The Band-S/T
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Audioslave-Out of Exile(on blue wax)........Haven't listened to this in awhile, but dug it a good bit when it came out
The Band-S/T
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Audioslave-Out of Exile(on blue wax)........Haven't listened to this in awhile, but dug it a good bit when it came out
Love The Band - I got the Last Waltz a few weeks ago - actually I think that will be next in line for my current vinyl cleaning regime - I'm on a roll currently! Breathing new life into tired wax. I'm only doing it on records I'm unhappy with though, because sometimes you can lose some of the magic. Love Audioslave - I really gotta get their debut on vinyl soon. Enjoy!
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The Band-S/T
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Audioslave-Out of Exile(on blue wax)........Haven't listened to this in awhile, but dug it a good bit when it came out
Love The Band - I got the Last Waltz a few weeks ago - actually I think that will be next in line for my current vinyl cleaning regime - I'm on a roll currently! Breathing new life into tired wax. I'm only doing it on records I'm unhappy with though, because sometimes you can lose some of the magic. Love Audioslave - I really gotta get their debut on vinyl soon. Enjoy!
I always liked a few tunes by The Band, then I seen the "Classic Albums" about the S/T album and I realized how good they are.
I've got Audioslave's 1st on my wishlist too. I was lookin for one more less expensive vinyl to add to the cart or I woulda went with it over Out of Exile.
“I know this song so well, I can smoke a cigarette, have a drink, brush my teeth, take a shit, and mow the lawn while singing it. But I'll only be doing a couple of those things during this version.”
The Band-S/T
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Audioslave-Out of Exile(on blue wax)........Haven't listened to this in awhile, but dug it a good bit when it came out
Love The Band - I got the Last Waltz a few weeks ago - actually I think that will be next in line for my current vinyl cleaning regime - I'm on a roll currently! Breathing new life into tired wax. I'm only doing it on records I'm unhappy with though, because sometimes you can lose some of the magic. Love Audioslave - I really gotta get their debut on vinyl soon. Enjoy!
I always liked a few tunes by The Band, then I seen the "Classic Albums" about the S/T album and I realized how good they are.
I've got Audioslave's 1st on my wishlist too. I was lookin for one more less expensive vinyl to add to the cart or I woulda went with it over Out of Exile.
Sounds good.
Dewie, did you pick up the Vs / Vitalogy vinyl remasters? I've avoided them so far, but I'm curious about what they have done to them. You have a good ear for stuff like that. Personally I am a bit cynical about the whole enterprise, especially since I already have great vinyl copies of those albums, which are pretty much perfect.
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Dewie, did you pick up the Vs / Vitalogy vinyl remasters? I've avoided them so far, but I'm curious about what they have done to them. You have a good ear for stuff like that. Personally I am a bit cynical about the whole enterprise, especially since I already have great vinyl copies of those albums, which are pretty much perfect.
Nah...I'm in the same boat. I got pretty decent deals on all the original presses when I first started with vinyl a few years ago.
From the reviews I've read they seem to be a little hotter, but I haven't actually heard them to compare. I'll have to get my buddy to bring his over to do a comparison some time.
Dewie, did you pick up the Vs / Vitalogy vinyl remasters? I've avoided them so far, but I'm curious about what they have done to them. You have a good ear for stuff like that. Personally I am a bit cynical about the whole enterprise, especially since I already have great vinyl copies of those albums, which are pretty much perfect.
Nah...I'm in the same boat. I got pretty decent deals on all the original presses when I first started with vinyl a few years ago.
From the reviews I've read they seem to be a little hotter, but I haven't actually heard them to compare. I'll have to get my buddy to bring his over to do a comparison some time.
Cool, I'd be interested in hearing your verdict when the time comes
Cancel my subscription to the Ressurection
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Dewie, did you pick up the Vs / Vitalogy vinyl remasters? I've avoided them so far, but I'm curious about what they have done to them. You have a good ear for stuff like that. Personally I am a bit cynical about the whole enterprise, especially since I already have great vinyl copies of those albums, which are pretty much perfect.
Nah...I'm in the same boat. I got pretty decent deals on all the original presses when I first started with vinyl a few years ago.
