@outofthegreenmist Thank you. I don't have the best speakers, yet my cartridge and stylus are from the 80s yet are clean and properly maintained. I always clean my records with a brush before each play. Every once and a while I clean them with solution to get deep in the grooves.
@tjsmith51 I have never cleaned my records with anything other than a brush. I've never used any kind of liquid cleaner. I did have a stylus-like brush which followed the groove as the record played, in advance of the real stylus. I usually replace my stylus every 4 or 5 years. I'm not saying I'm doing it right, but there weren't so many audiophiles, it seems, when I started collecting records and I was the only person I knew who bothered cleaning his records at all! I did use a solution on a...
(continued)...soft pad, for a while, now that I think about it, but when it ran out I never replaced it and didn't find it superior to dry brush. Any tips on cleaning with a solution? Cheers.
@outofthegreenmist I make my own soap solution. I favour a very small and gentle amount to distilled water if I can afford it, if not tap. I really don't have tips though. People will probably tell me that I am doing it wrong. All I can say is that my LP's are clean, and sound almost exactly like they were when bought. I inspect my cartridge and stylus monthly for cracks, chips, etc. Unless I find one or the sound deteriorates then I keep it for as long as it works. Thanks for listening mate.
@tjsmith51 Interesting. Do you lay the record on a cloth or towel and clean in a radial fashion? As it used to say on inner sleeves, a worn or chipped stylus can irreparably damage your records. Take it from someone it happened to - me!
@outofthegreenmist I have an old turntable top that is missing parts yet still turns at a moderate speed. I place it on that and clean it. Easier in my book. I check the stylus regularly under a magnifying glass. I usually look straight into a light. If there is a problem I replace it, if not I keep it. I clean it as well. With that old turntable top came an extra cartridge and stylus so I should be good for a while if one goes.
@outofthegreenmist You know those Mr. Clean erasers? Well you take one (DRY NOT WET) and you take the stylus and push it in and out a few times and it gets the dust off. Make sure you don't move it around or the fibers in the eraser can destroy the stylus. Never do this with cloth for the same reason. I learned this from my uncle. It works well. The stylus I have is from the 80s and sounds/works fine. I do advise you be very careful. You need a steady hand. Cheers!
@tjsmith51 I saw a video today of a bloke steam-cleaning his records. I don't know if it was an optical illusion, but at one point the record appears warped. If so, I wouldn't be surprised since steam is hotter than boiling water and I can't see pouring boiling (ie. colder than steam!) water on your records doing them any favours! Still, he seems happy with the results.
@tjsmith51 Definitely overkill, in my view. The risk of permanent damage, just to shift some dirt. You can see it here: watch?v=d6OjtKUZ048 As I say, if he's happy, that's his business.
@outofthegreenmist I've seen it before...that's why I don't risk it. Water or solution is the way...you should get neither on the label. Water should be room temp/luke warm. Steam just kills the LP. You should clean it though cause too much dust and crap will ruin the stylus and the sound quality.
@tjsmith51 Yeah, I've bought one or two second hand records lately and I really should clean them to be safe - I mean, with something other than just a brush. Do you leave your records to stand and dry or do you dry them with a cloth? Speaking of the label, I can't imagine anything loosening the adhesive on the label more than steam! Hasn't this guy heard of steaming envelopes open? There's another similar video by someone else. They use solutions, brushes and vacuums - why use steam at all?
@tjsmith51 LOL! You're right there! They buy these expensive record-cleaning machines and liquids and it's just not enough for them - out comes the jet of steam! Anyway, I had a go with your method this morning. I bought an LP at a charity shop recently. I could see it was dirty and didn't want to play it like that. I added a capful of vinegar to your solution, after reading another tip elsewhere, dried the record after cleaning and left it on the dish-rack for good measure. It looks great!
(Part 2) And it plays great, too! A few crackles here and there (it's from the 60's and didn't even have an inner sleeve!), but apart from that, I'm happy with the results, so I'm going to try it on a few more suspect records.
Got the ATCO pressing in the mail today.
drockkclapton 1 month ago
@drockkclapton I always wanted the ATCO pressing. Enjoy!
tjsmith51 1 month ago
I have watched/listened to this at least 10 times now. Vinyl sounds so good, even over the internet. haha
drockkclapton 1 month ago
@drockkclapton Thank you. I'm happy you enjoy.
tjsmith51 1 month ago
Bastard! I have all the albums on vinyl except Wheels of Fire!
drockkclapton 1 month ago
@drockkclapton So did I...then i found this...and was so happy.
tjsmith51 1 month ago
@tjsmith51 Why not be a sport and put Crossroads up?
drockkclapton 1 month ago
Brilliant sound!
