The 2 accessories every new record collector needs
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video I run down the 2 accessories every new record collector needs. What do you think?
#vinyl #records #accessories
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caution using fluid on any modern stylus, Ortofon advises not to use fluids.... so don't do it 😎👍🏼 keep on spinnin'💪🏼
While I’m already hip to these accessories (largely thanks to you), I still love that you revisit these topics for the latest crop of folks new to the hobby. It was so wonderful, and helpful to me at a time when I was a collector, who knew little to nothing about accessories, gear, care, storage, styli…
It may now be old news to me, but I truly appreciate the fact that you haven’t moved past being a shepherd to those who need or want one.
*Side note, a subtle thank you (you know what you did), and an aside; I envy how deep your Donnas collection goes. I got the reissue of their first this past year, but as of now, that’s where my personal curation ends (due to scarcity and growing prices).
Nice.
Best to ya. Today and every. 😎👊❤️
Thanks Chris. The original Donnas stuff is getting sooooo hard to find. Have a great week.
One more absolute necessity; a stylus protractor. Proper alignment makes a big difference.
I use a Spin Clean on all of my records. After that, every time I play them I use the Audioquest carbon fiber brush, the newer one with the gold contacts. To clean my stylus I used the Onzow Zero Dust after every side.
There's been study's done on the Onzow damaging stylus. I stopped using mine. Search TH-cam there's videos about it
@@bluecream444 There was a scare but nothing conclusive.
I can see the buildup on my stylus from experimenting with it. It's a personal choice but won't risk my equipment
@@NeilBulk I thought they concluded that it was a type ingredient (an oil, I think) used in the gel that was the culprit.
@@TheHammerofDissidence Where was this? I know Michael Fremer recently raised an alarm about it.
I've been using the Audio Technica AT6012 Record Care Kit. It has a directional velvet fabric similar to the original Discwasher. It has a rounded surface that picks up the dust and keeps it there until you wipe it off with the included storage base/dust wiper. Also comes with cleaning solution. Has worked great for me.
100%
the groovewasher didn’t work for me at all. the microfibers didn’t reach to the bottom of the grooves and it left the fluid to dry in them, so when i played the record it got dug out and collected on the stylus. also the brush scratched my record and made a few permanent crackles. i used it exactly as instructed and it just made everything worse. actual wet cleaning (like spin clean) and carbon fiber brush are the only way to go. get a carbon fiber stylus brush too but don’t use any liquid because it’s supposedly bad for the stylus.
I use the Ortofon Blue cartridge and they say specifically NOT to use any fluid on their stylus. I just use a brush. I use to use the Onzow but found it was leaving gunk on my stylus. And of course I’ve been using a Spin Clean for years.
I agree with Neil Bulk.....Spin Clean for the win. Best money I ever spent to clean my vinyl/
The Spin Clean is a good thing to have, for sure.
I just found a box of my old records from 30+ years ago! I thought they were long gone. Tons of 45s too. Merry Christmas to me.
My favorite Record Cleaning Brush is made by Kaiu. It looks like a standard brush, but it is electrically conductive. It will remove static with no problems from a LP, as it sweeps out the grooves. The Kaiu brush also came with a stylus brush. I would not use a stylus cleaning fluid, as they can effect the cartridge.
I do use a Spin Clean with either distilled or dionized water. The Spin Clean is step two of my record cleaning process. Step one is to remove the set in dust and dirt by soaking the LP in warmish dish water. I cover the lables with a set if acrylic discs and let the LP soak fir a few minutes and wipe it down with an older Spin Clean brush. After I rinse the LP off, it goes into the Spin Clean and then I let it air dry for abot 20 minutes, and wipe off any remaining beaded water with a clean soft towel. Clean, static free LPs with almost no surface noise is the result.
For cleaning a Billy Joel and Phil Collins vinyl albums I usually recommend an industrial belt sander. I find it removes every speck of grime from the LP. All though I hear that good results can be achieved by cleaning those LPs in an incinerator.
I like that last paragraph. 😅
I employ your Billy Joel technique to Beatles records thanks for the tip works wonders!
Lol
@Vince Tasciotti
I completely agree about Billy Joel & Phil Collins cleaning method. That was brilliant my friend.
