I am a stereo collector and I have found the "8 track bug" so to speak. I love the machines that play them and love the simplicity of just popping in a tape and letting it play. I have found the 8 track players to be built very well, and easy to repair when needed, and the sound quality of 8 track tapes to be as good or better than anything analogue and superior to the modern digital sound of today. So keep those 8 tracks in a good dry place for safe keeping! Those quad 8 track systems are even better.
All for nostalgia but no. They're awful, always were. Sounded terrible, splitting up the tracks, the fade out/fade in 🤦 Cassette was better but they were woeful compared to minidisc.
Over 61,000 8 track tapes. Can you imagine how long it would take to rebuild those carts with new foam and sensor foil. I have maybe 150 8 track tapes that i restored with new foam pads and sensor foil.
over 61 thousand tapes.... 61 thousand. Sixty One Thousand. My friend has just over 2000 records and it's completely ridiculous, beyond most peoples imagination... 61000 is beyond all comprehension. well done bob.
Frankly, I don't understand some of the comments below about 8 track tapes sound quality. I guess people who know nothing about a subject should not comment. I still own every 8 track tape I ever purchased, except those that flew apart, LOL. My collection of 8 track tapes numbers approximately 3,000 tapes. Because 8 track tape traveled at many times faster than audio cassette tape, it always sounded better. On my high end stereo systems, the difference was amazing. Even on cheap systems, the better sound of 8 tracks was evident. Especially when Dolby B became available on 8 tracks, that was even better, less tape hiss. And of course, analog does sound better than digital does.
Bob, what a great collection! I was similar like you. Most of my friends were a year or 2 older then me. In the late 60s they had 8-tracks. By the time I was old enough and had the money for a player, I went for the cassettes. But now, you're right... they are classy, not to mention a big part of our music media history. I just bought a player at a yardsale and will start my collection of tapes. I hope you open that museum. I'd go see it!! Thanks Bob!
I collect compact cassettes and just started a few months ago and in 6 months I went from having only one childhood tape, to probably close to 70, blank and ones I recorded myself included.
You can. There are thrift shops all over the place that sell them. Get them on ebay or whatever. Get these things now before they are all gone. It's a very cool hobby. I impress my friends all the time.
Some may look at people like this guy as being a little nuts but you know what, it sure beats being idle and causing trouble and/or shooting yourself up with harmful substances. Good for you Bob! I've got videos on my channel on how to open and fix 8-tracks if you're interested.
as this guy says in this video 8 tracks have class. They sort of have there own warmth and it's a nice additive for anyone who is into music. Sound quality is about even with cassettes but it seriously depends on what the condititon of the tape is. Yeah, in my eyes I love the format!
I have a 8 track player in my old beetle, but it is hard to get them for me, because i live in The Netherlands. 8 Tracks where never a succes in Europe, and definitely not here in NL, i think it is because the cassette tape was invented here. I have 7 tapes,but don't want to spend more on shipping costs than the tapes itself. poor me.
Has anyone ever heard of a Star-Trak Sound Conversion System ?? It's basically an 8-track cartridge that goes into a player, but has 4 quarter inch inputs for musical instruments. It will allow you to play instruments through your stereo speakers. Are these rare or valuable ??
Even though I'm not a big fan of 8-tracks, long live vinyl, cassette, CDs and MP3s/iPods! 61,837 whoa, he must like 8-tracks more than anything else in the world LOL, but you can't vinyl, can't you? CAN'T YOU?
wow! I live in Georgia & back a few years ago their was this husband & wife had this huge & I do mean huge record collection. some of the records they had were for sale & some were not.I would allmost be willing to bet money that this married couple had as many vinial records ( both Lps & 45s) that this man has 8 track tapes.
I aint got that many players and definatly not that many tapes, but i do have a reasonable collection and i must say i use them more than any other formats i have girls like them 8 tracks!
No 8 tracks don't sound like garbage they sound better and deserve to be better than the ipod.I will agree they don't sound like cds or records but they rock let's go 8 track tapes.
