Vinyl maintenance - Advice needed

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

I have just been given a very nice vinyl collection that has some great original LPs in it such as "Piper at the gates of dawn", "Abbey Road" etc etc (you get the idea). Now, where I'm only in my early 20s, I haven't really grown up with vinyl and have really no idea how to look after it properly.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[ericofarabia]

I have just been given a very nice vinyl collection that has some great original LPs in it such as "Piper at the gates of dawn", "Abbey Road" etc etc (you get the idea). Now, where I'm only in my early 20s, I haven't really grown up with vinyl and have really no idea how to look after it properly.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Is this a euphemism for I've punctured my inflatable doll, how do I repair it? :roll:

 

Ooops just realised this is teh lounge

 

It's not only the Records but the Album Covers that need to be cared for. I presume you can still buy the plastic LP covers/dust sleeves or whatever they were called.

 

Congrats on getting what sounds to be an absolute treasure trove. Don't listen to Intersteller Overdrive sober, it might put you off early Floyd

[Toomer]

If they still have the record & CD fair at Southampton Guildhall last Saturday of the month you should be able to buy protective covers & sleeves there.

[Barfy]

Just don't leave a squeezable stress toy on the shelf above your vinyl collection which might burst and cover some of your most prized possessions in crap.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Firstly buy this:

[Handyman]

Ask St Landrew. He is the expert on this subject.

Edited 9 May, 2009 by Handyman

[rocknrollman no2]

Keep your records upright in their sleeves and make sure they are not in direct sunlight.Also dont clean them with any solvents.

Hope you enjoy playing them.I personally prefer records to those cd thingys.

[Barney Trubble]

I used to clean my old vinyl and remove any light scratches by placing one or two drops of fairly liquid onto the vinyl and then rubbing gently in a circular motion.

 

It's never done them any harm and quite often removes light scratches or where a vinyl may jump over some words of the song.

[Cosham Scientist]

Keep your records upright in their sleeves and make sure they are not in direct sunlight.

What he said. And away from direct heat like central heating pipes and radiators.

 

Have you got anything to play it on? It's worth having a decent turntable, arm, cartridge and stylus. Especially stylus; a worn stylus kills vinyl fast.

 

Old (or even new) vinyl benefits from vacuum cleaning. There are commercial services, but I use one of these: KAB EV-1.

 

Old crackly records can be played wet; load a fine paintbrush with a very dilute mild detergent solution, and trail it in front of the stylus as the record rotates. Can be helpful if you're trying to digitise music which is only available on old vinyl (or those flexis which used to be used for promos and freebies).

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

What he said. And away from direct heat like central heating pipes and radiators.

 

Have you got anything to play it on? It's worth having a decent turntable, arm, cartridge and stylus. Especially stylus; a worn stylus kills vinyl fast.

 

Old (or even new) vinyl benefits from vacuum cleaning. There are commercial services, but I use one of these: KAB EV-1.

 

Old crackly records can be played wet; load a fine paintbrush with a very dilute mild detergent solution, and trail it in front of the stylus as the record rotates. Can be helpful if you're trying to digitise music which is only available on old vinyl (or those flexis which used to be used for promos and freebies).

 

I've got technics turntables, which I use for a little bit of 'DJing' and a stand alone turntable that I was bought soley to play records on. I'll be honest, I don't really have the money to invest in a top notch turntable, but I might look into buying new stylus'

[Cosham Scientist]

I've got technics turntables, which I use for a little bit of 'DJing' and a stand alone turntable that I was bought soley to play records on. I'll be honest, I don't really have the money to invest in a top notch turntable, but I might look into buying new stylus'

 

Ooooooooh OK, well I think your 12" singles are considerably more robust than the classic vinyl albums so play the classic stuff on something that's a little bit more sensitive and if there's any doubts about the stylus then a new one would be a good investment. I don't know what "top notch" is nowadays; I use a very old Rega Planar. Not sure what the current cartridge is.

[St Landrew]

Keep your records upright in their sleeves and make sure they are not in direct sunlight.Also dont clean them with any solvents.

Hope you enjoy playing them.I personally prefer records to those cd thingys.

 

Good advice. Under no circumstances put any liquids of any kind [most certainly not washing up liquid] onto vinyl records. There is an inherent lubricant within the vinyl that allows the record to disengage from the master. This can be removed or substantially reduced if any liquids are applied, and any clicks and pops of any nature are then transmitted louder. However, a record has to be in a thoroughly poor state if it refuses to play through. Treat your records well - you can eventually bring them back from a previous click/poppy condition with an appropriate dust brush applied every time before playing - and they will give you many decades of listening pleasure.

 

In fact, unlike some CDs, you'll be passing them on to your younger relatives.

