Reel to Reel How To?

[JoeM]

How old is the tape? You may need to bake it first to prevent large amounts of shedding and oxide caking up on your heads, capstan, pinch roller and guides. The tape should have been stored tails out. If it hasn't and you find you can play it you may find it has print through. If you don't bake it and decide you want to gamble and try to play it, see if it has a slow rewind or packing speed. If so, first put the tape on the right take up reel, thread properly ( flip it over from what it is now) and rewind very slowly. If you see a lot of oxide on guides, heads and rollers stop. If it sticks or snaps stop (obviously) clean all parts that contact the tape with 99% isopropyl alcohol except the rubber on the capstan and pinch roller which should be cleaned with a proper rubber cleaner. ( you can use alcohol in a pinch but it will ruin the rubber if done continually).

There's plenty of info on the web that you can google for what I mentioned. Good luck!