Love that Donnas record. ❤
I use an Audioquest anti-static carbon fiber brush and I had been using an Onzow Zerodust for years until I recently learned that apparently it leaves behind a residue that can stick to the stylus and potentially damage it and/or your records so I switched to dry brushing a stylus. I might try an ultrasonic stylus cleaner in the future. I use the Spin Clean for deep cleaning and I have used it for all 3 sizes of records and it works great. My only gripes are that occasionally a roller might try to pop out, sometimes it's hard to pull thicker records back out (shellac 78s, 180/200g vinyl, etc.), and the feet aren't exactly the most stable at times but the system is quite effective. I use a heavy-duty filtered water bottle to filter water and use that, not distilled water like most people. The fact I can't even taste the minerals or anything anymore afterwards made me confident enough to use that for record cleaning.
Great video;
I have 2 essentials
A vintage Discwasher directional brush and the accompanying stylus cleaner.
i Frank, great video again. For stylus cleaning I use an Audio Technica AT-637 Ultrasonic Stylus cleaner. The best stylus cleaner I have ever tried (after 50 yrs of record collecting I have tried just about everything. On word of advice on the Onzow and similar, these things apparently can leave a residue buildup on the stylus. I also still use my trusty original Discwasher D4 brush from the 70's. Find this is best of its type, Groovewasher next best. I also use a Maxell battery vacuum unit with record de-stat brush on it every time before I play a record. Also use a VinylStyl deep groove tank (like SpinClean but uses brushes instead of pads. One tip with the SpinClean: clean the pads regularly because grit can embed itself into the pads and scratch records. I also use a custom built ultrasonic multi frequency cleaner with special brushes to clean deep in the grooves. Also have a custom built non contact vacuum unit. I guess I am a little (a lot actually) obsessive about clean records. BTW I have no connection with any of the companies listed or any other audio accessories company. Just have lots of experience with these crazy round things we call records. I also thoroughly clean all new records I buy, they can be dirtier than used ones. Madly obsessed I guess so............Enjoy the music.
I never use a brush for cleaning. After i buy a record I clean it with the Knosti spin cleaner. After that i put the record in an anti-static sleeve.
Before and after I play a record I use a hand air blower on batteries to blow of the few dust particles that are on the record. Super easy. I find the main downside of using a brush is spreading it or if you push to hard damaging the record (yes that can happen).
Wet clean and antistat gun is a game changer. Cleaning fluid on records in my opinion just gunks up the grooves
Wet clean and static gun is great - good stuff, for sure (as noted in the vid) - but may not be reasonable for a newbie, IMO.
same for me. groovewasher cleaning kit did nothing but leave gunk in the grooves and scratch my records.
A bubble level. Many < $30. If your table is level you're helping the stylus track the grooves correctly. That reduces wear on your records and stylus.
If you have a conventional cartridge & headshell you need an alignment protractor (free PDF prints online; $10 or less for a doodad) and a stylus force gauge < $20.
Keep with the Vinyl Frank !!!!
Quality Inner and outer sleeves. Then even though it pricey for us in Europe and the UK but a vinyl reamer, something to expand the spindle hole. I remember getting a copy of my favourite album of all time which had never been released on vinyl until that point and then having to wait a couple of weeks because the spindle hole was too tight.
That record behind your right shoulder, ABSOLUTE CLASSIC!
So good....
Actually for the few records I do listen from time to time (I listen mostly to CDs) I use an Audio Anatomy carbon fiber brush before every listening and a stylus brush after every listening.
The results are excellent. At first I was really surprised. Practically the only surface noise that remains is from the scratches if there are any (my records are all old releases). If there aren't the listening is almost as enjoyable as listening to a CD, with the added feel of a vinyl record of course (they do not sound the same obviously...).
So carbon fiber brushes work (at least for me) but it is important to find a really good model.
I also use polylined antistatic iner sleeves which also contribute hugely to keeping the records free of dust. And very careful handling while taking the record out or inserting it in.
It may all seem like a big hustle but...it has its charm. 😉🙂
snap, crackle and pop gives a record character!
I use distilled water and a small amount of clear diswashing liquid.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works well
Yes, I know many people who say they don't mind the snap, crackle and pop. Personally, I will do whatever I can to avoid it.
