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.)

More: 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.

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

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.

Reel-to-reel vintage players and recording units

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

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Showing 391 - 400 of 3,894

SCOTCH 966 4A 10.5" METAL REEL TO USED BLANK TAPE RECORDER PART RADIO 1/4 RARE

Seller: bird-dogmusic ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.8% (31,420 ratings)
Location: United States

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$81.23
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SCOTCH 966 17A 10.5" METAL REEL TO USED BLANK TAPE RECORDER PART RADIO 1/4 RARE

Seller: bird-dogmusic ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.8% (31,420 ratings)
Location: United States

20% OFF
$81.23
$64.98 or best offer

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Aretha Franklin Aretha's Gold Reel to Reel Tape Atlantic X 8227 - 3-3/4 IPS

Seller: galleryoftheplanets ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.9% (6,245 ratings)
Location: United States

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$39.96

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Johnny Cash-At San Quentin,​ Reel-to-reel tape; Columbia HC 1162,​ 3-3/4 ips

Seller: rhorbinski32012 ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.4% (6,793 ratings)
Location: United States

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$25.00
$20.00 or best offer

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Beethoven Reel 7.0 Emperor Concerto Fleisher Szell Epic EC 817

Seller: marbleking ★★★★★★★★★★ 98.7% (1,586 ratings)
Location: United States

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REEL TO REEL TAPE RADIO PROMO MUSIC for VIDEO DataSport Communications Workshop

Seller: bluemoon-half ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.8% (36,938 ratings)
Location: United States

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REEL TO REEL TAPE: Sound Effects Vol. 2 Radio Station Thrills TAPED SCOTCH TAPE

Seller: bluemoon-half ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.8% (36,938 ratings)
Location: United States

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REEL TO REEL TAPE RADIO PROMO Communications Workshop ALLERGY ALERT TONE MIX

Seller: bluemoon-half ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.8% (36,938 ratings)
Location: United States

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REEL TO REEL TAPE 30 Piano Masterpieces - Columbia House

Seller: bluemoon-half ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.8% (36,938 ratings)
Location: United States

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$11.95
$9.56

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Eydie Gorme & The Trio Los Panchos Reel to Reel Tape CQ793 7 1/2 IPS

Seller: amcasa_28 ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (662 ratings)
Location: United States

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$64.99
$51.99 or best offer

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