From the reviews I've read they seem to be a little hotter, but I haven't actually heard them to compare. I'll have to get my buddy to bring his over to do a comparison some time.
Cool, I'd be interested in hearing your verdict when the time comes
Here´s my opinion for what its worth.
From the collectible point of view, of course, there is no valid comparison. Sadly, I have no oringinal pressing to fully evaluate the remasters.
This being said, its obvious these are tweaked. For better or for worse. However, it gives some of us, unfortunate souls, the opportunity of owning these in vinyl platform, finally. And cheap! (compared to the originals, I´m afraid)
Now, I have compared the cds, that I have owned for well over a decade, with these vinyl 2011 editions, and to try to find the words for a decent essay about the comparisons of both would be foolish. All the fuzz about the loudness war is undenyably present on the cds. I am sure its audible in the new 2011 cds as well. I gave my vinyls a 60% volume on my soundsystem (wich is very loud) and I was satisfied. No oversaturation perceived, while the cds are unlistenable when I give them a 45% volume.
The collector´s ways are overwhelming. They will probably have both on their catalogue. So to each their own.
From the collectible point of view, of course, there is no valid comparison. Sadly, I have no oringinal pressing to fully evaluate the remasters.
This being said, its obvious these are tweaked. For better or for worse. However, it gives some of us, unfortunate souls, the opportunity of owning these in vinyl platform, finally. And cheap! (compared to the originals, I´m afraid)
Now, I have compared the cds, that I have owned for well over a decade, with these vinyl 2011 editions, and to try to find the words for a decent essay about the comparisons of both would be foolish. All the fuzz about the loudness war is undenyably present on the cds. I am sure its audible in the new 2011 cds as well. I gave my vinyls a 60% volume on my soundsystem (wich is very loud) and I was satisfied. No oversaturation perceived, while the cds are unlistenable when I give them a 45% volume.
The collector´s ways are overwhelming. They will probably have both on their catalogue. So to each their own.
Thanks force-10 - wise words - and good to hear some feedback on these on the vinyl. I have missed any such discussions on the Porch, if there have been any, because I haven't taken much interest in the remasters. I will probably stick to the originals for now - which I don't think need any improving or even tweaking - but maybe I will pick these up later down the road.
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Picked up two records on a cheapo gamble today - both at 99p. Victoria Williams' 1987 debut (I think it is) - 'Happy Come Home'. No Crazy Mary, but I thought it would be nice to check out some of her other work - I don't know it.
Also a 1969 Island records compilation: 'Nice Enough to Eat' - from which I am most interested in the Fairport Convention and the Nick Drake, but will probably check out the other stuff too - Traffic, Free, Jethro Tull, Mott the Hoople, Blodwyn Pig etc. Only trouble is the record would be quite a collector's item if it was in good condition, but the reason it was cheap is that it is in an absolutely fucking terrible state!! I'm not confident if I'll be able to get any decent sounds out of it at all - but I might be able to restore it a little - this will be the challenge!!
Cancel my subscription to the Ressurection
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Picked up two records on a cheapo gamble today - both at 99p. Victoria Williams' 1987 debut (I think it is) - 'Happy Come Home'. No Crazy Mary, but I thought it would be nice to check out some of her other work - I don't know it.
Also a 1969 Island records compilation: 'Nice Enough to Eat' - from which I am most interested in the Fairport Convention and the Nick Drake, but will probably check out the other stuff too - Traffic, Free, Jethro Tull, Mott the Hoople, Blodwyn Pig etc. Only trouble is the record would be quite a collector's item if it was in good condition, but the reason it was cheap is that it is in an absolutely fucking terrible state!! I'm not confident if I'll be able to get any decent sounds out of it at all - but I might be able to restore it a little - this will be the challenge!!
give me some pointers on doing this ...restoring records
i have walked away from vinyl i thought might not play but then thought hmmmm able it will
Picked up two records on a cheapo gamble today - both at 99p. Victoria Williams' 1987 debut (I think it is) - 'Happy Come Home'. No Crazy Mary, but I thought it would be nice to check out some of her other work - I don't know it.
