[showtaper]

Originally Posted by mbself

I know, it is a funny image. I have reels as well, but the cassettes are the only ones with this particular sound. Obviously would have tested the process on blank or something of little value first. I think the temp most people recommend is about 135 so actually doubt it to be hot enough for any melting to occur. Especially if you protect the tape from direct heat from an oven element. Placing a baking sheat on the bottom shelf and the cassette on the top shelf should do the trick. Would probably do the same for a tape in a metal reel.

Thanx jameskg. Great info. Will save the effort then.

Your problem is more likely a bad pressure pad. These do not age well. Instead
of doing their job (helping to maintain tape to head contact) they can actually
cause the tape to skew making the sound you describe. A good double capstan
deck does the same job, making the pressure pad redundant.

I would suggest you try both of these techniques:

1) Remove the pressure pad and play the tape in a good double capstan deck.

2) Buy a new cassette tape (one held together with screws) and put the tape
you want to play in the new shell (thus having a new pressure pad).

This has worked many times for me.......