the price of a decent PlayTape player can be quite acceptable. The best place to look is online for obvious reasons. (If you’re really lucky, you may locate one in a flea market or thrift store.)
One good thing about buying a PlayTape player is that they often come with a selection of tapes, giving you an instant collection. Artists of no less stature than The Beatles had PlayTapes available. Collecting the titles can be a very rewarding pursuit in and of itself.
