Maxell UD - 1977 - US
"A legend of a cassette, Maxell's 1st "Super Ferric" (not cobalt doped, but better than the basic LN at the time) from over 40 years ago. These still have their wrappers, which is quite unheard of in these days. We opened one and recorded on it...and they far better than a cassette of this age has any right to be." Tony Villa
Note 1: 46 Minutes: Original wrapper (!), with couple of blemishes (repaired). Super Rare length. See pictures. Only 1 available : This cassette, and others, have been added quietly as a small reward for those who check in often. Hidden Treasures for the regular visitor. Congratulations on finding it.
Note 2: 90 Minutes: These have no wrappers! However, they are brand new and have never been used. The J-Cards are absolutely brand new but show some light signs of aging. These will be inserted into a clean plastic wrapper. See pictures. Only 3 available
Note 3: 120 Minutes: This one single cassette has no wrapper! However, it is brand new and has never been used. The J-Card is absolutely brand new and no signs of aging. It will be inserted into a clean plastic wrapper. See pictures. SOLD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click below to watch a video by Tony Villa on a Maxell UD cassettes (1975):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yotbXJbetnk&list=PPSV
------------------------------------------------------------------------
About MAXELL:
Maxell Holdings, Ltd. (日立マクセル株式会社 Hitachi Makuseru Kabushiki-gaisha), commonly known as Maxell, is a Japanese company that manufactures consumer electronics.
Maxell, originally part of Hitachi’s corporate family, emerged in 1960 when a dry‑cell plant was established in Ibaraki, Osaka. In 1961, Hitachi consolidated its dry‑battery and magnetic‑tape operations into the new Maxell Electric Industrial Company, positioning the brand as Hitachi’s key vehicle for consumer recording media.
Throughout the cassette era, Maxell became one of the most respected tape manufacturers. Their formulations, especially the XLI-S (Normal), XLII‑S (CrO₂), and MX (pure metal particle), were widely regarded as peak‑performance examples of the Compact Cassette format, earning strong loyalty from audiophiles and home recording enthusiasts. Maxell also produced a full range of consumer and professional magnetic media, including computer and broadcast tapes, before later shifting away from in‑house optical and recording‑media production.
The company’s cultural visibility peaked in the 1980s with the “Blown Away Guy” advertising campaign, which cemented Maxell’s reputation for high‑performance audio cassettes. Even as Maxell diversified into batteries, storage, and functional materials, its cassette legacy, and its long-standing connection to Hitachi remains central to its identity.
Maxell UD - 1977 - US - Made in Japan