Also a 1969 Island records compilation: 'Nice Enough to Eat' - from which I am most interested in the Fairport Convention and the Nick Drake, but will probably check out the other stuff too - Traffic, Free, Jethro Tull, Mott the Hoople, Blodwyn Pig etc. Only trouble is the record would be quite a collector's item if it was in good condition, but the reason it was cheap is that it is in an absolutely fucking terrible state!! I'm not confident if I'll be able to get any decent sounds out of it at all - but I might be able to restore it a little - this will be the challenge!!
give me some pointers on doing this ...restoring records
i have walked away from vinyl i thought might not play but then thought hmmmm able it will
Good call, thrilla! Tremors, I would also be interested in getting to know some tricks for cleaning and restoring records I watched videos with experiments with wood glue, but ... :? Do you have a washing machine for your records?
Oh, and it was payday today and I made a stop at my local record store. I picked up those two:
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug, and Bonebreak Boogie by a local rockabilly punk band called The Headless Horsemen. It's a beautiful red limited edition vinyl and it also came with a badge Loving the latter, listening to the first right now, and like it a lot!
Please, Pearl Jam, consider a Benaroya Hall vinyl reissue!
Picked up two records on a cheapo gamble today - both at 99p. Victoria Williams' 1987 debut (I think it is) - 'Happy Come Home'. No Crazy Mary, but I thought it would be nice to check out some of her other work - I don't know it.
Also a 1969 Island records compilation: 'Nice Enough to Eat' - from which I am most interested in the Fairport Convention and the Nick Drake, but will probably check out the other stuff too - Traffic, Free, Jethro Tull, Mott the Hoople, Blodwyn Pig etc. Only trouble is the record would be quite a collector's item if it was in good condition, but the reason it was cheap is that it is in an absolutely fucking terrible state!! I'm not confident if I'll be able to get any decent sounds out of it at all - but I might be able to restore it a little - this will be the challenge!!
give me some pointers on doing this ...restoring records
i have walked away from vinyl i thought might not play but then thought hmmmm able it will
Good call, thrilla! Tremors, I would also be interested in getting to know some tricks for cleaning and restoring records I watched videos with experiments with wood glue, but ... :? Do you have a washing machine for your records?
I am just learning this actually - but have been getting some outstanding results. I did a bit of research, because I was thinking of getting a cleaning machine - but had read a number of people doing the washing by hand - which I have been experimenting with, and it definitely seems to be working well. It works best on records which are not actually scratched or damaged too much, but have a lot of deposits on them which give an awful crackle - making you think they are damaged, when underneath they are fine. I have completely restored my Otis Blue and my Aretha - Lady Soul 1960s first pressings, to having absolutely no noise whatsoever - they sound like they were bought yesterday in fact! The cleaning really improves the tone too. I have read some conflicting advice, but I will try and post the method I am settling on - I'll try and put you both down a few bullet points after the Sirius show.
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No probs - will put something down in the morning - I'm shattered. I'm not sure my method is the ultimate one, but I will let you know, for what it's worth!
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Really? But isn't there oil in them? And what about the fibres? I heard well-washed old t-shirts are good, but I never tried cleaning my records myself.
Tremors - good night :wave:
Please, Pearl Jam, consider a Benaroya Hall vinyl reissue!
Ok - this is what I have been doing! No doubt I will get told off by someone for doing it wrongly - but I am still learning. I have read around, asked a few people who know about these things, and done some trials on various old records - and I this is the safest and simplest method I have found, without the need for specialist products, just using household items.
My method basically involves washing the records in warm water, using a mild dishwashing liquid (more on this below), but using your clean hands to clean the surface of the record, rather than any cloth. Soft fingers like mine and Lisa's work brilliantly - do not scratch anything, and you can feel any residue, and rub away in the soapy water really well. I definitely think using soft hands is the best part of my method.
