PSA: remember to clean your LPs before playing them!
Playing a #vinyl I hadn’t in a while, I heard the song skipping a bit, which was pretty odd since I check mine before playing and it didn’t have any visible damages. Then the sound proceeded to get more crackling, and suspicious, I went to check.
Turns out that disc was tucked away long enough that the dust the needle was pulling was making the quality drop in real time, just as seen in the photo.
…that can’t be good for the diamond tip.
At least in my area, I’ve seen velvet fabric being used for cleaning LPs. From a quick search though, apparently microfiber is an option too? Would need to talk to someone from this niche to confirm though.
And probably I’m discovering the wheel just now in comparison to the majority here, but hopefully this helps someone. <.<
I’ve been using Vinyl Clear and microfibre cloths to clean mine.
They sell a kit that comes with everything: https://vinylclear.com/products/vinyl-record-restoration-cleaning-fluid-kit-150ml-make-your-vinyl-lps-pop-and-click-free-again
I’ve cleaned about 160 LPs and 30ish 45s and have enough fluid left to at least do the same again.
Can’t recommend it enough, I’ve had records go from unplayable to some of the best I own.
The stylus cleaning fluid has also come in handy a few times.
Great recommendation, especially when buying used records. Although even new ones can have a lot of dust on then. New ones often have a strong static charge, and then every dust particle in the room gets sucked right onto it.
I bought a GrooveWasher cleaning kit when I first started collecting, and I still haven’t used up the spray bottle yet. Comes with a stylus cleaning brush, too. https://www.groovewasher.com/collections/cleaning-kits/products/record-stylus-care-system
The cleaning process seems to statically discharge them, too, which is nice.
Bonus: the needle after the dust is pulled off.
If you can pinch a string of the dust ball without pinching the needle too, and pull it in the direction the needle points, it should come off effortles.