@@Channel33RPM I say that semi-facetiously. As long as it is not too egregious, I don't mind.
To paraphrase John Peel~life has surface noise!
I recently spin cleaned all my records, less than 200. so much less gunk on the stylus. Now every record purchase gets put in a separate nook on my shelves until I have about 10 then I spin clean them. After that inner and outer sleeves. A quick brush with a carbon brush before play. I check the stylus every couple of records for lint.
Sounds like a good routine.
Apparently the Onzow has fallen out of favor. Leaves a residue on the stylus and cantilever.
I have read those concerns. I think it was initially Michael Fremer who raised the issue. I have not had any problems, but who knows...? I am proceeding with caution.
Don’t DRAG it, just press it.
Thanks for another video like this. A friend of mine who's 61 likes the snap, crackle and pop but I tend to not but for him it's bound up in his nostalgic memory of playing them as a child.
I'd just swap out the brush for a record roller.
I've been using a carbon brush more than my velvet brush and it seems to work well but is it doing damage? Waiting patiently for your video about it and willing to learn more. I also clean all of my records with the Spin Clean system and that really helped rejuvenate my older albums which some are over 50 years old (70's).
carbon fiber brushes are the best for ur records if used correctly
I also clean both used and new before the first play. good inner and outer sleeves. good brush and fluid. deep cleaner like spin clean. I stopped using the onzo stylus cleaner because of statements that it leaves a residue behind that maybe harmful.
I have heard those same concerns, regarding the Onzo.
I got 2 old discwasher brushes and whatever the other one is. It feels like velvet. But those old ones got to be, 40 years old? The fabric is still good. And that's all that matters. I use one when I really soak an album.
Fuzzy Wuzzy from Dollarama is the best thing for cleaning 45s. It's for blinds. But worked great for 45s. I cleaned over 200 doing it that way.
I used those brushes with fluid back in the day and would buy that combination again if I got back into vinyl. On a recent visit to a local record store I asked the owner about record cleaning gear and he suggested a slightly damp microfibre cloth. I used to have one of those anti-static guns too, and it did the job.
I use a vintage Discwasher brush (dry) before I play a record to remove any little particles. For wet cleaning, I use the Audio-Technica Record Care Solution with the Discwasher brush. I've found it to be the closest to (if not the same as) the old D4 formula. It leaves the record clean with no residue. I also use a stylus brush after each record, but only dry. I store almost all my records in MoFi inner sleeves unless they come with their own poly-lined sleeves.
A lot of new vinyls that just come in the paper inner sleve drives me nuts. When there's so much static you can barely pull it out, them once you do they are covered in paper bits. This drives me nuts!
it’s stupid that poly sleeves aren’t industry standard by now, they barely cost more than paper sleeves and are infinitely better
Hi from the 🇬🇧. I agree with everything you've said Frank. I'm using a Technics SL1200gr, and I also, always, put the lid down during playback. It's on a dedicated wall shelf, which I also consider essential to combat vibration.
Why would you put your lid down during playback? That seems odd...
Great topic as there are so many products out there. I agree on the items recommended. Congrats on 50k! Onward to 100k
Thanks!
A person should definitely get a record cleaning brush, preferably one which is used with cleaning fluid. I used the DiscWasher brush for decades.
Many new quality cartridges used to come with all the mounting hardware, a screwdriver and a stylus cleaning brush.
When I used to use mainly record brushes, dust would still build up on the stylus, so I would have to clean the stylus after each play(and sometimes it would make it through one play without the stylus collecting so much dust that the stylus would start skipping or just plain sound bad.
The quick cure for removing dust from a record is 'canned air'. As long as the record isn't charged with static electricity, 'canned air' works good.
Static electricity. Vinyl records can generate statis electricity just from being played. Most new records come statically charged, especially in those fancy lined inner sleeves. Just like rubbing a balloon on your head will do, as a record is slid out of the inner sleeve, it becomes charged. When sliding it back in generates a static electrical charge.