I read quite a bit about the soap you should use, and a lot of people were recommending a cheap basic 'Lemon' washing up liquid - with no extra hand softeners or anything else in. I read some people saying using washing up liquid will damage your records, but these comments were mainly from people who were selling a specialist product. I have read people making up solutions using parts of alcohol etc, but I have been trying to keep things simple. The thing you want to avoid is damaging the record, which also has a protective layer which is applied when the record is made. Too many chemicals and your record will deteriorate over time - although records are also pretty tough things.
I have actually settled on using one squirt of the Ecover, 'Eco' washing up liquid - as this is mild, vegetable based, biodegradable.
My method also uses the tap, so you can take care that the record is well rinsed. Ideally you would use distilled water, but I think this is a bit excessive.
This is what I do:
Run a hot 'mixer tap' - to get the water to the same temperature as you would wash your hands in - quite hot, but not scalding. Too hot and your records will warp (especially thin ones), too cold, and you won't get the benefits of the hot water lifting out grease etc.
Wash my hands well using the same washing up liquid as I'm using for the records.
Take a deep and wide washing up bowl (big enough to insert the record vertically so that half of it is covered in water). Put in one squirt of Eco washing up liquid (use less if you are worried about the effects of this - a small drop will still work for records that are not too grimy). Fill the bowl with the hot water - to the level where you can insert the record up to the start of the label. You want to avoid getting the labels overly wet, since they will leak glue etc which will go onto the record.
Leave the tap running at this temperature.
Take the record and soak it well under the tap, avoiding the label, and swirling round both sides until you will see the sheen of the water. I spend two minutes doing this, and it is probably enough to start to improve the record already.
I then take the record away and submerge it in the bowl vertically up to the edge of the label. I have it so there is some lather in the bowl.
With my finger tips I start to swirl round the surface of the record, rotating the record and covering it all systematically. You can feel any areas where it needs a bit more attention. I do about three rotations on each side for a dirty record.
Take the record out of the bowl and rinse it very well under the tap which I left running - for a couple of minutes.
Drying
The drying is a bit complicated, and has a big effect on the sound you are going to get left with. I am using my clean dish rack currently! - to rest the records in carefully - but you have to be very careful not to scratch the records.
The records will need drying with a cloth before you leave them to dry in the air - and I am still trying to find the best way of doing this - I think Lisa's suggestion of a well washed soft cotton t-shirt is probably a good one (avoid fabric softeners). I think using a special cloth for this would probably work well - but I'm not sure which cloth would work best. As soft as possible. The record will take about two hours to dry completely - even if it looks dry.
If you wipe the record well before leaving it to dry, then it really does improve the sound of the record, the tones - etc etc, and it will dry with a an amazing shine. The thing I am most worried about at this stage though, is adding crackle to the record with the fibres of the cloth. I did a trial using 4 different copies of Rumours by fleetwood mac, copies I had given up on because of poor sound. I listened to each before and after different drying methods, and the best sound was definitely one I had wiped a good few times with a household J-cloth, but it also introduced a bit of noise, which is why I am currently trying to find the best cloth.
A safer alternative, which leaves absolutely no extra surface noise is to just 'press' the record between two ultra dry cloths / t-shirts - to remove all the excess liquid - and then leave it to air dry. The sound of the record is great after this, but a tiny but duller than if you wipe it - probably due to deposits in the water as it evaporates. This would probably be rectified by afterwards getting the records to a shine with a record cloth you can buy. Currently this is the drying method I am using - pressing the record between two dry cloths for a while, and then letting the air do its business.
That's it basically - has been working really well - although cleaning does change the sound of an old record, making it a bit 'brighter', and sometimes revealing any scratches more clearly - so I am not doing this with records that could benefit, but where I'm already enjoying the current sound. With some lousy sounding records though, I have been getting stunning results doing this!
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blur up first..got it for £1..but scrackles like mad...lets give it a test your method
Go for it! Sometimes the crackles are due to deterioration in the grooves etc, but when you hit the jackpot doing this - it's when all the noise is coming from deposits. I hit gold with this recently - where I got an original 'Layla' from a record fair, and playing it you could tell that the sound was brilliant, but there was a hell of a lot of noise. After I did this it eliminated almost every bit of noise - and sounded as clear as a shop bought record - with all the advantages of an early pressing sound wise.
