Needles & Cartridges

Speakers Vinyl Records Turntables Needles & Accessories - Needles & Cartridges - Cleaning & Vinyl Care - Replacement Parts Audio System Components Complete Sound Systems

TAKING CARE OF YOUR RECORDS

Looking after your records is actually pretty simple (provided you keep at it), and many regard it as part of the magic of keeping a legendary collection. Chances are, if you own a sizeable vinyl vault, you'll be using the right cleaning materials already. Not everyone does though. And if you've mistakenly thought that tap water will do the trick, there's much more to learn. So stick around.After all, this is probably the one major part of your life that's not stored digitally.

Storage and Passive Care
Much comes down to you treat your records when they're not in use. This part is usually simple, but if you do it properly you'll be rewarded for decades to come. This involves some obvious pointers like keeping your vinyl out of the sunny windows and heat sources like amplifiers, and humid areas of the house like bathrooms or kitchens, presuming they don't have an extraction fan, are a definite no. Be wary of areas that are just hot or humid in general. If you're new to the game, you may not have known that records should never be stored horizontally in large numbers. If you really need to though, stacks shouldn't exceed 15-20 in number.

Then there are the obvious points: records should be kept in their sleeves when not in use. This comes down to the war against dust is, but it doesn't have to be a struggle. One fool-proof method is to store them in plastic sleeves. If you find that comes off as tacky, the cardboard sleeve should fare just fine. It also generates less static.

Guarding against static
Static is the other area you'll need to guard against. The paper sleeves which records are shipped in tend generate plenty of it. It pays to invest in some polyethylene lined sleeves for your most favored records.

Handling your records
If you're staging a romantic dinner and have been cooking all evening, remember keep those oily paws off the fine grooves. If you want your records and stylus to be playing like they did a year from now that is. For general handling though, the place you hold the record matters too: The labeled area and outer edges are safe-zones for those fingers.

Before and after slipping on a record, a carbon fiber brush is handy of removing any micro-particles that could've landed on your favorite LP between taking it out and replacing it inside it's sleeve. Another great way to remain dust-proof is to buy a record player with a lid.

Record Cleaning
No matter how meticulous you are about record storage, a good cleaning now and then will benefit your vinyl, keeping the sound just as crisp and clean as it should be. If it's an older record or you've just let it become dusty as hell through lack of discretion, there are a number of tried and tested ways of restoring it to it's former glory provided it's not been scratched. Any grime that invariably comes with second-hand records should be dealt with immediately so as not to damage your stylus.

If you want to simplify the process, there are plenty of cleaning machines available that will save you time, but assuming you're more hands on, there are some classic methods of record-cleaning that will be available for as long as records are around. That said, cleaning machines are also available, which will make the load lighter.

Cleaning Machines
Although automatic record-cleaning machines tend to be expensive and space-consuming, that doesn't mean you can't save time and money by buying a compact and trusty manual cleaning machine. Especially if you have a massive vinyl collection, this will turn a day's cleaning into a couple of hours. The Spin Clean Record Cleaner is one fine example of this, and it works using the same mixture of cleaning solution and distilled water.

The Classic Cleaning Method

Before you start to clean, always use a dry carbon fiber brush to take off any loose dust particles. Some cleaning solutions include this as part of the package, such as the Clear Groove Record Cleaning Solution for instance. If you don't brush before applying the wet cloth (the next step), dust can become lodged inside the grooves.

Next, apply your cleaning brush with record-cleaning solution. You might choose to dilute with some distilled water (Again, never use ordinary tap water as the minerals will cause the vinyl to degenerate). Now gently wipe the grooves, going with the grain, for obvious reasons. After a few swipes, check the cloth for any dust deposits and rinse them off before restarting the process. The cloth shouldn't be sopping wet, so just wet it enough to pick up those finer dust particles. While you're cleaning, be wary of getting any water on the label. This can cause smudging.

Now stack your records vertically and leave them to dry in an area of the house that isn't too dusty.

Stylus Maintenance
This is the point where the needle hits the groove, so it's crucially important to maintaining a healthy library.As we mentioned before, keeping your stylus clean and properly aligned will have a direct effect on how long your records last. This is because a badly maintained stylus can end up scratching your records. Keeping your records clean in turn, will effect the longevity of your stylus, so it's this cycle you need to keep an eye on, and fortunately it doesn't require a lot of work provided you don't let things get out of whack in the first place.

A few pointers are worth bearing in mind here:

- Never use a worn-out stylus.
-Ensure that your stylus is clean and free of grime at all times.
-Make sure you've balanced your stylus in accordance with your cartridge's requirements.
- Be sure to align your cartridge properly.
-Set up your anti-skate counterweight properly.

Summing it all up

In a nutshell, record-maintenance is all about keeping the physical connection between record and stylus crisp and clear. Records are still the most magical form of music-appreciation, and caring for your record collection won't require heaps of work if you take care of regular maintenance.

Take a look inside BaseVinyl.com

uxcell Metal Panel Mount RCA Female Socket Connectors Adapter 20 Pcs Silver Tone

Single RCA female socket, solder type.PCB mount in various electric appliances, like TV, DVD, computer, speaker, etc.Product Name : RCA Socket;Type : RCA Female OutletMaterial : Plastic, Metal;Color : Silver Tone, Black,..

The Best Of Trojan Ska Vol. 1 [LP]

1st wave in a series of LPs celebrating the re-launch of Trojan Records in the US The national sound of Jamaica throughout the first half of the 1960s, SKA first swept the world in 1964 before eventually fading altogethe..

