Count Basie: 88 Basie Street
Pablo LP
Tom,
Just to deviate for a moment and you may have posted this before. Whats your methodology for cleaning records, especially when you buy them used?
Nick
Nothing elaborate Nick. I just clean them on the VPI 16.5 machine that I bought in 1989 using the stock VPI fluid. IF they are still noisy I give them a second pass and if that doesn't cure the problem I hit them with the steamer. 95% of the records are fine after the first pass and of the rest I may pull out the steamer twice a year.
It is worth noting that I clean not only every used records but also new records as well. While new records nay look clean they often contain residual amounts of the mold release compound used during the manufacturing process so insure the record comes off the pres easily and undamaged (kind of like spraying PAM on your waffle iron.) This compound is stick and wil gum up your stylus if not cleaned off the record.
I am sure there is more that I can do, but quite frankly with the number of records I deal with I just don't have the time.
BTW, this may all be subject to change as I plan to attend a seminar on record cleaning next weekend at CAF next weekend.