Good luck - let me know how you get on. I'm worried about your hands though Kev - you probably don't have 'girl's hands' like I do - cos I avoid all manual activity as a rule. Use the softest parts of your hands!
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Thanks, tremors! I tried that kind of method once with some old really dirty Polish Jazz lps. They were so dirty, they almost looked like they were rotten. I could get rid of a lot of the stuff, but no everything, though. I always hesitate to "rub" the record with my fingers, as soft as they may be, though :? And I kind of damaged a red label, it became a little wet and didn't look as nice as before :(
My record store dealer has a Knosti record cleaning machine. It's almost the same method, but you can protect the labels. Using the dish drying rack is a good idea, you might want to put a towel on top of it to avoid scratches ...
Please, Pearl Jam, consider a Benaroya Hall vinyl reissue!
Thanks, tremors! I tried that kind of method once with some old really dirty Polish Jazz lps. They were so dirty, they almost looked like they were rotten. I could get rid of a lot of the stuff, but no everything, though. I always hesitate to "rub" the record with my fingers, as soft as they may be, though :? And I kind of damaged a red label, it became a little wet and didn't look as nice as before :(
My record store dealer has a Knosti record cleaning machine. It's almost the same method, but you can protect the labels. Using the dish drying rack is a good idea, you might want to put a towel on top of it to avoid scratches ...
Yes a towel would make sense! doh!
I honestly don't think you can do any damage at all with soft fingertips in soapy water - you can feel the record is very slippery. Many of the records I have done this way have come out with barely a noise to them, once the surface grime has gone. I'm pretty confident in the fingertips bit of this - it's the drying in the optimum way which is giving me more of a headache. I think I need to find the perfect cloth to wipe around with!
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Thanks, tremors! I tried that kind of method once with some old really dirty Polish Jazz lps. They were so dirty, they almost looked like they were rotten. I could get rid of a lot of the stuff, but no everything, though. I always hesitate to "rub" the record with my fingers, as soft as they may be, though :? And I kind of damaged a red label, it became a little wet and didn't look as nice as before :(
My record store dealer has a Knosti record cleaning machine. It's almost the same method, but you can protect the labels. Using the dish drying rack is a good idea, you might want to put a towel on top of it to avoid scratches ...
Yes a towel would make sense! doh!
I honestly don't think you can do any damage at all with soft fingertips in soapy water - you can feel the record is very slippery. Many of the records I have done this way have come out with barely a noise to them, once the surface grime has gone. I'm pretty confident in the fingertips bit of this - it's the drying in the optimum way which is giving me more of a headache. I think I need to find the perfect cloth to wipe around with!
Did you try those micro fibre things? Don't know if that is the correct term :?
Please, Pearl Jam, consider a Benaroya Hall vinyl reissue!
Thanks, tremors! I tried that kind of method once with some old really dirty Polish Jazz lps. They were so dirty, they almost looked like they were rotten. I could get rid of a lot of the stuff, but no everything, though. I always hesitate to "rub" the record with my fingers, as soft as they may be, though :? And I kind of damaged a red label, it became a little wet and didn't look as nice as before :(
My record store dealer has a Knosti record cleaning machine. It's almost the same method, but you can protect the labels. Using the dish drying rack is a good idea, you might want to put a towel on top of it to avoid scratches ...
Yes a towel would make sense! doh!
I honestly don't think you can do any damage at all with soft fingertips in soapy water - you can feel the record is very slippery. Many of the records I have done this way have come out with barely a noise to them, once the surface grime has gone. I'm pretty confident in the fingertips bit of this - it's the drying in the optimum way which is giving me more of a headache. I think I need to find the perfect cloth to wipe around with!
Did you try those micro fibre things? Don't know if that is the correct term :?
I did try one of them with Rumours, and the sound quality on that record was absolutely amazing - a massive improvement to the tone, and clarity of the different parts, and vocal harmonies and all sorts - it was like listening to a different record. I couldn't be certain though that it hadn't introduced some crackling into all the quiet parts though - I think it did - although the record itself wasn't free of such noises beforehand. That's when I moved onto the 'pressing' between cloths, rather than wiping. What I should really do is find a record I don't care about that has absolutely no crackling, and try it again wiping carefully with the microfibre cloth. I might try that.