One thing that always intreiged me about 8tracks was that they always change the running order of the songs to fit each program perfectly and if they couldnt they'd either devide a song between 2 programs or repeat a song, sorta gives the whole album a whole new feeling. Theres a handful where the running order is just like the LP (like Paul McCartney & Wings "Band On The Run"), but mostly they' all switched around.
I still have a bunch. I took really good care of them. I have a few player/recorder units. But haven't really used it in a while now. I found that there were very few that ever sounded that good. I do have a bunch of quad ones as well, such as Zappa and Pink Floyd. But the quality is not that fantastic/ I love music, therefore I will keep them.
you would believe how many of these things are at my local classic car salvage yard. most of them are ruined from sitting in the rain for 20 something years.
Those things were tough when they first came out. They were introduced in 1965 as equipment in some 1966 cars. Before that they were installed in Lear jets. That’s probably why they started out good. I knew a man who got the first 8 track player RCA Victor made back in 1966. When I talked with him in 1979 he said that machine will outplay many of those made in most recent years. If he connect speakers to it he said it had the bass like an old jukebox.
i do not see the point. this is obsessive to the point where it could be considered a problem. point 1. 500 players!?!? what the hell. most of them are going to sit there gathering dust n not get used where they could be sold or given away to someone that would use a player. same with the tapes. i too collect 8 tracks along with CDs, cassettes, and records. i only buy with the intent on using what i buy. if i do make a blind buy at let's say a thrift store or garage sale because of a tape for a cheap price like $1 then i will see if i like it and if i don't i will give it away or sell it on ebay. basically let someone else have it that will use it. what is the point on having all these players and tapes where only a fraction will get used
You have a lot to learn, kid. Number one thing you need to learn - there are all different types of collectors out there. Those that collect to use, and those that collect to preserve from being thrown in the trash, and those that do both. I seems to me like you're taking your anger on not being able to find 8-tracks out on him. The reason you don;t find 8-tracks anymore is because Goodwill refuses to sell them, they go straight in the dumpster. And it's been 40 years now, 8-tracks are leaving a lot more houses and being pulled from their habitat so you see less and less at yard sales. If you want 8-tracks, start digging in the dumpsters behind goodwill and I will bet you'll find some. I just got a Cadillac stereo demo 8-track from Goodwill last month for 10 cents.
I don't agree with buying something to be a wall hanger, I buy what I like to listen to. Maybe a cheap box of Christmas music for doner parts other than that. I only rebuild tapes I plan on listening to, everything else sits in a tote in the basement. But to each their own, if someone wants to but something as a conversation piece then more power to them, but I got my tapes to enjoy, don't give a crap what condition the label is.
i do this, but i usually look for old radio like arnie woo woo, or dale dorman, or somthing cool. maybe som old woman jack someone tapes. Really extreemly rare ones.. or one offs..
I always had tapes and players that sounded like the tape was running really slow like it was dragging and i really hated pulling out the tape and a long stream of tape would come out of the machine. Remember quadraphonic? i never could tell the difference between regular stereo and quadraphonic. Rember the pirated 8 tracks they sold at the convenience stores for 1/4 the price the record companies wanted but the tape quality was horrible.
is it true that you cannot rewind or fast forward an 8TRACK to desired locations until the whole album ends and only then you can rewind that damn hing but only to the absolute beginning?
No. You don't need to wait until the whole album ends. It's sufficient to wait until the song ends. The songs / tracks aren't serial on the tape but parallel. You can change from one song to another at anytime. When you've heard the first half of one song you can proceed to hear the second half of any other song.
I like buying 8 tracks then fixing them and reselling them to people to enjoy again, don't even care if I make a profit, not why I do it. I am not going to bash people who like mp3 or iPods, CD's but the people that say records are better, you really like to hear static and crackling on a song when you play a used record?
Usually the people that bash 8 tracks and say they will wear out and are junk have never owned any. Same people that act like a diamond tip riding on a piece of plastic is superior and will last forever. 😂
I would like to purchase a Panasonic Model CX-807SU 8-Track under-dash player. These were made new in 1969. I would like a NOS unit if possible, but will consider any in decent physical (attractive) condition. I'll be mounting it in my restored 1968 Pontiac GTO.
hi i don't think there's 60.000 in the uk i had 10.000 once in the uk noel had 7.000 so you are safe a track fans in the uk you have to have about 10.000 to be the record for the uk i went over to 4 track carts i have 500 of them i missed out on alot maybe 1000 in a lock up in the uk someone died a left alot this is the best way to get 8 track from someone who passed away the wife of a man would love to find them a home
I wonder how many of them actually work. The foam pressure pads were really bad for rotting in most of those tapes and they would then start to mis-track and spill.
