TAPES.FANS

#Sony FX cassettes from 1995–1996 were likely the last ones for which the company put any thought into packaging design. Afterward, everything became simple, dull, and monotonous - and then it all came to an end.

The 1992 #Sony #Esprit series was manufactured in France for the European market. It’s quite well-known; some of the cassettes are still available for purchase, while others are impossible to find. I like the design for its simplicity, but I don’t intend to collect them.

Another cleaning cassette for my collection — this one from #Agfa Audioclean. I’d wanted one for a long time, though I hadn’t been actively searching for it. It happened to be part of a very good bundle, so I took advantage of that and kept it for myself.

This attractive #Scotch head cleaner, dating from the early 1970s, looks quite different from other cassettes. An excellent piece for a collection!

The most surprising - and most disappointing - addition to my collection. The #Scotch LN made in Italy in 1981 is likely the rarest cassette I have; imagine my dismay when the box I bought - supposedly containing a 60-minute tape - turned out to be empty.

Continuing the discussion about #Messager, I should point out this HB-X II model, which is evidently of a later date. The more elaborate packaging design and the printing on the cassette itself suggest it might be from the early 90s. Though that’s not certain. 🤔

#Konica cassettes did not hold a significant market share, yet they left a notable legacy through their original design and brand influence. A welcome addition to any collection.

And another pair, the #Scotch XS II, rounded out the model lineup in the collection. They were manufactured by #Denon (Nippon Columbia) — which is a bit unusual for 1982, given that the market was at its peak.

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It’s been a while since I added any new #Scotch cassettes to my collection. Some cost more than I’m willing to pay, while others are simply impossible to find. But new acquisitions do happen occasionally — like this 1975 Chrome tape, from the European market.

The #Maxell Wild 84 - minute version is probably the rarest variant. In a sense, this is not surprising: European users preferred 60, 90, or 120-minute tapes, while other durations were considered exotic.

The Turkish brand #RAKS is well known and has frequently appeared in photographs. In the mid-1980s, the company released the stylish "Raks`n Roll" series, featuring colorful packaging, transparent cassettes, and branded cases holding ten tapes.

I like the #TapesFans merch. I spent a long time coming up with ideas and testing things out, and finally bought a few samples. I like it. 😊🥳

Collectors are strange people who want to own strange cassettes. Like this "#Silver Crown" piece - that glassy-looking thing. It was made who-knows-where by who-knows-who, though many people consider it Japanese.

Another #Maxell cassette from the "Wild" series has been added. Some versions are common, while others are rare; this 64-minute version falls somewhere in between.

Maxell-Hitachi is one of the most famous cassette manufacturers. Maxell is arguably the leader of the two, whereas Hitachi cassettes are less well-known and were not produced as extensively. That makes them all the more pleasing to look at distinctive design and a quality product

If you are interested in the history of cassette tapes, you can read about some of the manufacturers. tapes.fans/technology/manufa…

The last #Agfa LNX dates back to 1990. This model was produced for only five years, during which time it underwent four design changes. My collection now includes two different versions of it: the 60-minute and 90-minute editions.

The understated, calm design of 1988 #TDK cassettes - a brief interlude amidst the bright, flashy, and not always aesthetic designs of the era. I came across one, so it’s going into the collection.

It seems #Fuji's marketers were the first to come up with the concept of a "car cassette." However, other companies hardly ever used that kind of positioning.