Scotch 206 is a classic master tape formulation introduced in 1969 and was highly regarded in the early 1970s. It is classified as a type 3 – Low Noise, High Output tape.  The 206 is the Standard Play (SP) version used for mastering. Many of the world’s most famous recordings from the early 1970s were made on Scotch 206 and many classic machines were calibrated to this tape. This is one of the rare back-coated tapes that has held up well and can be used today. Update 4/2025 – there are batches that suffer from various problems which will be listed below. 

Notes:

• Performance is high, especially at 7-1/2 and 15 ips.
• There are some reports of edge oxide shedding with examples that have not been stored properly.
• Unlike other back-coated tapes from the 1970s and 1980s, this one is not subject to sticky shed.
• Tapes of this vintage have a tendency to shed slightly more oxide more than most modern tapes. This is not a sign that this tape is degrading, it should be considered normal.
• The general quality of these tapes is very high.
• New advice 7/2023: Some improperly stored batches of 206/207/208/209 suffer from sudden binder failure. If you encounter such tapes be careful not to play them on a machine that puts the tape into tension to establish tape to head contact – the oxide will flake off. in 2025 I was able to reconstitute water damaged 206s that were caked with mineral deposits by immersing the tapes in white vinegar for 4 days and then baking them to dry the vinegar. 
• New advice 4/2025: This formulation was also produced in Italy as well as Japan. Some of the Japanese lots suffer from white powder syndrome, others have sudden binder failure, and further lots had sticky-shed syndrome. It’s best to check the tapes you have. Most of the US consumer 206s appear to be fine. No problems were found with Italian lots to date. 
• In Japan a later version of this tape with a similar formulation was sold under the formula code JMT-3100.
• Available Refurbished: Yes, we sell the 206 as refurbished.