+Hammy Technoid Clunky, yes, but in their day they were essentially the only way to play back music from your own collection in your car. Ironically, the cassette is older than the 8-track, but it took a few years for cassette to be developed into a 'high fidelity' format, during which time the 8-track became entrenched. Even once the cassette gained dominance, there were millions 8-track tapes, and players in legions of used cars, older stereo equipment, and so on. And despite the derision showered on them by modern generations, one has to admit that the eight-track tape was a jewel of engineering from the analog/mechanical era.
Eight tracks lasted for years. My dad gave me his eight track collection. The tracks didn't play in order but I'm surprised they played. They should have kept the eight tracks and got rid of the cassettes. Cassettes are like clear tape. Get wrinkled and that's it.
I bought my first one (Billy Joel's "Piano Man") in 1990 at a thrift shop because by then they were so cheap; was about 25 cents. Never cared for them when they were in production; always bought vinyl (no song breaks, more pictures/extras, and yes, cheaper). First thing I noticed was the rotted foam on the Joel tape and there began the whole strategy on how to replace it; the rest is history.
Imagine how many crumbled sponges he has to replace !!!!
I bought 25 tapes and only replaced 5 pads and splicers in 3 weeks since I bought them
@@fakevideos6002 lucky!
You have to respect the dedication. Actually 8 track sound good on a decent hi fi.
A hero to all true music fans.
I am a stereo collector and I have found the "8 track bug" so to speak. I love the machines that play them and love the simplicity of just popping in a tape and letting it play. I have found the 8 track players to be built very well, and easy to repair when needed, and the sound quality of 8 track tapes to be as good or better than anything analogue and superior to the modern digital sound of today. So keep those 8 tracks in a good dry place for safe keeping! Those quad 8 track systems are even better.
Can you find 8 track tapes in the U.K. or do you have to get them off the internet?
All for nostalgia but no. They're awful, always were. Sounded terrible, splitting up the tracks, the fade out/fade in 🤦 Cassette was better but they were woeful compared to minidisc.
Over 61,000 8 track tapes. Can you imagine how long it would take to rebuild those carts with new foam and sensor foil. I have maybe 150 8 track tapes that i restored with new foam pads and sensor foil.
8 track tapes rock and are better than mp3. let's go 8 track tapes.
he's wearing something like that on his t-shirt
Bring back the 8 track!
An analog man in a digital world. I love it!!! I too love my analog music formats compared to digital files.
over 61 thousand tapes....
61 thousand.
Sixty One Thousand.
My friend has just over 2000 records and it's completely ridiculous, beyond most peoples imagination... 61000 is beyond all comprehension. well done bob.
61 is a lot lol
i love 8 tracks and replacing pads and splicers is a cool hobby.
And here I thought I had a collection with 100 tapes and 6 players...I'm not worthy !
I want.. no, I NEED to go there and buy some.
I still remember my akai 8 track hifi player. Sounds great!
THIS IS UNREAL!! I must visit his museum one day!
Frankly, I don't understand some of the comments below about 8 track tapes sound quality. I guess people who know nothing about a subject should not comment. I still own every 8 track tape I ever purchased, except those that flew apart, LOL. My collection of 8 track tapes numbers approximately 3,000 tapes.
Because 8 track tape traveled at many times faster than audio cassette tape, it always sounded better. On my high end stereo systems, the difference was amazing. Even on cheap systems, the better sound of 8 tracks was evident. Especially when Dolby B became available on 8 tracks, that was even better, less tape hiss. And of course, analog does sound better than digital does.
Bob, what a great collection! I was similar like you. Most of my friends were a year or 2 older then me. In the late 60s they had 8-tracks. By the time I was old enough and had the money for a player, I went for the cassettes. But now, you're right... they are classy, not to mention a big part of our music media history. I just bought a player at a yardsale and will start my collection of tapes. I hope you open that museum. I'd go see it!! Thanks Bob!
