Magnetic tape appliance with selectably always-leading head assemblies

A tape appliance comprising:

• first and second tape guide components configured such that as the tape moves in a first direction of longitudinal tape travel along a path about the first and second guide components, and the reverse of the first direction of longitudinal tape travel, the tape path includes a first path portion between a tape supply reel and the first guide component, a second path portion between a tape take-up reel and the second guide component, and a joining path portion between the first and second guide components that joins the first and second path portions;
• a first tape head module;
• and
• a second tape head module;
• wherein:
• when the tape travel is in the first longitudinal direction, the first tape head module is positioned to engage the tape along one of the first or second tape path portions, and the second tape head module is positioned to engage the tape along the joining path portion, such that the first tape head module is the leading module;
• and
• when the tape travel is in the reverse longitudinal direction, the first tape head module is positioned to engage the tape along the other of the first or second tape path portions, and the second tape head module is positioned to engage the tape along the joining path portion, such that the first tape head module remains the leading module.