Across The Universe OST Soundtrack Vinyl RSD 2016

Track List: Side A A1 Jim Sturgess - All My Loving 2:27 A2 T.V. Carpio - I Want To Hold Your Hand 2:47 A3 Evan Rachel Wood - It Won't Be Long 2:18 A4 Jim Sturgess - I've Just Seen A Face 1:50 Side B B1 Carol Woods And Ti..

Vulnicura

Bjork Vulnicura - Acetate Artwork + MP3 Code - Sealed UK 2-LP vinyl setRecords have been cleaned and new sleeved.2 LP Release.Has original inner sleeves.Made in the UK.Black vinyl...

Onkyo Network Stereo Audio Component Receiver, Black (TX-8140)

Delivering 80 W/Ch of high-current power from a fully discrete low-impedance amplification system, the TX-8140 plays all your audio sources with pure dynamic energy. Connectivity is outstanding: you can route TV sound vi..

Boytone BT-101WT Bluetooth Turntable Briefcase Record player AC-DC, Built in Rechargeable Battery, 2 Stereo Speakers 3-speed, LCD Display, FM Radio...

Ability to convert vinyl records, FM Radio into MP3 files format without a computer or any programing - Save your music. 6 in 1, Bluetooth suitcase turntable record player 3 Speed Selectable (33/45/78 RPM) speeds setting..

Warpaint

Warpaint Live is a live album by American southern rock band The Black Crowes.UPC 803341419988Label Rock ClassicsVinyl Records - 3-LP - NewLimited EditionColored VinylTrack ListingSide A1. Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolu..

Turntable Lab: Spacemat Record Slipmat - Single

Custom Lab slipmats featuring an awesome star field print designed by PH. Super soft style, medium weight mats with smooth sublimated print for a smooth surface that won't scratch your records. Suitable for DJing or ever..

Needles & Accessories

Refine Search

Product Compare (0)

Sort By:

Show:

TURNTABLE BELT FOR THORENS TD-125 TD-145 TD-160 TD-165 TD-165C TD-574

Belts are brand new stockBelts are manufactured to match the OEM specsOutstanding Tech Support / 45 years experienceLifetime Warranty on all belts..

Turntable Cartridge Headshell Wires

For the best connection between your cartridge and existing tonearm, use these 45mm Length OFC (oxygen free copper) leads with non magnetic, varying-gauge gold plated cartridge pins. These leads are compatible with most ..

TURNTABLE HEADSHELL CARTRIDGE FASTENER SCREWS 28 Piece Set

45mm Length OFC (oxygen free copper) leads.Non magnetic, varying-gauge gold plated cartridge pins.Compatible with most tonearms and cartridges...

Turntable Lab: Cork Record Mat

Custom cork slipmat from Turntable Lab. Improves sound and performance of listening turntable setups.custom Turntable Lab cork record matimproves sound quality playback with cork's dampening qualities (lessens vibrations..

Turntable Lab: Spacemat Record Slipmat - Single

Turntable Phonograph LP Phono Cartridge Stylus Alignment Protractor Tool | Mirrored | Made in USA

Proudly designed and manufactured in America! To properly mount a phono cartridge, you need to be able to position it so that it remains tangent to the record grooves at all diameters. This is always a compromise. This g..

Turntable Phonograph LP Phono Cartridge Stylus Alignment Protractor Tool | Mirrored | v2 | Made in USA

Proudly Made in USA! To properly mount a phono cartridge, you need to be able to position it so that it remains tangent to the record grooves at all diameters. This is always a compromise. This gauge helps you to mount t..

Turntable Record Player Phono Cartridge Headshell with Gold Leads, BLACK

BRAND NEW, BLACK ANODIZED ALUMINUM HEADSHELL WITH GOLD LEADS Especially crafted headshell for audiophile and professional turntables when full harmonics and fidelity are critical goals of the end-user. Made of special a..

Turntable Toys TC-8 Cork Audiophile Turntable Mat 1/8-Inch thick

This listing is for (1) Turntable Toys TC-8 Cork Audiophile Turntable Mat now in the new Grade (A) fine grain cork the finest quality cork there is. Its well known your new Turntable Toys Cork Mat will help improve the d..

Universal Turntable Headshell for Magnetic Phono Cartridges

A favorite of DJ's and audiophiles alike, this headshell is compatible with cartridges having standard two-screw mounting configurations. It is perfect for environments where multiple different cartridges are used for di..

uxcell 10Pcs Gold Plated RCA Audio Video Male Connector Metal Spring Adapter

Specification:Description:RCA Male audio adapter for converter audio jack.Connect the microphone and speaker or other device with this audio adapter.Product Name : Audio Adapter;Type : RCA Male ConnectorPin Diameter : 3...

uxcell 5 Pcs Speaker RCA Wire to AV Phono Male RCA Cable Connector Jack Adapter

1.Simply and professional appearance for cabling.2.Easier for CCTV camera installation, save time and save money.3.No electrical tap, no splicing, no crimping, but only a small screw driver.Connector Type: RCA Male; Colo..

uxcell Metal Panel Mount RCA Female Socket Connectors Adapter 20 Pcs Silver Tone

yueton 2 Pack Gold 3.5mm 6" Stereo Female Mini Jack To 2 Male RCA Plug Adapter Audio Y Cable

Product Features: - Cables are the perfect solution for adapting your audio connections to meet your application needs. - These cost effective cables are of great quality giving you crisp, clear sound for less lose. ..

Showing 127 to 140 of 140 (8 Pages)