Vintage Vinyl Questions

[Bruce Burgess]

Recently, I've bought several vintage pressings of the Beatles' mono albums. While all of them are in excellent condition for their age, most have some light surface noise.

I am wondering, first of all, whether this surface noise could be eliminated or reduced, with a good cleaning, or whether it is simply the result of wear and tear. Let me stress that these LPs sound much better than the Beatles' CDs, even with the surface noise. I would just like to know if anything can be done to improve the overall sound.

In past forums, several members have recommended record cleaning machines, Disk Doctor products, lint brushes and homemade cleaning solutions. I don't have a large enough LP collection to justify spending several hundred dollars on a machine, but would consider having them professionally cleaned.

I am wondering whether machines actually do a better job of cleaning the records than the Disk Doctor and also, whether the Disk Doctor brush and solution actually do a better job than a lint brush and a homemade solution.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Hawklord]

You will only find out by actually cleaning them. Record cleaning machines "CAN" do a better job, but investing in one "MAY" not be cost effective unless you have a ton of vinyl to clean. The Record Doctor stuff is very highly regarded for manual cleaning. I use the $50.00 "Spin Clean" and I have been very happy with the results. I will buy the Record Dr. set next. There are endless discusions over at the "Vinyl Asylum on cleaning methods". Whatever the method, cleaning is mandatory.

[MikeyH]

Originally posted by Tallcoolone

I am wondering whether machines actually do a better job of cleaning the records than the Disk Doctor and also, whether the Disk Doctor brush and solution actually do a better job than a lint brush and a homemade solution.

I used to use the homemade solution and brush. The products from www.discdoc.com are quite superior - it's to do with the size, stiffness of the pile and easy shape of the brushes. I get less noise and a cleaner disk. I've cleaned already clean disks to improve them.

The machines are really drying machines, not cleaning machines. They speed up the process. Most users I've seen operating them (apart from some Keith Monks operators) seem to think that all you need to do is wipe the liquid on and vacuum it off. That doesn't seem likely to dislodge all the dirt, and certainly won't shift most dried on liquid (like previous cleaner, beer, whatever.. there's a lot gets on to records..)

Most users of the Disc Doctor brushes use a machine for drying. I don't, because I got used to wiping the disk and find that works best for me.

Hope this helps. Sometimes an LP is beyond help, noise wise, but a good cleaning is *always* an improvement.

Mike

[Tom]

The Disc Doctor method is one of the best and cheapest ways to clean vinyl. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how nice a job it does and you will more than likely start browsing flea markets and used record stores for cheap vinyl. That's what
I did after trying it.

Tom

[Bruce Burgess]

Thanks, guys. I think I will look into getting the Disk Doctor system.