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Really? But isn't there oil in them? And what about the fibres? I heard well-washed old t-shirts are good, but I never tried cleaning my records myself.
Tremors - good night :wave:
Leeze you can use paper towel your not going to hurt the vinyl .
and if your just cleaning lint or hair, Light dust try canned air. I wouldn't use sandpaper though . lol
Comments
it's a bootleg LP, but it sounds pretty damn good to me!! it was a radio broadcast.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
Wow! Sounds wonderful!
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Audioslave-Out of Exile(on blue wax)........Haven't listened to this in awhile, but dug it a good bit when it came out
Love The Band - I got the Last Waltz a few weeks ago - actually I think that will be next in line for my current vinyl cleaning regime - I'm on a roll currently! Breathing new life into tired wax. I'm only doing it on records I'm unhappy with though, because sometimes you can lose some of the magic. Love Audioslave - I really gotta get their debut on vinyl soon. Enjoy!
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Rolling Stones, Goats Head Soup. Great album, that includes the original Angie
Send my credentials to the house of detention
I always liked a few tunes by The Band, then I seen the "Classic Albums" about the S/T album and I realized how good they are.
I've got Audioslave's 1st on my wishlist too. I was lookin for one more less expensive vinyl to add to the cart or I woulda went with it over Out of Exile.
Long Arm - The Branches
Once Soundtrack - Swell Season
Sounds good.
Dewie, did you pick up the Vs / Vitalogy vinyl remasters? I've avoided them so far, but I'm curious about what they have done to them. You have a good ear for stuff like that. Personally I am a bit cynical about the whole enterprise, especially since I already have great vinyl copies of those albums, which are pretty much perfect.
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Nah...I'm in the same boat. I got pretty decent deals on all the original presses when I first started with vinyl a few years ago.
From the reviews I've read they seem to be a little hotter, but I haven't actually heard them to compare. I'll have to get my buddy to bring his over to do a comparison some time.
Cool, I'd be interested in hearing your verdict when the time comes
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Here´s my opinion for what its worth.
From the collectible point of view, of course, there is no valid comparison. Sadly, I have no oringinal pressing to fully evaluate the remasters.
This being said, its obvious these are tweaked. For better or for worse. However, it gives some of us, unfortunate souls, the opportunity of owning these in vinyl platform, finally. And cheap! (compared to the originals, I´m afraid)
Now, I have compared the cds, that I have owned for well over a decade, with these vinyl 2011 editions, and to try to find the words for a decent essay about the comparisons of both would be foolish. All the fuzz about the loudness war is undenyably present on the cds. I am sure its audible in the new 2011 cds as well. I gave my vinyls a 60% volume on my soundsystem (wich is very loud) and I was satisfied. No oversaturation perceived, while the cds are unlistenable when I give them a 45% volume.
The collector´s ways are overwhelming. They will probably have both on their catalogue. So to each their own.
Thanks force-10 - wise words - and good to hear some feedback on these on the vinyl. I have missed any such discussions on the Porch, if there have been any, because I haven't taken much interest in the remasters. I will probably stick to the originals for now - which I don't think need any improving or even tweaking - but maybe I will pick these up later down the road.
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Also a 1969 Island records compilation: 'Nice Enough to Eat' - from which I am most interested in the Fairport Convention and the Nick Drake, but will probably check out the other stuff too - Traffic, Free, Jethro Tull, Mott the Hoople, Blodwyn Pig etc. Only trouble is the record would be quite a collector's item if it was in good condition, but the reason it was cheap is that it is in an absolutely fucking terrible state!! I'm not confident if I'll be able to get any decent sounds out of it at all - but I might be able to restore it a little - this will be the challenge!!
