bscott
05-14-2008, 12:57 PM
Persuant to thread on an old turntable, I thought that I would provide some direction on how to properly use and care for vinyl records. This can extend the life of the record and also you turntable, cartridge and needle.
First, when you take the record out of the sleeve DO NOT TOUCH THE GROOVES with your greasy hands!! Cradle the edge of the record in the crux of your thumb and put your other fingers in the muiddle of the record where the label is. When putting the record on the platter handle by the edges only.
DO NOT under any circumstances use a stacker spindle. The stacker spindle would let you stack multiple records on it and they would drop down for play when the currently playing record was over.
When cleaning records, to remove dust, use only distilled water, available from pharmacies, not ionized - ONLY DISTILLED. Not minerals or anything else to gum up or scrqatch the music grooves.
Unless there is something sticky on the grooves that must be removed do not use any kind of specialty cleaning fluid that salespeople might try to sell you. If records are well cared for they will only need to have the dust removed from them. If you must use some ind of cleaning fluid immediately afterwars claen with distilled water.
DO NOT clean the records grooves by swiping at right angles (as recommended for CDs). Clean only in the direction of the grooves rotating the cleaning edge of whatever you are using gradually up and off the record.
ALL records should have a protective sleeve that protects the grroves from the cardboard or plastic outer sleeve.
Check the needle and look for build up of dust or "gunk" on the needle. If there is a build up gently rub with a very soft cloth - NEVER your fingers.
These steps, and others that I am sure other members of this forum will contribute will extende the life of your records and equipment.
Also know that that I am in no way trying to be officious or codescending tio anyone. It is just that there is a whole new generation of people starting to listen to vinyl records and their proper use and care is not known and they probably don't have anyone from whom they can learn this stuff.
Respectfully - Brian
First, when you take the record out of the sleeve DO NOT TOUCH THE GROOVES with your greasy hands!! Cradle the edge of the record in the crux of your thumb and put your other fingers in the muiddle of the record where the label is. When putting the record on the platter handle by the edges only.
DO NOT under any circumstances use a stacker spindle. The stacker spindle would let you stack multiple records on it and they would drop down for play when the currently playing record was over.
When cleaning records, to remove dust, use only distilled water, available from pharmacies, not ionized - ONLY DISTILLED. Not minerals or anything else to gum up or scrqatch the music grooves.
Unless there is something sticky on the grooves that must be removed do not use any kind of specialty cleaning fluid that salespeople might try to sell you. If records are well cared for they will only need to have the dust removed from them. If you must use some ind of cleaning fluid immediately afterwars claen with distilled water.
DO NOT clean the records grooves by swiping at right angles (as recommended for CDs). Clean only in the direction of the grooves rotating the cleaning edge of whatever you are using gradually up and off the record.
ALL records should have a protective sleeve that protects the grroves from the cardboard or plastic outer sleeve.
Check the needle and look for build up of dust or "gunk" on the needle. If there is a build up gently rub with a very soft cloth - NEVER your fingers.
These steps, and others that I am sure other members of this forum will contribute will extende the life of your records and equipment.
Also know that that I am in no way trying to be officious or codescending tio anyone. It is just that there is a whole new generation of people starting to listen to vinyl records and their proper use and care is not known and they probably don't have anyone from whom they can learn this stuff.
Respectfully - Brian