Just realized I've been storing my tapes wrong for 15 years

I kept my cassettes flat stacked in a plastic bin in my basement and wondered why some of them started sounding warpy after a couple years. Turns out storing them flat on top of each other can mess with the tape reels over time, especially if the bin gets any heat or humidity. I switched to standing them upright like books on a shelf and it took me forever to find that out because I just assumed flat was fine. Anyone else make this mistake and have to replace a favorite tape?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jennifer7d ago

My buddy Mark did the exact same thing with his old punk and hardcore collection. He had them stacked flat in a milk crate in his garage and after a few years some of his most prized tapes like his first pressing of Minor Threat started playing all warbly. He was so mad at himself when he found out it was because of how he stored them. He ended up having to buy replacements for like four or five tapes from discogs and it cost him a bunch. Now he keeps them all upright on a bookshelf in his living room where it stays cool and dry.

karent757d ago

Has he tried just telling the tapes to "stay in tune" or does that only work on actual people? At least his garage tapes are now living their best lives on a cool bookshelf with proper posture.