Take a brand new sealed record which comes in a lined inner sleeve, like Mofi and Analogue Productions. Open the album, pull the inner sleeve out with the record in it. Hold the inner sleeve by the bottom corners(opposite the opened side. Hold the inner sleeve, with the open end straight down(OVER SOMETHING SOFT FOR THE RECORD TO FALL ON). Most of the time the record won't come or fall out. When you are done with the record, you will often find it hard to open the inner sleeve to put the record back in. It's kinda like trying to open those plastic bags at a grocery store.
If a record comes with lined inner sleeves, it's OK to use them, but if they don't, it's best to not subject your records to them. The good 'ol paper sleeves are fine and those made of rice paper are even better.
Any of the carbon fiber record brushes will also charge a record with static electricity. Make sure that the carbon fiber brush is grounded to it's handle (with an exposed metal strip where you hold the bush) and make sure YOU are grounded. It's often useful to have a ZeroStat gun handy if you are a critical listener.
Wet-cleaning/vacuum-drying record cleaning machines are a real plus. Not only do they clean a record, they also neutralize static electricity. NEVER air-dry a wet-cleaned record. As it dries, it becomes statically changed and then start attracting dust out of the air. With the 1,000's of records in my collection, it became a necessity to have as automated a record cleaning machine as I could afford. I ended up getting a slightly used VPI HW-17 machine for less than half price. It even came with a nearly full bottle of cleaning fluid. If I was goin to buy an RCM today, I would go for one made by Pro-Ject or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Since using an RCM and 'canned air', no more dust balls forming of a stylus.
Good post as always, Frank. First, the record sleeving method you use between outer and inner sleeves (I use Diskeeper for both) and storing them as you do with the disc behind the jacket. The Onzow bubble is what I use for stylus cleaning. It's the easiest and best I've found.
As far as cleaning goes, I'm going to put forward a theory some people won't agree with, but here goes. If you number your record collection in the hundreds, a good wet cleaning system is a worthwhile investment because your record collection is just that: an investment.
Before I bought one single piece of gear for my 2-channel stereo system, I invested in a VPI 16.2 and cleaning fluids for same. What that machine is capable of can be downright amazing. Unless a record is really scratched, it can take a used record up between 1 and 2 levels in terms of standard grading (e.g. a VG becomes a VG+ very easily).
Yes it takes time to clean that many records, and the machine and fluids aren't cheap, but you clean an album once and you don't have to do it again for years. Plus it can be a relaxing, mindful experience (cleaning a record) if you approach it that way.
Between the investment in the media and the stereo itself, taking good care of the records is a no brainer in my book. You've invested time and money in your system and you should get the most out of it. Really clean records help you get the return on your investment. YMMV.
I use a record cleaning vacuum machine, then two ultrasonic baths: 1st is 40 kHz, then 132 kHz to get deep into the grooves.
Digging that Donnas album in the shelf. I met the band back when that album was fresh out on the market. Lots of backstage debauchery that I can't mention here,but those gals were super fun and super talented, it's sad they broke up and something tells me they'll never return as a band.
Nice. You nailed it!
Everytime you say get into the groove I hear Madonna, lol
Get up on your feet, yeah!
Step to the beat
You need to mention that both old and new records, if never cleaned, will have a static charge on them that attracts dusts and particles that will cause physical damage to the record when played, I have some used records that were never cleaned and they are very noisy even after a good cleaning, meaning they have been permanently damaged by being played while particles were in the grooves which caused permanent damage, meaning noise that cannot be removed. Also we have to keep in mind that even brand new records will have pops and clicks even after an initial cleaning to break the static charge and release particles that got into the groves in the packaging and opening. This is due to the manufacturing process, and is just a part of playing a record, especially in a high fidelity system that reveals not only all the high end nuances of the music program, but also all the surface noise of the record. You are spot on about the water based record cleaning brushes, I have one I have been using for many decades, and the records I have kept clean using it for my LP's since the 80's still sound quite good, and record noise has increased only marginally over the many years, in fact some of them sound surprisingly quite given how many decades I have owned and played them. I wet clean my records only occasionally, and then upon each play I will give them a quick dry clean with the brush.
Hi Frank, I tend to use the carbon fibre brush first to get the dust and gunk from the grooves, then give them a wipe with the felt brush and spray. I love the spin clean kit and have a batch of records to do this weekend. Took your tip and bought a cheap plate draining stand to put the records on to dry. I use the moon gel pads for the stylus- another top tip of yours !! keep on spinnin
Looking forward to the video about carbon fiber brush, aren't those standard issue?
