Revox B77 clear leader tape. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Kentode · 11th Dec 2022, 5:41 pm

Merry Christmas!

I've not been posting recently (although I read the forum from top to bottom every day) due to the coming holiday, but I'd like to ask a couple of questions concerning my recently purchased and fully professionally restored B77.

On fast forward or rewind (which is frighteningly fast!

) there is an auto-stop function via an infrared sensor.

I think that Ben suggested a certain length of clear leader tape to prevent the end of the tape from unspooling at full tilt but l can't find the thread.

Secondly, l'm looking for a UK supplier of clear 1/4" leader tape, or is there a coloured tape which works with the sensor?

Kentode · 11th Dec 2022, 5:49 pm

Forgot to add pictures!

DMcMahon · 11th Dec 2022, 5:59 pm

I think this is the Thread you reference.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=196222

David

Kentode · 11th Dec 2022, 6:10 pm

Thanks David, that's the one! So, approximately 3 to 4 feet to prevent unspooling. I should have mentioned that all my recordings will be at the lower speed of 3 3/4 IPS, although I appreciate that this has no bearing on the FF/RW.

Tim · 11th Dec 2022, 6:18 pm

I have used the BASF red leader successfully with a B77, it is transparent( or at least used to be)enough for the IR.

Kentode · 11th Dec 2022, 6:31 pm

Thanks Tim, somewhere on the tinterweb I read that the coloured part of a coloured tape could be removed by applying sellotape (TM) to the dull side , but I don't really fancy trying to apply 3 feet of sticky tape to another tape and then ripping it off! I can imagine filling out the A and E form - "Describe how the accident happened"!

ben · 11th Dec 2022, 9:07 pm

You only need about six inches of clear leader in between the tape and the coloured leader to activate this auto stop. In any case, my B77 tends to see most leader tapes as transparent, especially the AGFA ones. So you should try those before splashing out on the less common clear stuff.

Tim · 11th Dec 2022, 10:36 pm

That’s why we used to use yellow leader to divide sections of tape. The yellow leader we had was opaque.

Kentode · 11th Dec 2022, 11:05 pm

Cheers Ben and Tim, you've put my mind at rest. I'm going to purchase some white leader tape to go before my green/red end-of-tape spools.

In my exuberance l may have missed the specification for FF/RW, but it feels quite fierce. At full chat, what am I privy to?

Tim · 12th Dec 2022, 12:20 am

Actually it could well have been AGFA. Next time I'm in the loft I'll have a look.

Welsh Anorak · 12th Dec 2022, 1:28 pm

ISTR some engineers using acetone (or similar toxic substance) to remove the first few inches of oxide from the tape post-leader to assist the auto-stop.

Restoration73 · 12th Dec 2022, 1:42 pm

Look for "Revox language laboratory leader tape" online (it is transparent)

11th Dec 2022, 5:41 pm	#1
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Revox B77 clear leader tape. Merry Christmas! I've not been posting recently (although I read the forum from top to bottom every day) due to the coming holiday, but I'd like to ask a couple of questions concerning my recently purchased and fully professionally restored B77. On fast forward or rewind (which is frighteningly fast! ) there is an auto-stop function via an infrared sensor. I think that Ben suggested a certain length of clear leader tape to prevent the end of the tape from unspooling at full tilt but l can't find the thread. Secondly, l'm looking for a UK supplier of clear 1/4" leader tape, or is there a coloured tape which works with the sensor? __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

11th Dec 2022, 5:49 pm	#2
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. Forgot to add pictures! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

11th Dec 2022, 5:59 pm	#3
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,603	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. I think this is the Thread you reference. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=196222 David

11th Dec 2022, 6:10 pm	#4
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. Thanks David, that's the one! So, approximately 3 to 4 feet to prevent unspooling. I should have mentioned that all my recordings will be at the lower speed of 3 3/4 IPS, although I appreciate that this has no bearing on the FF/RW. __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

11th Dec 2022, 6:18 pm	#5
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. I have used the BASF red leader successfully with a B77, it is transparent( or at least used to be)enough for the IR. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

11th Dec 2022, 6:31 pm	#6
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. Thanks Tim, somewhere on the tinterweb I read that the coloured part of a coloured tape could be removed by applying sellotape (TM) to the dull side , but I don't really fancy trying to apply 3 feet of sticky tape to another tape and then ripping it off! I can imagine filling out the A and E form - "Describe how the accident happened"! __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

11th Dec 2022, 9:07 pm	#7
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. You only need about six inches of clear leader in between the tape and the coloured leader to activate this auto stop. In any case, my B77 tends to see most leader tapes as transparent, especially the AGFA ones. So you should try those before splashing out on the less common clear stuff. __________________ Regards, Ben.

11th Dec 2022, 10:36 pm	#8
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. That’s why we used to use yellow leader to divide sections of tape. The yellow leader we had was opaque. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

11th Dec 2022, 11:05 pm	#9
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. Cheers Ben and Tim, you've put my mind at rest. I'm going to purchase some white leader tape to go before my green/red end-of-tape spools. In my exuberance l may have missed the specification for FF/RW, but it feels quite fierce. At full chat, what am I privy to? __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

12th Dec 2022, 12:20 am	#10
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. Actually it could well have been AGFA. Next time I'm in the loft I'll have a look. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

12th Dec 2022, 1:28 pm	#11
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. ISTR some engineers using acetone (or similar toxic substance) to remove the first few inches of oxide from the tape post-leader to assist the auto-stop. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

12th Dec 2022, 1:42 pm	#12
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Revox B77 clear leader tape. Look for "Revox language laboratory leader tape" online (it is transparent)