At launch, the 8-track retailed for $30, nearly three times the cost of the CD and $10 more than the vinyl edition. Today it’s worth around $100. This rare double-play 8-track was released alongside the vinyl edition in 1969.
Can you still get 8-track players?
However, there are no 8-track players being produced today. The closest you can get is a refurbished version of the iconic Panasonic RQ-830S Dynamite TNT player, available on eBay for around $250.
How much did an 8-track cost?
And these tape decks weren’t cheap. In the late 1970s, a Pioneer 8-track/FM player cost about $200. That’s about $800 in today’s money. The tape player was frequently worth more than the Chevy Nova that surrounded it.
Are 8-tracks obsolete?
By the early 1980s, advances in tape technology and noise reduction made the even smaller compact cassette the system of choice and by 1983, record labels ceased production of pre-recorded 8-track tapes altogether. Today, the adjective “8-track” is synonymous with “quickly obsolete“.
Whats older 8-track or vinyl?
The compact cassette tape is older than the 8 track tape, but both were introduced to the US market around the same time. The cassette tape was invented in 1962 by Phillips’ Belgium team, introduced to the European market in 1963, and came to America in November of 1964.
Why is cassette better than 8-track?
“The cassette surpassed the 8-track because of its mobility and also its fidelity,” he says. “There was less cramming of music onto the tape, and they were smaller and easier to carry.” That mobility was increased as boomboxes and other portable cassette players like the Sony Walkman were introduced.
Are cassette tapes worth anything?
It may seem messed up, but a quality, brand-name cassette tape for home recording may be worth more than the average commercially produced pre-recorded tape today. Blank, unused cassette tapes aren’t worth much, but they also aren’t worthless. Depending on the quality of tape, they can be worth a few dollars.
What was the last 8-track made?
Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits is probably the last album commercially released on 8-Track. While it is not a certainty, most collectors claim that Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits compilation in 1988 was the final commercially released 8-Track.
Was there a 4-track player?
Music was released on 4-track tape for automobile enjoyment and later for home use. Muntz manufactured 4-track tape players and pre-recorded 4-track cartridges until approximately late 1970, by which time the Stereo 8 8-track tape had become the dominant format.
Why is it called 8-track?
They are called 8-track tapes because each of the four programs is comprised of two tracks playing simultaneously to provide stereo sound. Though less popular, there were also 4-track stereo tapes with two programs in the 1960s.
Are 8-track tapes coming back?
Vinyl and cassettes still have significance in the music market, but 8-tracks remain completely obsolete ever since broadcast stations removed the tapes from their recordings.
When did 8-tracks go out of style?
In the U.S., eight-track cartridges were phased out of retail stores in late 1982 and early 1983. However, some titles were still available as eight-track tapes through Columbia House and RCA (BMG) Music Service Record Clubs until late 1988.
How long will a cassette tape last?
When properly cared for, your audio cassette tapes have a lifespan of 30 years. However, many factors can shorten that lifespan considerably. By this time, you’ve probably done the math. It has been almost 40 years which means your cassette tapes could be at risk!
When were 8-track players put in cars?
In September 1965, Ford Motor Company offered 8-track players as an option in their 1966 model cars. A Ford spokesperson reported that 65,000 players were installed in the first year. As a result of the popularity, the 8-track player soon became standard in all Ford cars.
Do they still sell cassette players?
Yes! Many manufacturers are still producing cassette tape players today, both portable and stationary. You can choose from different brands and models if you buy online.
Is vinyl records coming back?
Continuing one of the more surprising comebacks of the digital age, vinyl album sales in the United States have grown for the 16th consecutive year. And not only that, LP sales jumped by more than 50 percent in 2021, surpassing both digital and CD album sales.
References:
- https://www.startribune.com/sound-advice-fan-needs-to-track-down-an-8-track-tape-player/573212611/
- https://www.northjersey.com/story/life/columnists/2017/12/06/when-8-track-tape-cartridges-ruled-our-lives/919588001/
- https://www.techtarget.com/searchstorage/definition/8-track-tape
- https://legacybox.com/blogs/analog/which-is-older-8-track-or-cassette
- https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/02/17/133692586/8-track-tapes-belong-in-a-museum
- https://dfarq.homeip.net/are-cassette-tapes-worth-anything/
- https://www.metv.com/lists/8-facts-you-probably-forgot-about-8-tracks
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo-Pak
- https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/8-track-tapes
- https://legacybox.com/blogs/analog/when-did-cassette-tapes-replace-8-track
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-track_tape
- https://southtree.com/blogs/artifact/how-long-can-you-expect-cassette-tapes-tp-last
- https://hchm.org/8-track-tapes/
- https://kodakdigitizing.com/blogs/news/are-cassette-players-still-available
- https://www.statista.com/chart/7699/lp-sales-in-the-united-states/