Well Frank, I think your recommendations to those looking to partake in the record collecting-turntable hobby are exactly what I would have recommended. They will definitely need both brushes as well as good quality inner and outer record jackets. You know the static gun is a good investment as well as one of your videos points out.
Thanks James!
Great tips. Love how practical and cost conscience they are. With reservation, due to cost, I would say a high-end ultra - sonic cleaner is a worthy investment. Another item that comes mind is a record flattener. This of course is dependent on the scope of your record collection. If it is modest, then what has already been mentioned is all that is truly needed. Good job.
Thanks - I was trying to keep it at the very basics from the absolutely newbie. Good info, cheers!
Limited to two things:
A Löfgren B 2 points arch alignment for your specific TT spindle to pivot distance.
And a spin cleaner.
Using a disco antistat,, but make my own cleaning fluid,, alcohol,, Ilford wetting agent and distilled water,, just spin between the goats hair brushes and put in the rack to dry,,had superb results..Then into a mo-fi inner sleeve...
Nice routine.
I use a dishwasher brush everytime I spin a record and spin clean them when I get them.
I was getting anxious about not hearing nothing about inner sleeves.. the cleaning accessories should always go first but i remembering getting SOOOOOO anxious when i first started and didn't have MoFi sleeves so i would just put them on their paper sleeves which leave particles so every single time i wanted to listening a record it would come with paper particles... that drove me crazy for a while
I did it with Lenco Clean! Now Analogis!
The first accessory i got was a hama stylus cleaner, it comes in a bottle and the brush looks like a fashion accessory but it did the job well and I still recommend them, even after using a gel cleaner they don't get everything off.
Great advice frank, couldn’t have said it better myself.
Thanks 👍
I don't want any Crosley turntable but I have a Crosley brush that also came with a lil stylus brush. It does a bang up job. Something like that would be my go to #1 accessory. A Spin Clean would probably be number two.
Side note: I always tell people to invest invest in good inner and outer sleeves as soon as they get serious about the hobby. It's so much more daunting financially and as a project if you push it off until the collection gets big.
Great advice, Eric. Thank you.
I re-started to collect vinyl again and got the Big Fudge combo. I think the brush is too "Bulky" I remember 40 years ago I had one I liked and easy to handle and do the job, paired with an "anti-static" chemical cleaning aerosol with a nice particular smell :)
I agree with the carbon fiber brushes... They don't work for me. Actually I can see the dust cluttering on the vinyl instead.
Hi Frank, I think you are spot on with those recommendations. The only thing I haven't invested in yet is the inner sleeves. I don't have a huge collection, so I think it is probably something I should get and start using.
For static I'm using a quies cheap electric lighter just over the top of my records.⚡
I use a cheap goat bristle kids hair brush between proper cleans ... fine enough to get the non engrained rubbish off. I'll be sure to check out the Groove Washer as well ... there's no perfect answer at the end of the day!
Great video Brother Thanks for sharing Your passion for collecting records. Your advice I agree with 💯😀👍♥️🇨🇦
Great advice!
Thanks for watching!
Great video awesome ideas I just like to throw one thing in that I like to use is a goat hair brush and it works really well not expensive mine's basically with the goat hairs on it with a block of wood and it works real good because goat hair has such a fine hair that gets very tight in the grooves thank you again for your knowledge and keep on spinning 🤘😛
Elmer's Glue.
anti static inner sleeves and microfiber fabric brush and a record cleaning machine
Love the groove washer
Love the channel and you always have great topics, I have gotten away from the stylus cleaner that is like a gel, I heard and saw that it can leave a gunk like substance on you stylus, what is your take. I first saw this on the Vinyl Attack channel.
I have read about the concerns with the Onzow Zerodust. I use it more sparingly now, pending more information.
for years i’ve been wrecking my records with the inner sleeves
Some solid advice Frank . I’m going to share in Recordhaulics group
Thanks for sharing!!
Use my spin clean for the first clean and still have my Dishwasher after that
I stopped collecting records after 20 years. I stopped in 1984 when the CD came out. Enough said. 👍👍👍
The stylus cleans the grooves already.
