[Paul Stamler]

Hi folks:

A client sent me two tapes which are showing signs of sticky-shed. They are
dragging through the tape path, running slow and at uneven speed, and
occasionally (on a Revox A77) the tape sticks momentarily to the right-hand
tape guide, so it bows upward between the capstan and the guide. It's a
back-coated tape of unknown provenance; there's a label on the reel from
Maxell UD, but it's not UD, because UD wasn't back-coated. My guess is
Scotch 226 or Ampex 456, but there's really no way of knowing.

Anyway, I need to do something with these tapes, but I want to be sure it's
sticky shed (treated by baking) rather than loss of lubricant (not treated
by baking). Any suggestions for diagnosing the correct problem?

Oh, and they're 7-1/2 ips and 1/4 track, just to add to the fun.

Peace,
Paul