Anyone still use MiniDisc, DDC tape or DAT tapes?

I have a pair of Tascam DA20’s DAT players that are not operational — the tray won’t open. Normally an easy fix but the last time I looked a few years ago there was no one who was still repairing them. I thought about giving it a try myself but there’s also a ‘shedding’ problem w/ DAT tapes after about 5 years where they gum up the heads. So I wouldn’t be able to listen to any of my old tapes.

It was a lot of fun while it lasted. RIAA killed DAT but it still had a big following with tape traders. There were a few bands like the Grateful Dead that encouraged taping of their performances. The very first time I heard Dave Matthews Band was on DAT, before they had a record contract.

My DA 20’s are gathering dust. If anyone has any ideas on a good home for them I’d appreciate it.

I was a concert ‘taper’ for many years. I still have all my master DAT’s, as well as all the tapes I received in trades. Still have my whole field recording rig, too. Mics and all, including the Tascam DA-P1 and a couple Sony D8’s.  

@jriggy that is just too cool. ‘Tapers’ such as yourself are responsible for recording and preserving an incredible treasure trove of music that would otherwise be lost forever.

I got into trading a little so I could access this music that couldn’t be bought from a store. I had some friends who were really into trading and got me hooked. 
 

Have you since transferred your music off of your DAT tapes?

@rhg3 i have not. I did give some of the best recordings I pulled to a guy who uploaded them, I think. I believe a source of mine has been needed to fill the gap only once or twice.