😂
I have the Big Fudge brush set and it’s great
Excellent advice Frank!!
Thanks dude!
I like the carbon fiber brush, does a good job, what don’t you like about them ?
I miss my Discwasher...I ordered the Groove washer and the styles brush...ty
Those old school Discwashers were the best! The Groovewasher comes close. Not as good, but as good as it gets nowadays (especially for under $50).
so if the 'snap, crackle, pop' ruins your listening experience, would that make it a cereal killer.....stay well my friend...peace...rocky
Zing!!!!
You forgot to be sub to this channel
The Onzow....some documented evidence on TH-cam that it CAN leave a residue on your stylus. But the arguments are all over the place as to WHY it does that on some and not all styli. I've seen some pretty horrific way owners are cleaning the Onzow and maybe breaking down the gel. And then there's the theory that there's variation at the company between batches. I use a real microscope all the time dealing with play residue on the stylus....never seen a problem from the Onzow, but I'm not cleaning it with Dawn or other harsh detergents. I found that for me, the Groove Washer's stylus brush and cleaner are doing the job perfectly, so I retired the Onzow. But if you're recording off your records, you have to invest in a RCM. The G.E.M. Dandy RCM by Merrill is messy, but does as good a job as any of the uber expensive mechanical RCM's. But the science in clearly there for the record USC machines. Unfortunately the prices for good ones are thousands. Except for the new Humminguru. But in tests, it's not as effective as its more expensive brethren. In this case, you get what you pay for.
i use a junior toothbrush for my stylus, soft hairs and no 20 bucks
Is there such a thing as a carbon fiber brush that doesn’t shed its fibers??
what do you think about buying the new Regar RP1 in the US?
Certainly not to disparage but what people new to vinyl need isnt accessories it's advice. Advice number one, when you get your turntable go ahead and immediately either sell it or throw it in the trash. Advice number two- go out and get yourself a cd player and an external dac. advice number three -now that you've got your music source settled go ahead and enjoy music without the ritual and those pesky issues.
Hi, what outer and inner sleeves do you use?
Rega advise not to use any fluid to be on the stylus brush...The Milty is essential with an air rocket. I found record brushes completely useless and leave damaging bristle hairs on the record.
More money and a lot more money
Haha, indeed!
Yes, nothing nostalgic about crackles and pops.
Frank, this is probably the strangest hack you will ever hear. But I don't seem to have this problem. And I think the reason may be because I have an inexpensive $30. VIBE SOUND. It's as if it's not sensitive enough to pick up unwanted noise.
Agreed!
What…. don’t use Carbon fibre, that’s all I’ve been using for 40 years, on my 4 th. one but I swear by them, no fluid and felt brush on my records. Records I bought in the 70’s and 80’s still look
mint. Always kept in jacket covers, that makes all the difference. 😎
Have an Onzow, love it but the recent reports that it destroys the stylus is a concern.
Nice to hear the mention of Bags Unlimited. They're located nearby (in Rochester, New York -- we also have the great great House of Guitars nearby!) and they're nice to work with. One other point: the way you sleeve your records! What the heck?? I'm talking about your outer sleeves. You showed us a Beatles record with the opening of the sleeve opposite the "spine" of the album cover. I cringed as I watched you slide that arrangement back into the shelf, knowing the outer sleeve would catch on the adjacent sleeves and the album cover would start sliding out of the sleeve. if someone stores their records in crates (open at the top) so they can flip through them, your outer sleeve arrangement makes perfect sense. If records are shelved the way you have them, the opening of the sleeve should be at the top of the jacket to prevent that catch-and-slide problem. I used to crate them, now I shelve them, and as a result I had to rotate all of my outer sleeves! Good thing my vinyl collection is small.
I was too lazy to shoot new b-roll, so the clip you refer to is from this video, where I talk about how I sleeve records (with the opening on the top). I must have used my clip of what happens if you sleeve records with the opening on the side.
th-cam.com/video/fGpG2tT1zcg/w-d-xo.html
Well, that's a relief! :-)
I clean my records as it effects sound. Inner and outta sleeves are a waste of money for mine though. I’ve never had a record damaged by a paper or standard sleeve. Neither has my father’s almost 60 year old collection. Just be careful when handling and storing your records and it’s all good. No harm in using them. But I’d hardly say it’s essential. If it was my father and my collections would have major issues. And they don’t.
