Check HERE for tips on buying, selling, and collecting vintage 8-track music tapes.

Hi, Folks!

I'm Catherine from 4-a-little-lady, an active eBay 8-track store. Are you confused about the mysteries of the 8-track? If so, perhaps I can help. 

To comply with eBay size requirements this guide will be posted in sections. You are reading:

Part One: Introduction and Buying Tips.

Introduction

WARNING: 8-track music tapes are a fragile music source.  Tapes malfunctioned easily 40-years ago; tapes malfunction today. The design of the 8-track tape creates this problem.

How 8-Tracks Work: 

8-track music tapes are made of  1/4" tape that is connected into a loop by a metal tape tab called, "splicing foil". Along the length of this loop, the tape is divided into 8 stripes called "tracks". This is where the name, ' 8-Track Tape' comes from.

A plastic cartridge box holds the loop of tape around a removable wheel near the center of the container. The tape is wound in a manner that allows it to feed over the outside of the case, where your player reads two of the tracks at a time to make music.

Your player has a rounded metal part called a "head" that pushes against the exposed length of tape on the cartridge. As your machine head pushes against the tape, there is one foam pad (or two fuzzy pads) under the tape that assure a tight fit between the tape and your player head.  It is like a sandwich: player head + music tape + pad.

Your player plays the loop of tape, reading two of the eight tracks at a time until it reaches the metal "splicing foil" tab holding the loop of tape together. This foil connector tells the machine to switch to the next two tracks (called "program of music") as it goes by.

 

The Parts To Ponder

Your Areas Of Concern Include:

SPLICING FOIL

Splicing foil is a small metal tab that holds your loop of 1/4" tape together in a circle. The metal foil tells your machine what tracks to play. If your splicing foil is loose, overly scratched, or dirty your tape will malfunction. When splicing foil falls off while your tape is playing, the tape will often wrap around the inside working parts of your machine. Your splicing foil is an important part of your 8-track tape to check often, and replace as necessary.

The good news about splicing foil is that you can buy new foil on eBay!  

NOTE: Back in the days when 8-tracks were new, Wriggleys brand gum-wrappers were my splicing foil of choice. If you can't find real splicing foil, you can always experiment with light-weight aluminum paper until you find one that triggers your machine to change tracks.

 (See future upgrades for information on 8-track repair. )  

PADS

The pad (or pads) on an 8-track tape act to make a tight connection between player head + music tape + pad. Look at your cartridge where the tape is showing; you will see either one long foam pad, or two small square fuzzy pads on a piece of metal that looks like a wing. These are important! If pads are missing, or in bad shape, your tape will malfunction.

To test your foam pad, lightly touch the pad to assure that it is still tall and firm. If the pad sinks permanently at your touch, or leaves a pile of sand-sized particles where it used to be, your tape will not play.  For the most part, fuzzy pads are fine if they are still both attached to the metal wing bar.

The good news about pads is that they are easy to make, and are replaceable.

ROLLER

Hold your tape so that the cover is facing you.  Look into the top of the tape on the far right for the roller.  This roller can visually appear to be fine, while it is actually a sticky mess of tar-like goo. Touch the roller before playing any newly acquired tape. It should feel like dry, hard rubber. 

If your tape is stuck to the roller, it is trash unless you enjoy advanced tape repair. If you play a tape with a gooey roller by accident, it will coat the inside working parts of your player. You must manually clean the parts of your player before it will work properly again. Your machine when coated in goo will eat your head cleaning tape, don't try it.

(Laughing...  Yep, I've learned my gooey roller experience the hard way over the years. Always check your rollers on newly acquired tapes!)

 PLAYER HEAD

Your 8-track player head must be cleaned often. To do this you simply run a cleaning tape after every 25 or 30 hours of play time. If you have acquired a new 8-track player, always  run one of these head cleaning tapes before trying your tape collection in the machine.

Good News! Head cleaning tapes are available on eBay!

Tape Buying Tips

CONTACT SELLER FOR CONDITIONS

If you are new to 8-track music collecting, it is best to contact your seller to ask if your roller, splicing foil, and pads are in working order BEFORE buying. Most eBay stores that specialize in 8-tracks enjoy pre-sale questions.

ASK FOR "MEDIA MAIL" SHIPPING

~~~ 8-track tapes qualify for US Post Office "Media Mail" shipping rates. If saving money is a concern, look for sellers using Media Mail shipping.

COMMON MAILING PROBLEMS

~~~ Sometimes during shipping, an 8-track that your seller sends out in one piece will shake apart while traveling. Be kind to your seller when contacting them about the mishap, we all know it happens; 8-tracks are a fragile music source.

DETERMINE SELLER POLICY

~~~ Communicate with your seller about what their refund (or replacement tape) policy is before having your tapes sent. If no policy exists, you are allowed to ask for postal insurance while paying if you would like to protect your investment.

REQUEST TAPE PACKAGING

~~~ Request that your seller pack your tapes into a plastic bag before packing them into their shipping box. This keeps packing-peanut crumbs out of your tapes, and helps to keep the tiny fuzzy pads that might fall off where you can find them easily.  

NEW TAPES: A MUST!

~~~ When bringing new tapes into your collection, wipe the plastic case (and label) gently with a disinfectant to prevent any microscopic infestation from being introduced into your existing collection.  Many sellers are unaware that they need to disinfect the case for you before shipping.  I keep a container of commercially pre-dampened kitchen wipes around for this job. One wipe does about 15 tapes. Do not wipe near the exposed music tape.

(Buying tips continue at guide: Part Two "Buy")

This Guide (Part 1)  Is Under Construction

Please Check Back Again

 

(This guide is being produced by a cheery, non-professional, slightly-graying, 8-track collector who just loves her hobby. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments of encouragement. )

Everybody have a great day! Catherine from 4-a-little-lady