 

BTW, don't play your records on something you can buy from Comet/Currys etc... with it's own pre-amp. That's kiddies stuff, and rubbish. Spend a little proper dosh and you'll be surprised how good they sound. Good budget stuff are a Dual CS515, Rega Planar2 or 3, Thorens TD160 with arm, Linn Basik. That sort of thing. Most of it is very well made and can be got second hand.

 

EDIT: In fact, I see Mighty Saint is selling a budget starter turntable that would be good enough - the Dual CS415. Not bad at all. In a few years time you can buy a Linn Sondek, and then throw the rest of your CDs away.

Edited 9 May, 2009 by St Landrew

[Seaford Saint]

Good advice. Under no circumstances put any liquids of any kind [most certainly not washing up liquid] onto vinyl records. There is an inherent lubricant within the vinyl that allows the record to disengage from the master. This can be removed or substantially reduced if any liquids are applied, and any clicks and pops of any nature are then transmitted louder. However, a record has to be in a thoroughly poor state if it refuses to play through. Treat your records well - you can eventually bring them back from a previous click/poppy condition with an appropriate dust brush applied every time before playing - and they will give you many decades of listening pleasure.

 

In fact, unlike some CDs, you'll be passing them on to your younger relatives.

 

BTW, don't play your records on something you can buy from Comet/Currys etc... with it's own pre-amp. That's kiddies stuff, and rubbish. Spend a little proper dosh and you'll be surprised how good they sound. Good budget stuff are a Dual CS515, Rega Planar2 or 3, Thorens TD160 with arm, Linn Basik. That sort of thing. Most of it is very well made and can be got second hand.

 

EDIT: In fact, I see Mighty Saint is selling a budget starter turntable that would be good enough - the Dual CS415. Not bad at all. In a few years time you can buy a Linn Sondek, and then throw the rest of your CDs away.

 

Better still buy a squeezebox record loads of albums, grab the remote control and listen to your heart's content. You'll want to ditch the lp12 in no time:)

[St Landrew]

Better still buy a squeezebox record loads of albums, grab the remote control and listen to your heart's content. You'll want to ditch the lp12 in no time:)

 

Surely it depends on how good the quality is, not the capacity..?

[Barney Trubble]

Good advice. Under no circumstances put any liquids of any kind [most certainly not washing up liquid] onto vinyl records. There is an inherent lubricant within the vinyl that allows the record to disengage from the master. This can be removed or substantially reduced if any liquids are applied, and any clicks and pops of any nature are then transmitted louder.

 

Have you actually tried it or just what you've read in a magazine that wants you to buy their expensive product that just does the same job?

 

I've used washing up liquid for years and my old vinyl play fine and the quality hasn't been reduced. I have had a few scratches on vinyl that have been repaired with this old trick.

 

I'm sure times have moved on since I used vinyl but it's never harmed or damaged a vinyl in all the years I used it. However, i'm sure some magazine will convince people that they should buy their product for a tenner as using washing up liquid will burn a hole in your vinyl or something else that is likely to put fear into a vinyl enthusiast.

 

I can only go on what I've tried and it's been a faithful servant over the years and when I do feel nostalgic and wish to play some old 33's, 45's or 78's, they sound just lovely.

[ericofarabia]

These guys might be able to help you out

 

[wadesmith]

Just don't leave a squeezable stress toy on the shelf above your vinyl collection which might burst and cover some of your most prized possessions in crap.

 

That exact thing happened to me! My room got hot in the summer & a stress toy burst & all my sleeves stuck together. Heartbreaker.

[Verbal]

Good advice. Under no circumstances put any liquids of any kind [most certainly not washing up liquid] onto vinyl records. There is an inherent lubricant within the vinyl that allows the record to disengage from the master. This can be removed or substantially reduced if any liquids are applied, and any clicks and pops of any nature are then transmitted louder. However, a record has to be in a thoroughly poor state if it refuses to play through. Treat your records well - you can eventually bring them back from a previous click/poppy condition with an appropriate dust brush applied every time before playing - and they will give you many decades of listening pleasure.

 

In fact, unlike some CDs, you'll be passing them on to your younger relatives.

 

BTW, don't play your records on something you can buy from Comet/Currys etc... with it's own pre-amp. That's kiddies stuff, and rubbish. Spend a little proper dosh and you'll be surprised how good they sound. Good budget stuff are a Dual CS515, Rega Planar2 or 3, Thorens TD160 with arm, Linn Basik. That sort of thing. Most of it is very well made and can be got second hand.

 

EDIT: In fact, I see Mighty Saint is selling a budget starter turntable that would be good enough - the Dual CS415. Not bad at all. In a few years time you can buy a Linn Sondek, and then throw the rest of your CDs away.

 

Okay, got the Linn Sondek (an absolute steal at £250) - but what are the good but not stupidly priced amps and speakers these days? (There used to be a Far Eastern company called Rad that produced great, cheap amps, but I think they must have vanished by now.)