Again, great, Andy, and I'm happy to see folks are asking you tech Qs in your comments! They come to the right place! I loved your last paragraph! For all the hand-wringing obsessions we all have about our vinyl, at some point, we should just relax and enjoy! And, you said it! Thanks!
This one tugged at my heartwarming Daddy rememberies....again, he had 20,000 LPs & 78s (mostly in the jazz arena), and similar to other kids, whose Dad gave them their first fishing gear or first boots and saddle, I remember MY dad gifting me with my first soft, grey, dust-free, non-magnetic (you know what I mean...I forget what it was called) cloth with which to gently wipe (with the groove...and, there IS only one, which I know you know...there's a fun/funny/science-y article lying in wait there, I think!) before each play!
My problem was not doing it first, before placing it on the turntable! I probably was messing with the motor if I waited to lightly drag my cloth on a turning record instead of while still in my hand....but, hey, call me lazy! He also told me not to rub the gathering dust-ball off the stylus...and, he gave me a cute little brush with which to do THAT, as well!
I remember getting in "automatic record cleaners" into my record store in the late '70s: Stick the record in and a motor turns your record around, vertically, to get ultimately scratched up by, I suppose, otherwise well-meaning brushes within! I didn't TRY to sell those, and only wish I could've dissuaded folks when I saw them trundling to the register (till?) with one!
Thank you so much, Brad! Really appreciate your kind words.
That’s such a beautiful memory. Oh, if only I could time travel to that era! But thanks to you, and to your beautifully narrated and detailed recollections, I can kind of transport myself to those times! Thank you for that.
Yes, I’ve been meaning to do an article on cleaning but I just need to find the right tone for it because let’s face it — for some people it might be a boring topic (glad to see you as well as at least a few others would be interested, though!).
Anti-static cloth is the word I believe you’re looking for :)
Interesting that you mention automatic cleaners — have never tried those yet. Call me old school but I just feel I trust my hand more! However, I’ve always been interested in trying, as I heard differing views and experiences (some rave about them, some loathe them). What was your experience with them, if you don’t mind sharing?
Once again, thanks a lot for your comment! And for always bringing such good vibes around here!
Thanks back, Andy! I never had personal experience with those record cleaners....I just remember me and fellow store employees not needing much prompting in turning our noses up at them simply because they just LOOKED so barbaric! i.e. 😱"AH! My record....what are you doing to it?!? Let GO of it!"
Great question. Depending on the stylus, the manufacturer will provide guidelines, usually in the form of hours (800 hours, 1200 hours, etc.). I change mine roughly every 14 or 18 months. I clean it as regularly as (or perhaps even more than) my records though.
It really depends on the stylus you have. I’m currently with a microlinear one as I wanted to test what all this fuss was about (so far: amazing results), and these tend to last longer (1200 hours, if memory serves).
I usually recommend Audio Technica as even their entry-level styli are pretty decent considering their price (in USD it should be something in the 30-50 region) for what you get in return. Their microlinear stylus (AT-VMN95ML) is great if you value precision as it tackles common issues like inner groove distortion (last tracks on each side sounding muffled especially on old records). This one is more in the 175 price point but worth every penny. Check compatibility with your system, though, especially with your cartridge, as not every stylus will work with every cartridge. Hope this helps! I was already planning on writing something about stylus replacement/upgrades in more detail at some point, so it’s great to see there’s interest in the topic.
My pleasure! If you can, try and find a microlinear stylus compatible with your system. It’s worth the upgrade and lasts circa 2 years (assuming regular cleaning).
Again, great, Andy, and I'm happy to see folks are asking you tech Qs in your comments! They come to the right place! I loved your last paragraph! For all the hand-wringing obsessions we all have about our vinyl, at some point, we should just relax and enjoy! And, you said it! Thanks!