I collect compact cassettes and just started a few months ago and in 6 months I went from having only one childhood tape, to probably close to 70, blank and ones I recorded myself included.
Nice to save for generations to come! Kool. God Bless
I brought a 8 track recorder on E bay to try out I also brought some Blank 8 track Tapes to record on.
You can. There are thrift shops all over the place that sell them. Get them on ebay or whatever. Get these things now before they are all gone. It's a very cool hobby. I impress my friends all the time.
Some may look at people like this guy as being a little nuts but you know what, it sure beats being idle and causing trouble and/or shooting yourself up with harmful substances. Good for you Bob! I've got videos on my channel on how to open and fix 8-tracks if you're interested.
I always tell my family, it's either 8-Tracks or drugs, pick your choice.
Wish I could buy 8-tracks, and tapes, and vinyl.
as this guy says in this video 8 tracks have class. They sort of have there own warmth and it's a nice additive for anyone who is into music. Sound quality is about even with cassettes but it seriously depends on what the condititon of the tape is. Yeah, in my eyes I love the format!
WOW!!!! Very Impressive!!!!!!!!
very cool,for some reason I miss that sound,lol that warm fuzzy sound
Such a hardy format. Like Bob, I caught the 8-track bug. It's a nostalgia rush plus I enjoy getting the autographed.
Hoarders packs junk, rubbish dust and bacterias. This guy collects history...
I've got some serious catching up to do. I only have about 17000.
Your almost there
master!
He has more 8 tracks than I do records, cassettes or compact discs.
I've got to meet this guy.
8 track is the best
I have a 8 track player in my old beetle, but it is hard to get them for me, because i live in The Netherlands.
8 Tracks where never a succes in Europe, and definitely not here in NL, i think it is because the cassette tape was invented here.
I have 7 tapes,but don't want to spend more on shipping costs than the tapes itself.
poor me.
Has anyone ever heard of a Star-Trak Sound Conversion System ?? It's basically an 8-track cartridge that goes into a player, but has 4 quarter inch inputs for musical instruments. It will allow you to play instruments through your stereo speakers. Are these rare or valuable ??
How many are Quad Q8 8 Tracks?
Even though I'm not a big fan of 8-tracks, long live vinyl, cassette, CDs and MP3s/iPods! 61,837 whoa, he must like 8-tracks more than anything else in the world LOL, but you can't vinyl, can't you?
CAN'T YOU?
U must be new, nobody i know ever called records, vinyl
How did this gentleman Bob end up with so many 8-track tapes & 8-track players?
Bob......START A RADIO STATION!!!!!!
analog > digital
this is wicked!!
wow! I live in Georgia & back a few years ago their was this husband & wife had this huge & I do mean huge record collection. some of the records they had were for sale & some were not.I would allmost be willing to bet money that this married couple had as many vinial records ( both Lps & 45s) that this man has 8 track tapes.
Awesome!
I aint got that many players and definatly not that many tapes, but i do have a reasonable collection and i must say i use them more than any other formats i have girls like them 8 tracks!
I saw an 8-track player at a flea market, but it didn't have any tapes, so I made the dumb decision of not buying it.
I feel bad for you, find a band you like on 8 track and get it on ebay, its worth the wait bro
No 8 tracks don't sound like garbage they sound better and deserve to be better than the ipod.I will agree they don't sound like cds or records but they rock let's go 8 track tapes.
Cool
Wow! I have the Bee Gees and got done listening to it! Weird!
Whoa, wild!!!!!!!
I envy this man
My first car a Honda Civic had an 8 track tape player. Good times!!
I only have about 100 or so....
I,m with you Man :) QC
8 track tapes were before my time. I was born in 1982, I only go as far back as compact cassettes.
One thing that always intreiged me about 8tracks was that they always change the running order of the songs to fit each program perfectly and if they couldnt they'd either devide a song between 2 programs or repeat a song, sorta gives the whole album a whole new feeling. Theres a handful where the running order is just like the LP (like Paul McCartney & Wings "Band On The Run"), but mostly they' all switched around.