I guess it depends why you are collecting. My record collection will die with me. So resale value of mint covers is of no concern. My collection is not an investment. It’s a hobby.
Cartridge manufacturers recommend to never use any kind of liquid on your stylus
Nice. Frank how many cleans does the washer fluid last before you have to get a new bottle of fluid? Does it say how many cleans it takes?
That, I don't know. It lasts quite awhile. I have a large refill bottle, which I use to fill up the small spray bottle when needed.
Hey Frank! I just got my 1st set of Kallix (3X4 cubes) and remember you were talking about the record stoppers for each cube to keep records tidy and in the same depth! Can you share the link! Thanks brother!
Shoot... I can't remember what that was. I fastened 1x3 lumber to the back of my units for the same purpose, and also to faster the cabinets to the wall.
I'm a fan of the Hunt EDA Mark 6 Record Cleaning Brush. It's a dual carbon fiber brush with a velvet pad in between the brushes.
Does that GrooveWasher cleaner have the directional fabric that picks up dust like a cowcatcher like the original DiscWasher brushes had? That was the best wet brush when it first came out. Edit: I just found your original GrooveWasher review video from May 2016. You've gotten a lot better. 😄
It does not have the directional fabric, unfortunately (at least not the one I have).
@@Channel33RPM Yep. I found the video of your 2016 review which mentions that right away.
I do most of this myself every time I put an LP or record on. I have been using a carbon fiber brush but I was wondering what the difference was between those types and the other? I definitely get the album cover sleeves and inner record sleeves for every album as well and I do clean new records before I ever playing them. I want to get something like a VPI but I seriously can't afford it. I'm legally blind and I'm a little nervous about the Spin Clean? I'm not 100% sure how it works or even if it holds the LPs up like the picture looked like it did. I guess you just put distilled water in it each time and then clean a few records? How many can you clean before you need to replace the water? I'm glad you mentioned the direction on cleaning the stylus needle. I've been using one of those brushes that came with an electric shaver and is made to clean out any hair inside of the razor when you pop open the door. I just blow the razor out but I use that brush on the needle. I'm guessing this is okay? It's got to be better than not using anything? I also have some sort of wax looking, comes in something that looks like Carmex would be in it, canister that you put on the platter and then put your needle into it. I'm a little nervous about using that but it did come with the microfiber brush and I'm not sure how often I'm supposed to use that or even clean the needle. I still have a lot of questions and I've only been back into collecting vinyl again since July of 2021. But I've been buying a ton of new and used records and I can tell a difference. I do think I have a static issue at times, depending upon the weather especially, and I wonder if there is something that can truly remove static from LPs 100%? I hate wondering if it's something dirty on the LP, a defect, a scratch, or just static :-) Thanks for the videos!
Spinclean is a very good product! I've been using it for years. Fairly cheap and easy to use. There is no real "rule" regarding how many records you can wash with one batch of water. It really depends on how dirty the records are. If they are particularly filthy, you might only wash a couple of records, but if they're not too bad you can easily wash 15 or 20.
A Zerostat gun works wonders for static electricity. Not very expensive and they last a long time. Zerostat just shoots ions, so there is no fluid or anything to get on your records.
As far as cleaning the stylus, I mainly use a small brush. Although I do occasionally use Silly Putty (in a small shallow container) It's the same basic idea as the wax like substance you mentioned. I lower the stylus onto the Silly Putty and let it sink in a tiny bit, then I quickly raise the stylus again. Any dust or debris will stick to the Silly Putty.
As for me personally, I would also recommend a tracking force gauge (scale). This will ensure that you are using the correct tracking force, as sometimes the little number dial on the counterweight isn't all that accurate. I splurged and got one that is accurate to 1/100th of a gram 🕵️♂️ Although a gauge that is accurate to 1/10th of a gram should be just fine (Lol! I'm just one of those guys that has to go to the extreme. Same thing with my cartridge and my Phono preamp)
@@elmoredneal5382 Thank you for the very helpful information. I'll have to look at the Zerstatic gun. I just got the Spin Clean record cleaner and got it in yesterday through Amazon. The price had dropped by about $12 from what it was the day before so I figured it'd be a good time to get it. I'm just waiting now to be able to get up to a store and get some distilled water. I don't know if ammonia and chlorine are good for LPs but that's what it looks like is mixed in with the tap water here where I live. I figured it's better to play it safe. I sure appreciate you taking the time to reply back with the helpful information and I am going to look at the tracking force measuring tools as well.
