Need Reel to Reel Tape Primer Sources


Where can I learn about reel to reel tapes so I can purchase intelligently blank reel to reel tapes? I've read bits and pieces about tape age, binders, sizes, thickness, Maxcell vs. Ampex vs. Scotch vs Realistic?, Regular tape vs. Chrome-magnetic, metal tape holders vs. plastic?, etc..., but no coherent explaination in one or two places that makes sense. Can anyone point a newbie in the right direction for information and grounding in this new undertaking? Or, share a few good pointers? I just bought a TEAC A 5500. Thanks.
jwong
I've been browsing on that forum but thanks for pointing me to the tape basics thread. I visited an audio repair shop today to pay a friendly visit, the owner went over a little of what is invloved in setting bias and said I could watch him do one of my decks when I was ready (he said I needed a calibration tape, a scope, an oscillator and an ac voltage meter if I wanted to do it myself). I want to make some dubs of some of the more valuable tapes I have so I can listen to them without fear of the tape breaking or other mishaps.

There was an ad on craigslist locally for an A/V company having a garage sale, one of the items they listed was a tascam br-20, I figured out the name of the company and gave them a call before the sale and it turns out they had a pair, but they wanted $1000 each, that's crazy talk. I decided to go the second day of the sale (today), the decks were very clean and the heads looked spotless with basically no wear at all. I told him I would give him $200 each and was suprised to walk out of there with the pair for $450. Listening to an early rca perez prado 2 track, sounds good. Let the sickness begin!
You will need an instruction manual for that deck in order to set bias and EQ. This is for record, no problem on playback.
I finally took the time to read the "beginners guide to tape basics" on the tape project website (as noted by Mikelavigne, thanks!). I am glad that I have been careful to not play a collection of vintage tapes I acquired and will go over each of my decks carefully inspecting the tape path components. I would highly recommend anyone interested in preserving and mainting their decks and tapes to read that thread, it is a great reference
There's a lot out there, here's just a couple for example.

http://www.digitalprosound.com/Htm/TechStuff/2000/Aug/AnalogTape.htm
http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html
I don't think the A5500 will handle the high bias tapes like 996 or Emtec 900.

There is plenty of NOS scotch 206 and 207, as well as maxell UDxl on ebay to source from.