You can have your CDs, your digitally stored media and your songs from the Cloud, but there is nothing quite like vinyl. That classic analog sound and the whisper of the needle against that spinning record takes you back to a day when music was life. There are still plenty of places to buy, sell and trade vinyl, and if you have got a record collection, it’s critical to take good care of it.
But what’s the best way to take care of and store your records? Just follow a few simple steps:
Record Storage
Store your records in a clean, dry place that does not get a lot of humidity. Keep them away from windows and store them in their sleeves vertically, not leaning. Horizontal stacks are okay, but vertical is preferred. Do not stack up more than 10 or 20 albums in one pile if you need to stack them horizontal.
Playing Records
When playing your records, remove them from the sleeve carefully, holding it by the edges. Do not touch the recording surface. Keep the lid closed on your turntable while in use to avoid dust buildup. Always use the cueing lever to lower the stylus onto the record.
Cleaning Records
Get a record cleaning brush and sweep off the dust, going with the groove. If there is dust buildup, wet your cleaning brush with diluted record cleaning solution. Again, stay with the groove. Once the record is clean, leave it to dry in a vertical position.
It’s also a good idea to get a stylus cleaner to keep your record player stylus clean. Always keep your records — when they’re completely dry — in the sleeve and jacket when you’re not using them. You can buy a fancy cleaning machine that vacuums dust and debris out of your records, but you really do not need to.
Bolster Your Collection at Record Head
If you’re missing a few records in your collection or if you have a few extras you are willing to part with in Wisconsin, come on down to Record Head. You will get great prices on old records, and if you are looking to trade, there is plenty of stock to check out. Replace your duplicates with our rare finds you have been looking all over for, or just come by and see what you need to buy to fill out your collection.
While you are here, if you have got movies, music, instruments or just about anything else to buy or sell, check out what kind of deals you can get. Record Head buys and sells almost everything when it comes to music, so you are bound to find a deal you like. You can also shop our records online.