On Sat, 24 Nov 2012 16:35:30 -0800 (PST), Robert Macy
wrote:

On Nov 24, 3:27*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:
My car (built-in) tape player seems to be getting strange in its
volume. *Associated radio is fine, tape volume is down. *I thought
that I should demag the tale head. *But, the opening is only barely
big enough to insert a tape, and my 120V 60Hz demagger has a 1/2" long
tip at 1/3" diameter, affixed on the end of a tube that is at least 1"
diameter so there is no way to get the demagger tip anywhere near the
tape head. *I could maybe tape a large nail to the end of the existing
tip, and reach the vicinity of the head, but I don't think that will
so anything. *I don't know what the magnetic structure is under/inside
the head, but assume it is shaped to deliberately have flux going
outside the head. *It's not worth it to make a coil small enough to
fit into the opening. *I understand there are demagnetizing tapes
available, but I am cheap and don't want to spring for the $$ unless I
am reasonably (66+%) sure it will work.

Thoughts, ideas, polite suggestions.

loss of volume? doesn't that mean gunk building up that keeps the tape
too far away form the head? Or, mean some component is lost? like a
coupling cap that has seen better days? Or, something as simple as
one of the wiring connections in the cabling has gone high resistance.

Sadly, my favorite tapes were made during the era of poor mylar
coating and have all turned 'squeaky' and unplayable! I wish I could
have transferred them before they died, but hindsight.

Depending on your tastes, some might be available now in CD or MP3 format.
You may have to buy a lot more than what you have to get all you want. I
have a lot of old music of the 1950s to 1970s range and an interesting bit
outside that range. Not all digital yet. You know how to find me.

?-)