I still have a bunch. I took really good care of them. I have a few player/recorder units. But haven't really used it in a while now. I found that there were very few that ever sounded that good. I do have a bunch of quad ones as well, such as Zappa and Pink Floyd. But the quality is not that fantastic/ I love music, therefore I will keep them.
Cool,
bunnyhead71 If you want to sell your quads let me know.
you would believe how many of these things are at my local classic car salvage yard. most of them are ruined from sitting in the rain for 20 something years.
Sad.
stuff is getting harder to find since so many people tossed them out id say rarer then records or cassestes
looking to hear an 8 track from 1977-79 titled Emotion anybody know it?
8 track tapes > vinyl records
Those things were tough when they first came out. They were introduced in 1965 as equipment in some 1966 cars. Before that they were installed in Lear jets. That’s probably why they started out good. I knew a man who got the first 8 track player RCA Victor made back in 1966. When I talked with him in 1979 he said that machine will outplay many of those made in most recent years. If he connect speakers to it he said it had the bass like an old jukebox.
When i was a kid my dad would play fiddler on the roof sound track
... enjoy this video very much indeed...have about 2,000 tapes and approximately a dozen tape players.
THIS IS one of MY GOALs SOMEDAY,.,
No. Not even in Western Europe where they are a curiosity. I do have some and I have to explain to peoples what is an 8 track, and how it works...
I need a 8 track desktop player that will hook up to my sound system. Anybody got one they want to part with?? (Must Work)
Dang he got a whole radio station worth
Dude, goodwill check it out :)
i do not see the point. this is obsessive to the point where it could be considered a problem. point 1. 500 players!?!? what the hell. most of them are going to sit there gathering dust n not get used where they could be sold or given away to someone that would use a player. same with the tapes. i too collect 8 tracks along with CDs, cassettes, and records. i only buy with the intent on using what i buy. if i do make a blind buy at let's say a thrift store or garage sale because of a tape for a cheap price like $1 then i will see if i like it and if i don't i will give it away or sell it on ebay. basically let someone else have it that will use it. what is the point on having all these players and tapes where only a fraction will get used
You have a lot to learn, kid. Number one thing you need to learn - there are all different types of collectors out there. Those that collect to use, and those that collect to preserve from being thrown in the trash, and those that do both. I seems to me like you're taking your anger on not being able to find 8-tracks out on him. The reason you don;t find 8-tracks anymore is because Goodwill refuses to sell them, they go straight in the dumpster. And it's been 40 years now, 8-tracks are leaving a lot more houses and being pulled from their habitat so you see less and less at yard sales.
If you want 8-tracks, start digging in the dumpsters behind goodwill and I will bet you'll find some.
I just got a Cadillac stereo demo 8-track from Goodwill last month for 10 cents.
Right. Just setting there. He doesn't have time to listen to all of them and different players.
Someone's jealous
I don't agree with buying something to be a wall hanger, I buy what I like to listen to. Maybe a cheap box of Christmas music for doner parts other than that. I only rebuild tapes I plan on listening to, everything else sits in a tote in the basement. But to each their own, if someone wants to but something as a conversation piece then more power to them, but I got my tapes to enjoy, don't give a crap what condition the label is.
nice yolo
レコード盤と同じ仲間です。❤❤❤
Those AMPEX 8 track tapes from the early 70's sound like FARTS when played!!!!
i do this, but i usually look for old radio like arnie woo woo, or dale dorman, or somthing cool. maybe som old woman jack someone tapes. Really extreemly rare ones.. or one offs..
I always had tapes and players that sounded like the tape was running really slow like it was dragging
and i really hated pulling out the tape and a long stream of tape would come out of the machine.
Remember quadraphonic? i never could tell the difference between regular stereo and quadraphonic.
Rember the pirated 8 tracks they sold at the convenience stores for 1/4 the price the record companies wanted
but the tape quality was horrible.
I have a few of these "Gas Station" tapes. Really muffled and janky looking ones, for sure.
Can you have too much music? Yes, yes you definatly can.
is it true that you cannot rewind or fast forward an 8TRACK to desired locations until the whole album ends and only then you can rewind that damn hing but only to the absolute beginning?
