>>Heck, I listened to music this weekend on MWT, Sr.’s reel-to-reel player.<<
Enjoy it while you can. I came up against this with a few tapes: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=reel+squeal+binding&spell=1
Turns out open reel tapes are only good for a few decades. If you have the expensive backcoated tapes, fuggitaboutit. In my case, after playing one for about 30 seconds, my heads were all gummed up and had to be seriously cleaned.
NOS is worthless, depending on the brand.
These were from the 1960s.
Not sure what they are made out of. But stored in a constant 53 degree, medium humidity basement (which also happens to be our wine celler, which is why I know the temperature).