My Philco and Pearl Jam Vinyl

wecrazybob

So I have been dying to ask this question. The whole subject fascinates me, the thinG was I couldn't ask till I got through all my records... Anywho, Got an old Philco modelJ125 record player. It's the kind that folds up and carries like a suitcase. It's identicle to the one I grew up playing! Anyway, PLAYING all my Pearl Jam vinyl on it and most of them play great. However there are a tiny few that play horrible (keep in mind these all play great on my component record player) So my question for you all is do you have any idea why these records skip. Now the guy who restored my Philco put a whole new head on it. He recommended since I play alot of "Newer Records" not sure what is different that makes them skip with the original head.

Play Poorly
Backspacer
Ten (original pressing)
Vs (original pressing)
Yield
No Code
Vitalogy (orginal Pressing)

Play freaking great
Ten (rereleases)
Vs/Vitalogy (rereleases)
Temple of the Dog
Binural
pj20
Riot Act
Ukelele
Pearl Jam/alvacodo
Lightning Bolt (Fixed version)
Live on 2 and 10 legs
all the 45's and 10"

OH AND SHAMELESS REQUEST, I STILL NEED LOST DOGS IF SOMEONE WANTS TO TRADE OR SELL!

Predaking

dust, dirt, bad needle... just some thoughts off the top. I clean every LP, new and used, prior to playing. I don't own one, but I am told if you use a vacuum device to pull the residual water off it makes an even bigger difference.

dankind

I'm with Predaking. Dust or debris are the likeliest candidates. The cartridge/stylus and the tracking function are inferior on all-in-one record players vs. component turntables.

Locate the spots where you are getting skips, stop the record and inspect under a bright light with a magnifying glass if you have one handy. Chances are you'll see some schmutz there. For starters, try to wipe it off with a dust cloth. If it's caked on, use a toothpick, being sure to go with the grooves. Should solve your problem. Invest in a cleaning system/agent (maybe not a vacuum one, as those cost about as much as or more than a good turntable) or check out a diy youtube video on how to do it with stuff you might have handy around the house.

I have an old Led Zeppelin III that's warped as hell in spots, but my turntable handles it just fine. I imagine if I put that on your Philco, the needle would likely jump/scratch to the runout on impact.

In a related note, I bought a 54-year-old children's record the other day, no inner sleeve, visible scuffs all over the wax (like I said, it was a children's record; this thing was put through the ringer), but the sonofabitch played beautifully. Point being: They just don't make them like they used to, and pressings from about 1987 to about 2000 are more likely to have manufacturing flaws.

weeble

If skipping, maybe there is slight vibration? If it's an oldie player, could it be a minuscule wobble in the rotation? Could try a turntable weight/record clamp, keep the disc tighter to the surface. Hmmm...

wecrazybob

Just thought it wasn't a coincidence that the first 5 records skip (and when I say skip I mean jump) and the later records don't . Of course "Backspacer" is a mystery, I thought that one would play beautifully since it was pressed so recently. Considering buying a new copy of Backspacer, since its still in the shop, and try playing that. My guess is it will skip too. I will definitely try the vacuum idea, but I really doubt that will work work. I opened up a brand new copy of a repressing of "Appetite for Destruction" and put it on the Philco, it skipped like hell, so I am guessing this "problem" has little to do with how clean my records are and more to do with how they were pressed. I am also going to take it back to the repair man and see if he has any feedback. With that said, I am really only bummed about not playing No Code on this thing (sad face) Thanks for the insight folks!