This one tugged at my heartwarming Daddy rememberies....again, he had 20,000 LPs & 78s (mostly in the jazz arena), and similar to other kids, whose Dad gave them their first fishing gear or first boots and saddle, I remember MY dad gifting me with my first soft, grey, dust-free, non-magnetic (you know what I mean...I forget what it was called) cloth with which to gently wipe (with the groove...and, there IS only one, which I know you know...there's a fun/funny/science-y article lying in wait there, I think!) before each play!
My problem was not doing it first, before placing it on the turntable! I probably was messing with the motor if I waited to lightly drag my cloth on a turning record instead of while still in my hand....but, hey, call me lazy! He also told me not to rub the gathering dust-ball off the stylus...and, he gave me a cute little brush with which to do THAT, as well!
I remember getting in "automatic record cleaners" into my record store in the late '70s: Stick the record in and a motor turns your record around, vertically, to get ultimately scratched up by, I suppose, otherwise well-meaning brushes within! I didn't TRY to sell those, and only wish I could've dissuaded folks when I saw them trundling to the register (till?) with one!
Thank you so much, Brad! Really appreciate your kind words.
That’s such a beautiful memory. Oh, if only I could time travel to that era! But thanks to you, and to your beautifully narrated and detailed recollections, I can kind of transport myself to those times! Thank you for that.
Yes, I’ve been meaning to do an article on cleaning but I just need to find the right tone for it because let’s face it — for some people it might be a boring topic (glad to see you as well as at least a few others would be interested, though!).
Anti-static cloth is the word I believe you’re looking for :)
Interesting that you mention automatic cleaners — have never tried those yet. Call me old school but I just feel I trust my hand more! However, I’ve always been interested in trying, as I heard differing views and experiences (some rave about them, some loathe them). What was your experience with them, if you don’t mind sharing?
Once again, thanks a lot for your comment! And for always bringing such good vibes around here!
Thanks back, Andy! I never had personal experience with those record cleaners....I just remember me and fellow store employees not needing much prompting in turning our noses up at them simply because they just LOOKED so barbaric! i.e. 😱"AH! My record....what are you doing to it?!? Let GO of it!"
😅😅😅 exactly my thoughts! At least that’s how I would feel!
And thank YOU!
I mean, just LOOK at some of these medieval torture devices! https://www.google.com/search?q=record+cleaner+machine&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjKipvxpJP_AhXUmGoFHa2jCTgQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1094&bih=504&dpr=1.25
LOL. Indeed. And some of them even look a bit like a toaster, don't you reckon?
An article on cleaning would be great. Enjoying these, thanks Andres 👍
Thanks a lot, Sean! I'm really glad you are enjoying it. I'll definitely do an article on cleaning soon -- watch this space :)
About how often do you change your stylus, and do you have recommendations for how to know when it's time to do so?
Great question. Depending on the stylus, the manufacturer will provide guidelines, usually in the form of hours (800 hours, 1200 hours, etc.). I change mine roughly every 14 or 18 months. I clean it as regularly as (or perhaps even more than) my records though.
It really depends on the stylus you have. I’m currently with a microlinear one as I wanted to test what all this fuss was about (so far: amazing results), and these tend to last longer (1200 hours, if memory serves).
Microlinear--I don't know much, clearly, but I think I'm getting close to needing a new one--what kind do you have and how much would it likely cost?
I usually recommend Audio Technica as even their entry-level styli are pretty decent considering their price (in USD it should be something in the 30-50 region) for what you get in return. Their microlinear stylus (AT-VMN95ML) is great if you value precision as it tackles common issues like inner groove distortion (last tracks on each side sounding muffled especially on old records). This one is more in the 175 price point but worth every penny. Check compatibility with your system, though, especially with your cartridge, as not every stylus will work with every cartridge. Hope this helps! I was already planning on writing something about stylus replacement/upgrades in more detail at some point, so it’s great to see there’s interest in the topic.
Thanks for this! I'm in the same boat as Terry.
My pleasure! If you can, try and find a microlinear stylus compatible with your system. It’s worth the upgrade and lasts circa 2 years (assuming regular cleaning).