How to Care for Cassette Tapes & Players
Everything you need to know to properly care for your cassette player and tape collection at home.
For some cassette collectors, the thrill of finding unreleased bedroom demos is what keeps them hooked. For others, it’s the joy of mixtapes from days past that pull them back to their youth. And then there are those who collect cassettes simply because they love the format’s size and portability. While the reasons for collecting cassettes may be diverse, one thing that doesn’t change is the care that should be taken with cassette tapes and players to keep them in fantastic sounding shape.
One of the primary reasons for a cassette’s demise is a playback system that hasn’t been properly cared for. We’ve all seen a cassette chewed up by a player, which was usually blamed on the tape itself. However, a well-serviced cassette player can function flawlessly and sound great, especially when paired with a tape that matches its playback features. A poorly maintained cassette player has little hope of sounding good no matter the cassette quality.
Since cassette players contain complex mechanics, there may be a few issues that arise over time. It’s always best to leave major repairs to a qualified technician who knows the ins and outs of the device, but there are several things you can do at home to maintain your cassette player and tape collection.
Clean cassette playback heads
Cassette playback heads are easily accessible and can be kept clean with 91% (or higher) isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. Simply moisten the swab, then use it to gently rub away any grime that may have built up on the playback heads.
Keep cassette player belts in use
If you have a cassette player that hasn’t been used in a while, there’s a chance that the belts have dried out and become frail, turned to goo, or have stretched out over time. Belts are generally considered to be the most perishable part of a cassette player and need to be replaced periodically to keep playback speeds consistent. If you aren’t using the unit regularly, give it a play occasionally to keep the belts moving and flexible. However, if you’re using a player with a direct drive system, it is safest to get an experienced technician to service your cassette player.
Clean pinch rollers
Pinch rollers can be cleaned with naphtha — a liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a solvent — and a cotton swab. Though you might be tempted to use isopropyl alcohol to clean your pinch rollers, avoid it as this can cause the rollers to dry out and become brittle.
Ensure cassette tapes are clean
A dirty cassette tape can put heavy wear on the playback heads, undoing all the work you’ve put into keeping your cassette player clean and functioning properly. Low quality cassettes have also been known to put extra wear on playback heads, so try and stay away from poor quality tapes — your player and your ears will thank you.
Demagnetize cassette decks
A cassette demagnetizer is a device that removes the magnetic field that builds up from the use of cassette tapes in a deck. They come in a variety of forms, but the cassette style units are easiest to use. It’s recommended that you demagnetize playback heads after 40 hours of use, but you may wish to do this sooner especially if you use your tape deck to record.
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