Evaluating heads

Tape Trail

Reel to reel, cassette and other analogue tape formats.

Hi guys and gals.
When looking at a tape head how do you determine where it falls within the range of conditions one might find? Obviously if you cannot see any wear at all it is "like new", and if it is worn through with wires sticking out it is "shot" (and then some)!
But how much wear is acceptable? (I know, it's a personal thing). If I can bearly see a little groove at one side and can feel it with my fingernail, is that considered "light wear"? If there are noticeable grooves all across the surface where the tape runs, is that "badly worn"?
Or better yet, anybody in Atlanta who could show me some examples?
Gary

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Topic - Evaluating heads - BofService 19:26:01 01/23/06 (3)

Re: Evaluating heads - Bill Thomas 10:03:23 01/25/06 (0)

Re: Evaluating heads - stellavox 06:30:08 01/24/06 (1)

Re: Evaluating heads - test equipment? - BofService 07:45:15 01/25/06 (0)

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