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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

Why The Mountains Are Black - Primeval Greek Village Music: 1907-1960 (2LP)

Third Man Records is proud to present a truly rare musical oddity—a two disc collection of primal and unhinged Greek village music that at times sounds more like free jazz or doom folk, feral and trance-like as it is. Af..

PHONOGRAPH NEEDLE STYLUS 864-DS73 Vaco Varco TN4D TN5D TN8D P-132D 864-DS73

TURNTABLE BELT FOR SANYO TP-728 TP-747 TP-808 TP-868 TP-1005 TP-1005A TP-1010

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

Hold Your Breath

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Rocks: Milestones Reloaded

**LIMITED SALE PRICE** (2LP) 14 signature tunes from the industrial/dance heavyweights newly re-imagined, re-mixed & re-worked!Rocks..

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R1055, CURTIS MATHES R2500, CURTIS MATHES S1025

This new Brand New (factory sealed box) Generic replacement stylus.New old stockTip: .7 mil DiamondSpeeds: 33 & 45 RPM(factory sealed box) replacement stylus..

Marantz PM6005 Hi-Fi Integrated Amplifier with Digital Inputs

The PM6005 integrated amplifier features an improved power supply that provides superior speaker driving capability, and is compatible with lower impedance speakers. In addition to analog audio inputs, the PM6005 also fe..

Fleet Foxes [Vinyl]

It's now twenty years since grunge emerged from then culturally isolated Seattle and Fleet Foxes, the eponymous debut album from the city's latest heroes, demonstrates just how much American independent rock has mutated ..

Parts, Cleaning & Accessories

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Technics: Headshell for Technics 1200 - SILVER

Add shine to your deck with the silver Technics headshell. Fits most turntables with tonearms that accept screw-in headshells including all SL-1200 models, plus turntables by Stanton, Numark, Vestax, etc. and includes +4..

TechPlay Anti Static Carbon Fiber record and LP cleaner and washer with Stylus brush and record cleaning liquid set.

Step up to a better cleaner set for your vinyl. This high tech Carbon Fiber brush, not only cleans, also eliminates static charges on your valuable LPs. The carbon Fiber particles, much smaller than human hair, can get d..

TechPlay Anti Static Carbon Fiber record and LP cleaner and washer with Stylus brush and record cleaning liquid set.

Tetra-Teknica RB-01 Anti-Static Carbon Fiber LP Vinyl Record Brush

Made of high quality anti-static carbon fiber, the RB-01 is ideal for vinyl LP care and maintenance. It removes finest dust particles while eliminates the static at the same time. It's very easy and convenient to use. Ju..

TURNTABLE BELT FOR CROSLEY CR6004A CR6017A CR6019A CR66 CR67 CR69 CR70

Panic! At The Disco - Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! (Vinyl) 1"This Is Gospel" 3:072"Miss Jackson" 3:12 3"Vegas Lights" 3:10 4"Girl That You Love" 3:09 5..

TURNTABLE BELT FOR JCPENNEY 6205 6230 6400 6401 6500 6502 6710 MCS-6500 MCS-6502

Panic! At The Disco - Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! (Vinyl) 1"This Is Gospel" 3:072"Miss Jackson" 3:12 3"Vegas Lights" 3:10 4"Girl That You Love" 3:09 5..

TURNTABLE BELT FOR KENWOOD KD-1033 KD-1500 KD-1600 KD-2000 TT-P0

TURNTABLE BELT FOR KENWOOD KD-291A KD-291R KD-291RC KD-29R TT-224

TURNTABLE BELT FOR PIONEER PL-202AZ

TURNTABLE BELT FOR SANYO TP-728 TP-747 TP-808 TP-868 TP-1005 TP-1005A TP-1010

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

TURNTABLE BELT FOR SONY TP-6850 PS-LX200H PS-LX250H PS-LX295 WARRANTY NEW

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TURNTABLE BELT FOR TECHNICS SL-BD22 SL-BD1 SL-BD2 SL-BD21 SL-BD35 SL-HM42 SG-D10

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

TURNTABLE BELT FOR TECHNICS SL-L20 SL-B205 SL-B210 SL-B210-1 SL-301M SL-301MC

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

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

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..

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