Send my credentials to the house of detention
give me some pointers on doing this ...restoring records
i have walked away from vinyl i thought might not play but then thought hmmmm able it will
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thrillafixterorange.gif" align="left">
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thrillafixterblack.gif" align="left">
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thrillafixterwhite.gif" align="left
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thefixerthrilla1.gif" align="left">
Good call, thrilla! Tremors, I would also be interested in getting to know some tricks for cleaning and restoring records
Oh, and it was payday today and I made a stop at my local record store. I picked up those two:
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug, and Bonebreak Boogie by a local rockabilly punk band called The Headless Horsemen. It's a beautiful red limited edition vinyl and it also came with a badge
I am just learning this actually - but have been getting some outstanding results. I did a bit of research, because I was thinking of getting a cleaning machine - but had read a number of people doing the washing by hand - which I have been experimenting with, and it definitely seems to be working well. It works best on records which are not actually scratched or damaged too much, but have a lot of deposits on them which give an awful crackle - making you think they are damaged, when underneath they are fine. I have completely restored my Otis Blue and my Aretha - Lady Soul 1960s first pressings, to having absolutely no noise whatsoever - they sound like they were bought yesterday in fact! The cleaning really improves the tone too. I have read some conflicting advice, but I will try and post the method I am settling on - I'll try and put you both down a few bullet points after the Sirius show.
Send my credentials to the house of detention
No probs - will put something down in the morning - I'm shattered. I'm not sure my method is the ultimate one, but I will let you know, for what it's worth!
Send my credentials to the house of detention
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thrillafixterorange.gif" align="left">
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thrillafixterblack.gif" align="left">
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thrillafixterwhite.gif" align="left
<img src="http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/tremors25/thefixerthrilla1.gif" align="left">
Really? But isn't there oil in them? And what about the fibres? I heard well-washed old t-shirts are good, but I never tried cleaning my records myself.
Tremors - good night :wave:
My method basically involves washing the records in warm water, using a mild dishwashing liquid (more on this below), but using your clean hands to clean the surface of the record, rather than any cloth. Soft fingers like mine and Lisa's work brilliantly - do not scratch anything, and you can feel any residue, and rub away in the soapy water really well. I definitely think using soft hands is the best part of my method.
I read quite a bit about the soap you should use, and a lot of people were recommending a cheap basic 'Lemon' washing up liquid - with no extra hand softeners or anything else in. I read some people saying using washing up liquid will damage your records, but these comments were mainly from people who were selling a specialist product. I have read people making up solutions using parts of alcohol etc, but I have been trying to keep things simple. The thing you want to avoid is damaging the record, which also has a protective layer which is applied when the record is made. Too many chemicals and your record will deteriorate over time - although records are also pretty tough things.
I have actually settled on using one squirt of the Ecover, 'Eco' washing up liquid - as this is mild, vegetable based, biodegradable.
My method also uses the tap, so you can take care that the record is well rinsed. Ideally you would use distilled water, but I think this is a bit excessive.
This is what I do:
Run a hot 'mixer tap' - to get the water to the same temperature as you would wash your hands in - quite hot, but not scalding. Too hot and your records will warp (especially thin ones), too cold, and you won't get the benefits of the hot water lifting out grease etc.
Wash my hands well using the same washing up liquid as I'm using for the records.
Take a deep and wide washing up bowl (big enough to insert the record vertically so that half of it is covered in water). Put in one squirt of Eco washing up liquid (use less if you are worried about the effects of this - a small drop will still work for records that are not too grimy). Fill the bowl with the hot water - to the level where you can insert the record up to the start of the label. You want to avoid getting the labels overly wet, since they will leak glue etc which will go onto the record.
Leave the tap running at this temperature.
Take the record and soak it well under the tap, avoiding the label, and swirling round both sides until you will see the sheen of the water. I spend two minutes doing this, and it is probably enough to start to improve the record already.
I then take the record away and submerge it in the bowl vertically up to the edge of the label. I have it so there is some lather in the bowl.
With my finger tips I start to swirl round the surface of the record, rotating the record and covering it all systematically. You can feel any areas where it needs a bit more attention. I do about three rotations on each side for a dirty record.
Take the record out of the bowl and rinse it very well under the tap which I left running - for a couple of minutes.
Drying
The drying is a bit complicated, and has a big effect on the sound you are going to get left with. I am using my clean dish rack currently! - to rest the records in carefully - but you have to be very careful not to scratch the records.
