spaf (04/17/83)
Besides proper treatment of records (like keeping them in plastic
sleeves rather than sitting on your record stand overnight), a couple
of items can make a really big difference:
-- a discwasher or other record cleaner with a wetting agent
-- some kind of antistatic treatment. I use both an anti-stat
mat and a static gun
-- treat your records with a protector. I can recommend "lifesaver"
by audio-technica. It helps reduce record wear and reduce static.
It also repels dust particles.
-- KEEP YOUR STYLUS MAINTAINED!! The stylus should be cleaned often
using a proper stylus cleaning fluid and brush. The alignment and
pressure should be kept in adjustment, and the stylus should be
checked for wear. A bad needle will rip your records to shreds
after only one or two playings.
Another big factor is where you buy your records. Sometimes going to
the bargain stores is not a bargain. Making masters is expensive and
some companies try to cut expenses by "overpressing" their masters;
that is, they press too many records from each master and the quality
is reduced. It is rumored that some record companies sell these
poorer quality records to some bargain stores at a discount since
their quality is poorer.
If the record you buy is warped badly or marred in any way, return it
to the record store and complain. If they are reputable then they
should make some exchange. Enough backpressure from companies and
consumers can result in better quality control.
Another possiblility is to buy half-speed and original master pressings.
These are more expensive, but the quality of vinyl and production
control is much better in many cases than regular records.
Buy plastic liners for your records and replace the paper inner sleeves
they come in. Paper can scratch and shed lint. Note that a number
of records come in plastic liners these days.
For old records you might want to buy a "pop" filter which senses transient
noise (mostly pops and crackles) and filters them out. The music loses
a little bit, but the results are often quite impressive, especially
old records you though you could never listen to again. USE AN OLD
STYLUS! If the record is that bad that you need a filter don't
damage your good stylus on them.
Trade in your GE Wildcat phono for a real turntable.
Go tone deaf.
Those are just a few suggestions. Hope they're helpful.
Gene Spafford
Spaf.GATech at UDel-Relay (CSNet and Arpa) School of ICS
...!allegra!gatech!spaf (uucp) Georgia Tech
...!decvax!duke!mcnc!msdc!gatech!spaf Atlanta, GA 30332