In the two months we’ve been open, we’ve found ourselves getting asked a lot of questions outside the usual “Do you have this record in stock?” We thought this might be a fun opportunity to share some of them. These tips skew more practical and may upset an audiophile, but when you’re dealing with as many records as we are, the quick solution is often the best one.
People still collect records?
No! We don’t know why we did this! Please help!
What do you use to clean records?
We use a highly complex and scientific formula: a 1-to-5 ratio of rubbing alcohol to distilled water. We tend to not recommend going for 99% rubbing alcohol; the 70% or 91% should work just fine for your purposes. Put it in a spray bottle and mist it onto the wax. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth and gently wipe in a circle, going with the grooves. The alcohol should allow the remaining moisture to dry quickly.
My record is skipping! Is it unplayable?
Skips can be fixed more often than you might think. If the record has a deep scratch you can feel with your finger, then it’s likely not fixable. However, if the record has scratches that can’t be felt, you might just have a piece of grime in the groove. Play the record until it gets to the skip. If you’re using a direct-drive turntable with a stop button, stop the turntable with the needle still down. If you have to stop it manually, lift the needle and shine a light at an angle in the rough area where the skip happens. With some investigation, you can usually identify and then feel a small bump. (Weed crumbs? Congealed dust? Who knows!) Gently knock it out with your thumbnail and see if it worked. If not, you’re outta luck!
Where do you source your records?
Everywhere! That might seem like a copout, but they really come from all over. In addition to people bringing them into the shop, we answer Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace listings, go to estate sales, drive around the tri-state area and so much more. If there are records sitting in a basement somewhere, we are trying to find them.
What kind of turntable should I get?
We usually recommend the starter Audio-Technica table, the AT-LP60X, for a few reasons. It’s pretty affordable at around $180 (though you can find them cheaper, especially on the used market) and it has a built-in preamp, meaning you can just connect them directly to whatever bookshelf speakers you might already have. You can certainly go the route of buying a dedicated receiver and other hi-fi components if you want, but if you just want to listen to some of your favorite albums, this is the most expeditious route.
How can I upgrade my setup?
Get a new needle! If you bought the Audio-Technica model above, get the next needle up in the line. You can also look into prestige brands like Ortofon as well if you want to get a new headshell, but in general new turntables have an upgrade path you can follow that will give you immediate results. This is also the surest method by which you can begin maxing out a credit card chasing perfect clarity, so try and keep your head screwed on straight.