No. You don't need to wait until the whole album ends. It's sufficient to wait until the song ends. The songs / tracks aren't serial on the tape but parallel. You can change from one song to another at anytime. When you've heard the first half of one song you can proceed to hear the second half of any other song.
@@stereobrowser
thanks for the info man :-)
Did they sell 8 Track Tapes in the Soviet Union ?
they should have the sound of a cookoo clock going off in the background whenever they do stories like this.
I like buying 8 tracks then fixing them and reselling them to people to enjoy again, don't even care if I make a profit, not why I do it. I am not going to bash people who like mp3 or iPods, CD's but the people that say records are better, you really like to hear static and crackling on a song when you play a used record?
Usually the people that bash 8 tracks and say they will wear out and are junk have never owned any. Same people that act like a diamond tip riding on a piece of plastic is superior and will last forever. 😂
@Vinylrecordsneverdie you got that right!
8 tracks were fine until 1/2 your favorite song was on program 2 & the other 1/2 was on program 3!
Oh the humanity!! 😂😂😂
I would like to purchase a Panasonic Model CX-807SU 8-Track under-dash player. These were made new in 1969. I would like a NOS unit if possible, but will consider any in decent physical (attractive) condition. I'll be mounting it in my restored 1968 Pontiac GTO.
Can anyone point me to someone who might have one? Thank you.
hi i don't think there's 60.000 in the uk i had 10.000 once in the uk noel had 7.000 so you are safe a track fans in the uk
you have to have about 10.000 to be the record for the uk i went over to 4 track carts i have 500 of them i missed out
on alot maybe 1000 in a lock up in the uk someone died a left alot this is the best way to get 8 track from someone who passed away
the wife of a man would love to find them a home
This is more like hoarding than collecting. Save some for the rest of the "real" collectors!
I get them to enjoy and listen to them, I don't care if the label is hardly legible. Keeping them as wall hangers is just a waste.
I wonder how many of them actually work. The foam pressure pads were really bad for rotting in most of those tapes and they would then start to mis-track and spill.
At 8 track shack they sell replacement pressure pads to replace them
whats that song called at 0:22
Mehdi Saad She's Got You by Patsy Cline.
***** Oh thanks.
Got Ramones road to ruin ?
Good Lord!
And yet they were so clunky...
+Hammy Technoid Clunky, yes, but in their day they were essentially the only way to play back music from your own collection in your car. Ironically, the cassette is older than the 8-track, but it took a few years for cassette to be developed into a 'high fidelity' format, during which time the 8-track became entrenched. Even once the cassette gained dominance, there were millions 8-track tapes, and players in legions of used cars, older stereo equipment, and so on. And despite the derision showered on them by modern generations, one has to admit that the eight-track tape was a jewel of engineering from the analog/mechanical era.
i have alot and im 13 see my videos i have crap loads of 8 tracks =)
I think its funny how they give him grief for living in an Ipod world, now Ipods are out dated.
Here’s the question: How many has he recorded himself?
do you have them snap? i know where you can get them repaired...by mail order...
OCD at it's finest 😅 (worst)
Toda esa coleccion cabria perfectamente en una memoria de USB.
Aaaaanndddd... an iPod can store every single one of those in the palm of your hand.
I cannot find my 8-tracks but still have the player?
Eight tracks lasted for years. My dad gave me his eight track collection. The tracks didn't play in order but I'm surprised they played. They should have kept the eight tracks and got rid of the cassettes. Cassettes are like clear tape. Get wrinkled and that's it.
ok
I bought my first one (Billy Joel's "Piano Man") in 1990 at a thrift shop because by then they were so cheap; was about 25 cents. Never cared for them when they were in production; always bought vinyl (no song breaks, more pictures/extras, and yes, cheaper). First thing I noticed was the rotted foam on the Joel tape and there began the whole strategy on how to replace it; the rest is history.
@waukee: How much did an 8-track cost in 1980?
I know an LP or cassette was $8.00 in the Caribbean, which was where I lived.
I call bullshit. NO way he has every 8 track tape ever.
I couldn't stand 8 Tracks.I like records and Mp3's.