outofthegreenmist 1 year ago
@outofthegreenmist Thank you. I don't have the best speakers, yet my cartridge and stylus are from the 80s yet are clean and properly maintained. I always clean my records with a brush before each play. Every once and a while I clean them with solution to get deep in the grooves.
tjsmith51 1 year ago
@tjsmith51 I have never cleaned my records with anything other than a brush. I've never used any kind of liquid cleaner. I did have a stylus-like brush which followed the groove as the record played, in advance of the real stylus. I usually replace my stylus every 4 or 5 years. I'm not saying I'm doing it right, but there weren't so many audiophiles, it seems, when I started collecting records and I was the only person I knew who bothered cleaning his records at all! I did use a solution on a...
outofthegreenmist 1 year ago
(continued)...soft pad, for a while, now that I think about it, but when it ran out I never replaced it and didn't find it superior to dry brush. Any tips on cleaning with a solution? Cheers.
outofthegreenmist 1 year ago
@outofthegreenmist I make my own soap solution. I favour a very small and gentle amount to distilled water if I can afford it, if not tap. I really don't have tips though. People will probably tell me that I am doing it wrong. All I can say is that my LP's are clean, and sound almost exactly like they were when bought. I inspect my cartridge and stylus monthly for cracks, chips, etc. Unless I find one or the sound deteriorates then I keep it for as long as it works. Thanks for listening mate.
tjsmith51 1 year ago
@tjsmith51 Interesting. Do you lay the record on a cloth or towel and clean in a radial fashion? As it used to say on inner sleeves, a worn or chipped stylus can irreparably damage your records. Take it from someone it happened to - me!
outofthegreenmist 1 year ago
@outofthegreenmist I have an old turntable top that is missing parts yet still turns at a moderate speed. I place it on that and clean it. Easier in my book. I check the stylus regularly under a magnifying glass. I usually look straight into a light. If there is a problem I replace it, if not I keep it. I clean it as well. With that old turntable top came an extra cartridge and stylus so I should be good for a while if one goes.
tjsmith51 1 year ago
@tjsmith51 Good idea. How do you clean the stylus?
outofthegreenmist 1 year ago
@outofthegreenmist You know those Mr. Clean erasers? Well you take one (DRY NOT WET) and you take the stylus and push it in and out a few times and it gets the dust off. Make sure you don't move it around or the fibers in the eraser can destroy the stylus. Never do this with cloth for the same reason. I learned this from my uncle. It works well. The stylus I have is from the 80s and sounds/works fine. I do advise you be very careful. You need a steady hand. Cheers!
tjsmith51 1 year ago
@tjsmith51 I saw a video today of a bloke steam-cleaning his records. I don't know if it was an optical illusion, but at one point the record appears warped. If so, I wouldn't be surprised since steam is hotter than boiling water and I can't see pouring boiling (ie. colder than steam!) water on your records doing them any favours! Still, he seems happy with the results.
outofthegreenmist 11 months ago
@outofthegreenmist Well I don't use hot water nor do i use cold water...luke warm. yet steaming is silly. I use solution when i can.
tjsmith51 11 months ago
@tjsmith51 Definitely overkill, in my view. The risk of permanent damage, just to shift some dirt. You can see it here: watch?v=d6OjtKUZ048 As I say, if he's happy, that's his business.
outofthegreenmist 11 months ago
@outofthegreenmist I've seen it before...that's why I don't risk it. Water or solution is the way...you should get neither on the label. Water should be room temp/luke warm. Steam just kills the LP. You should clean it though cause too much dust and crap will ruin the stylus and the sound quality.
tjsmith51 11 months ago
@tjsmith51 Yeah, I've bought one or two second hand records lately and I really should clean them to be safe - I mean, with something other than just a brush. Do you leave your records to stand and dry or do you dry them with a cloth? Speaking of the label, I can't imagine anything loosening the adhesive on the label more than steam! Hasn't this guy heard of steaming envelopes open? There's another similar video by someone else. They use solutions, brushes and vacuums - why use steam at all?
outofthegreenmist 11 months ago
@outofthegreenmist I use a cloth because I have nowhere to put them.
I know, these guys are nuts...the whole lot of 'em.
tjsmith51 11 months ago
@tjsmith51 LOL! You're right there! They buy these expensive record-cleaning machines and liquids and it's just not enough for them - out comes the jet of steam! Anyway, I had a go with your method this morning. I bought an LP at a charity shop recently. I could see it was dirty and didn't want to play it like that. I added a capful of vinegar to your solution, after reading another tip elsewhere, dried the record after cleaning and left it on the dish-rack for good measure. It looks great!
outofthegreenmist 11 months ago
(Part 2) And it plays great, too! A few crackles here and there (it's from the 60's and didn't even have an inner sleeve!), but apart from that, I'm happy with the results, so I'm going to try it on a few more suspect records.
outofthegreenmist 11 months ago