Hi. I enjoyed you TH-cam video. Any opinions on using Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser sheets to clean your stylus?
Thanks! I have tried that method (very carefully), and it worked ok for me.
Which inner and outer sleeves do you suggest?
For inners, I love MoFi antistatic sleeves. For outer, I love the dual pocket sleeves from Vinyl Storage Solutions.
I personally would not advise to use any brush on records. Even if they advertise that they are antistatic, they will always introduce static. The reason is simple: friction on a vinyl record will introduce static. It is way better to wet clean your records. And when they get dirty again, simply wet clean them again. Even a simple and cheap Knosti will do the job just fine. Apart from a good clean, a wet cleaning cycle also removes static from the record. Also, I would not advice to use any wet cleaning materials on the stylus. A simple brush will do (if you keep your records clean). This is advices a got from a documentary at the Ortofon company. In that documentary, an Ortofon engineer said never to use wet cleaning agents on a stylus because the chemicals could dissolve the glue on the stylus. Again, if you wet clean your records you will keep your stylus clean too. A special note if you buy secondhand records: while many secondhand records are in a poor state, I would recommend using an ultrasonic cleaning machine on those. You would be amazed how much junk an ultrasonic cleaner gets out of the grooves of secondhand records.
if u don’t use a brush at all then how are u supposed to get dust off the record before u play it?
@@hypnagogue Care, it is all about care. I wet clean every new record (I don't buy secondhand) and store my records in protective inner sleeves. Wet cleaning records does wonders: if removes any dirt and dust and it removes static. No static means that the records will attract way less dust and dirt. Using good inner sleevs means that the record will not collect paper dust (from the paper inner sleeves). The album sleeve receives a protective outer sleeve. I use all Vinyl Storage Solutions products for that. The records are very well protected against dust. They are stored correctly. When a record is on my turntable the turntable lit is closed to minimize dust collection. And whenever the record has captured some dust again, I wet clean it again.
@@pascalhibon7928 still tho, doesn’t dust thats just normally in a room get on ur records? i always brush that off
@@hypnagogue not very much. While playing a record I keep the lid of the turntable closed. And as soon as I'm done paying a record it goes back in its sleeves. It is all about care, care and care.
How doo you clean the cloth on the brush???
Groovewasher advises to remove the pad and dip the it into a bowl of distilled water and squeeze the pad repeatedly
I'm sure you know the original Discwasher brush is superior, to the Groovewasher, but no longer made. Stylus cleaning fluid, can be isopropyl alcohol. Been using it for 40 years, with no issues. You don't need a special fluid.
What brand alcohol do you recommend so that I can look into this. Thank you
I still have my original directional Discwasher but the leading edge is worn out after decades of use. Too bad they don't make them like they used to.
Discwasher is my No. 1. Nice ones are getting hard to find. I did an entire episode on it: th-cam.com/video/HbwRopOj9Kg/w-d-xo.html
@@Channel33RPM Thanks Frank.
I would recommend the Onzow Zerodust, especially for newbies to the vinyl hobby. It’s much safer than using a stylus brush that could all too easily damage your stylus and/or cantilever if you’re not careful.
Also: I’ve tried other brands of gel stylus cleaners. None of them worked as well as the Onzow. These other brands are cheaper, but this is exactly an example of you get what you pay for. Pay a few more dollars for a Zerodust. Your stylus will thank you!!!
Lastly (I promise): you didn’t address the topic of where you store your records. If people don’t already have shelves they can put them on, record crates are a good option. And for the budget minded, I recommend getting the small boxes from Walmart. They’re good, sturdy boxes that can hold up to approximately 70-75 albums each. I use these boxes, and they’re perfect for record storage. I should say that I’ve found that the medium and large boxes are too deep to be practical. The small boxes are the baby bear whose porridge is just right!!! 😀😀😀