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.

Latest additions to BaseVinyl.com

NEW NEEDLE STYLUS FOR GARRARD KLH 11 15 19 20 24 26

Shrink-wrapped..

Durpower Phonograph Record Player Turntable Needle For GARRARD SLX-2 SLX2 PANASONIC RD3100 SE-2680 SE2680 SE-2600

Brand New (factory sealed box) replacement stylus.New in box Pfanstiehl 4604-D7C STEREO DIAMOND REPLACEMENT NEEDLE FOR SONY, SANYO, FISHER, KENWOOD, CROSLEY NOSTALGIA, ION AND MANY OTHER TURNTABLE MODELS.If You Have Ques..

Durpower Phonograph Record Player Turntable Needle For Garrard 125-SB, Garrard 126-SB, Garrard 9000-Hif, Grundig KS 722, Grundig KS 772

Brand New (factory sealed box) replacement stylus.New in box Pfanstiehl Pfanstiehl 4760-DE STEREO DIAMOND REPLACEMENT NEEDLE FOR SONY, SANYO, FISHER, KENWOOD, CROSLEY NOSTALGIA, ION AND MANY OTHER TURNTABLE MODELS.If You..

Newpowergear Phonograph Record Turntable Needle Replacement For MODELS DENON DP-25F, DENON DP25F, GARRARD 1212, GARRARD 1212, TEAC PA-400, CEC CN24...

This Brand New (factory sealed box) Generic replacement stylus.If the original cartridge has been replaced with another type this won't fit. The color may be a bit different. Compare your old needle to the picture before..

Needles & Accessories

Refine Search

Product Compare (0)

Sort By:

Show:

Audio Technica At95e Phonograph Cartridge 1/2 Mount

The half-inch standard mount AT95E phonograph cartridge offers outstanding clarity and detail. Reviewers have rated this affordable, high-performance cartridge as a best buy value. Manufactured to Audio-Technician's reno..

Audio Technica CN5625AL .7 mil Conical Half-inch Standard Mount Cartridge

The half-inch mount CN5625AL cartridge is an outstanding entry-level cartridge..7mm Conical.5" Standard Mount CartridgeGreat for all your needsFrequency Response: 20-20,000 HzChannel Separation: 20/15 (dB at 1 kHz/10 kHz..

Audio-Technica Universal Headshell (AT-HS1)

The AT-HS1 is a universal 1/2"-mount head shell for 4-pin turntable cartridges which features all-metal construction and an integral finger lift. It is equipped with a rubber washer for a secure fit to your tone arm and ..

Audio-Technica AT440MLa Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge

Enjoy remarkably accurate tracking, separation, and performance when listening to vinyl with this dual-moving magnet phono cartridge. The 1/2-inch mount cartridge features a MicroLine shaped diamond stylus that tracks po..

Audio-Technica AT440MLB Phonograph Cartridge

This micro-Linear, stylus mounted, VM cartridge features a dual-magnet system with high performance par toroidal power generation system.Micro-Linear, stylus mounted, VM cartridge.VM type dual-magnet system and high perf..

Audio-Technica AT6011 Anti-Static Record Brush

Audio-Technica AT6011 Anti-Static Record Brush for vinyl LP care and maintenance. Removes harmful dust and contaminants from your vinyl records.Removes harmful dust and contaminants from your vinyl records.Conductive syn..

Audio-Technica AT6011 Anti-Static Record Brush

Audio-Technica Bluetooth Turntable (White) ATLP60BT + ATN3600L Extra Stylus

Fully Automatic Operation Integrated Bluetooth Line and Phono Outputs 33-1/3 & 45 rpm Speeds Replaceable Stylus IncludedThis Audio-Technica Bundle includes the ATLP60BT White Turntable, an additional ATN3600L stylus, and..

AudioQuest LP record clean brush

AudioQuest LP record clean brushConductive Carbon Fibers..

Cartridge Alignment Protractor

Set up and align your cartridge with our new Diskeeper Cartridge Protractor! Easy to follow instructions on the back. Mirrored finish allows you to precisely fix the stylus. Proper setup and alignment is crucial to get t..

CARTRIDGE CONNECTOR WIRES CLIPS TURNTABLE HEADSHELL INSTALLATION

NEW 4 PIECE COLOR CODED TURNTABLE CARTRIDGE CONNECTING LEAD SET. WIRES MEASURE 1 3/4" LONG...

Collector Protector Vinyl Record Spray Cleaner and Anti Static Carbon Fiber Record Brush. The Perfect Combination To Keep Your Records Sounding Great

Collector Protector Cleaning Kit can help you keep your cherished LPs in premium condition. This kit consists of a bottle of cleaning solution as well as a hand-held carbon fiber brush.First thing to know about cleaning ..

Columbia/DENON SJN-75 turntable replacement needle

Turntable replacement needleCartridge No: MG-2721Cartridge format: MMNeedle tip shape: round needleStylus force: 2.5g..

Deluxe Turntable Cartridge Headshell Mounting Bolt Screw Kit 39 Pieces

Shrink-wrapped..

Denon DL 103 Moving Coil Cartridge

Moving Coil Cartridge* Output Voltage: 0.3mV* Frequency response: 20Hz-45kHz* Output Impedance: 40ohms* Tracking Tip: 16.5mmicron round trip* Tracking force: 2.5g+-0.2g* Compliance: 5x10-6cm/dyne.Denon's classic cartridg..

DuaFire Phono Turntable Replacement Needle Magnetic Phono Cartridge

NOTE : Not Universal Model For all Phono , Please check your Phono Cartridge if 4 ports before your purchasing. Specifications: 1. Brand New High Quality Disc cartridge 2. Plastic rod 3. Needle pressure: 5 grams (4-6 g..

Durpower Phonograph Record Player Turntable Needle For AIWA PX-E850 PX-E860U RX-E860U CURTIS MATHES KP400 CURTIS MATHES KX2000

Brand New (factory sealed box) replacement stylus.New in box Pfanstiehl 4211-D6t STEREO DIAMOND REPLACEMENT NEEDLE FOR SONY, SANYO, FISHER, KENWOOD, CROSLEY NOSTALGIA, ION AND MANY OTHER TURNTABLE MODELS.If You Have Ques..

Durpower Phonograph Record Player Turntable Needle For Clairtone CTT-1855, Clairtone CTT-1885, Clairtone CTT-1885S-404,

Brand New (factory sealed box) replacement stylus.New in box Pfanstiehl 365-DS77 STEREO DIAMOND REPLACEMENT NEEDLE FOR SONY, SANYO, FISHER, KENWOOD, CROSLEY NOSTALGIA, ION AND MANY OTHER TURNTABLE MODELS.If You Have Ques..

Showing 19 to 36 of 139 (8 Pages)