Reel-to-reel tapes: Vintage collectibles with pristine quality

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Reel-to-reel tapes
Vintage collectibles with pristine quality

FIND REEL-TO-REEL TAPES FOR SALE

When audiophile enthusiasts arose in the 1970s, it was often reel-to-reel tapes that these connoisseurs gravitated toward. Open reel tapes – like an oversized cassette with no housing – offered high-quality magnetic tape, often a quick speed of 7.5 inches per second (ips), and an impressive array of titles. Many music lovers today feel that reel-to-reel tapes were the apex of clean audiophile sound, and the tapes (as well as reel-to-reel tape players) are highly collectible vintage artifacts.

Reel-to-reel tapes came in boxes with custom art. The back would display a version of the vinyl LP’s back cover art, with credits, song titles, et cetera. The reel itself would be put onto a machine, the tape threaded through the components, and then wound around a second, empty reel as the album played. Generally, you play it through like this to hear side 1, and then reverse the tape for side 2, after which the tape ends up back on its original reel. (The original reel also usually has a custom sticker on it, with the artist, album title, songs, and timings on it.)

8-track tape cartridge repair tutorial (fully illustrated)

What reel-to-reel tapes exist?

Several famous titles from artists both major and minor had one or more of their albums released in the reel-to-reel tape format. Albums from the 1960s and, of course, the 1970s abound. There were even a few reel-to-reel tapes made of 1980s albums thanks to the efforts of mail-order clubs like Columbia House. This is the same reason that you can find hit 1980s albums on 8-track tapes, although there were even fewer titles bound for reel-to-reels made then.

See also: Reel-to-reel vintage players and recording units

When looking for reel-to-reel tapes for sale, note that there are some options these days depending on your tastes, equipment, level of interest, and intentions. It’s usually easy to find blank reel-to-reel tapes for your own home recording purposes. Blank tapes for home recorders, as well as pre-recorded albums by popular artists, are also sold in as sealed, brand-new reel tapes sometimes – usually at a higher cost and with a greater sense of excitement due to their rarity.

Quadraphonic reel-to-reel tapes were also popular, especially for the true audiophile who wanted to be surrounded by the sound. These tapes, like quad 8-track tapes, featured dedicated, special mixes to take advantage of the 4-channel technology. You’ll need a player that can handle quadraphonic (a.k.a. quadrasonic) reel tapes for these.

More on MegaMinistore: 8-track tapes: Vintage cartridge format for music lovers

Finally, you might get lucky by perusing collections of multiple reel-to-reel tapes in single collections. A large or small lot of reel-to-reel tapes can be a great way to start or build a collection, and can be very cost effective as well.

With attractive box art, an increasing rarity and value, and as representatives of some of music’s greatest moments, vintage reel-to-reel tapes are an exclusive and thrilling part of the vintage tape hobby. They’re great for display and they can be the best-sounding version of a given album, no matter what’s in your collection. 

Reel-to-reel tapes for sale

Currently showing our top 3,736 offers from eBay vendors, and our favorite 14 sales from Amazon. Click for shipping details and money-back guarantee info. Reel-to-reel tapes listings are chosen using MegaMinistore's original custom technology. We show you only the latest and best sales from safe, trusted sellers. Offers are updated and refreshed every day.

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Showing 221 - 230 of 3,750

Two-Fer How the West Won & Mutiny On Bounty Reel to Reel 3 3/4 ips 100% Tested

Seller: danonad ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (7,453 ratings)
Location: United States

$24.99

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ROBERT FROST READS HIS POETRY ~ REEL TO REEL TAPE

Seller: wood2550 ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.5% (15,236 ratings)
Location: United States

$57.99 or best offer

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Reel To Reel Tape-Martin Denny-A Taste Of Honey-Lounge/Exotica-7 1/2 Working

Seller: wood2550 ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.5% (15,236 ratings)
Location: United States

$31.99 or best offer

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RARE!!! 2 TRK RCA Divertissement - Ibert - Fiedler BPO Reel To Reel ACS-54

Seller: times*to*cherish ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (1,483 ratings)
Location: United States

$499.99

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*Rare* Reel To Reel Ted Nugent Double Live Gonzo! 4 Track 3 3/4 IPS

Seller: mauerfan06 ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (279 ratings)
Location: United States

$99.99 or best offer

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JOHNNY CASH HELLO I'M JOHNNY CASH REEL TO REEL TAPE COLUMBIA STEREO (New-sealed)

Seller: ariptotles ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (652 ratings)
Location: United States

$200.00 or best offer

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Lobo singer Rare Master Reels 2” 6 Reels Original Phil Gernhard enterprises

Seller: mena84262012 ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (1,126 ratings)
Location: United States

$1,600.00

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Grieg Peer Gynt Music for Ibsen's Dramatic Poem Unicorn UNC M 0361 Reel to Reel

Seller: fwretrotreasures ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.3% (11,647 ratings)
Location: United States

$49.72 or best offer

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VINTAGE REEL TO REEL - HUGO WOLF: Italian Serenade / Penthesilea / Vocal Works

Seller: tosess_55 ★★★★★★★★★★ 90% (86 ratings)
Location: United States

$39.50

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Reel To Reel Mountainaire 1986

Seller: justamy16 ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (147 ratings)
Location: United States

$34.00 or best offer

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