Digital BW, The Print

I have an Epson 1290 (the same printer as the 1280 in the US 
as I understand matters) through which I am running Lyson 
Quad (or Hex) Black Inks.  So far I am still new to this and 
experimenting but to date I have run some 150 plus prints 
through the printer without technical printer problems (lets leave 
aside other problems for the moment).  Suddenly however I have 
found that the printer is producing white lines running 
horizontally across the print.  These are very visible and spaced 
approx 1/16th of an inch apart.  I tried cleaning the heads with no 
effect.

Is this what is referred to as banding and  can I do anything 
about it?  I have absolutely no idea what lies beneath the cover of 
the printer so if anyone suggests cleaning heads, rollers etc. 
could they also please describe what I should do and what 
these mysterious things are in graphic terms that a complete 
idiot could understand and identify?

Many thanks for any help.

Philip Flower