The records will need drying with a cloth before you leave them to dry in the air - and I am still trying to find the best way of doing this - I think Lisa's suggestion of a well washed soft cotton t-shirt is probably a good one (avoid fabric softeners). I think using a special cloth for this would probably work well - but I'm not sure which cloth would work best. As soft as possible. The record will take about two hours to dry completely - even if it looks dry.
If you wipe the record well before leaving it to dry, then it really does improve the sound of the record, the tones - etc etc, and it will dry with a an amazing shine. The thing I am most worried about at this stage though, is adding crackle to the record with the fibres of the cloth. I did a trial using 4 different copies of Rumours by fleetwood mac, copies I had given up on because of poor sound. I listened to each before and after different drying methods, and the best sound was definitely one I had wiped a good few times with a household J-cloth, but it also introduced a bit of noise, which is why I am currently trying to find the best cloth.
A safer alternative, which leaves absolutely no extra surface noise is to just 'press' the record between two ultra dry cloths / t-shirts - to remove all the excess liquid - and then leave it to air dry. The sound of the record is great after this, but a tiny but duller than if you wipe it - probably due to deposits in the water as it evaporates. This would probably be rectified by afterwards getting the records to a shine with a record cloth you can buy. Currently this is the drying method I am using - pressing the record between two dry cloths for a while, and then letting the air do its business.
That's it basically - has been working really well - although cleaning does change the sound of an old record, making it a bit 'brighter', and sometimes revealing any scratches more clearly - so I am not doing this with records that could benefit, but where I'm already enjoying the current sound. With some lousy sounding records though, I have been getting stunning results doing this!
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blur up first..got it for £1..but scrackles like mad...lets give it a test your method
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Go for it! Sometimes the crackles are due to deterioration in the grooves etc, but when you hit the jackpot doing this - it's when all the noise is coming from deposits. I hit gold with this recently - where I got an original 'Layla' from a record fair, and playing it you could tell that the sound was brilliant, but there was a hell of a lot of noise. After I did this it eliminated almost every bit of noise - and sounded as clear as a shop bought record - with all the advantages of an early pressing sound wise.
Good luck - let me know how you get on. I'm worried about your hands though Kev - you probably don't have 'girl's hands' like I do - cos I avoid all manual activity as a rule. Use the softest parts of your hands!
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Queen - News of the World
Paul McCartney - McCartney
And the record store I go to gave me a free copy of Longing to Belong by some guy named Eddie Vedder.
* Cincinnati, OH 6.24.2006 *
* Columbus, OH 5.6.2010 * Noblesville, IN 5.7.2010 *
* East Troy, MI 9.4.2011 * East Troy, MI 9.5.2011 *
* Pittsburgh, PA 10.11.2013 *
My record store dealer has a Knosti record cleaning machine. It's almost the same method, but you can protect the labels. Using the dish drying rack is a good idea, you might want to put a towel on top of it to avoid scratches ...
Yes a towel would make sense! doh!
I honestly don't think you can do any damage at all with soft fingertips in soapy water - you can feel the record is very slippery. Many of the records I have done this way have come out with barely a noise to them, once the surface grime has gone. I'm pretty confident in the fingertips bit of this - it's the drying in the optimum way which is giving me more of a headache. I think I need to find the perfect cloth to wipe around with!
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Did you try those micro fibre things? Don't know if that is the correct term :?
I did try one of them with Rumours, and the sound quality on that record was absolutely amazing - a massive improvement to the tone, and clarity of the different parts, and vocal harmonies and all sorts - it was like listening to a different record. I couldn't be certain though that it hadn't introduced some crackling into all the quiet parts though - I think it did - although the record itself wasn't free of such noises beforehand. That's when I moved onto the 'pressing' between cloths, rather than wiping. What I should really do is find a record I don't care about that has absolutely no crackling, and try it again wiping carefully with the microfibre cloth. I might try that.
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Leeze you can use paper towel your not going to hurt the vinyl .
and if your just cleaning lint or hair, Light dust try canned air. I wouldn't use sandpaper though . lol
deep clean : wood glue