Storing records/warping concerns.

[Matthew]

What's the best way to store records? Spine out like books or in milk crates or on shelves back to front as if they were in milk crates?

Also...many records I am buying are warped on only one side. I'm experiencing alot of tone arm sway. Back and forth as opposed to up and down movement. This severely effects playback resulting in an off speed like sound. Am I alone or have others experienced this?

Thanx to all..MATT

[Collie]

Hi Matt,

I store my vinyl spine out like books packed quite tightly to make them as vertical as possible.
Warped records I tend to lie flat with with some books or stuff on top for while, seems to work for me.
And to back up my method amongst others are original 1973 Wailers "Catch A Fire" (the zippo lighter cover) Burning Spear "Marcus Garvey" 1975 and Max Romeo's "Open the Iron Gate" 1978 and "War Ina Babylon" 1976 all in great condition.

You are probably very aware later vinyl tends to be thinner so you will encouter more issues with these.

All the best.

[Matthew]

Thanks Collie! Those records you listed sure are a testament. I'll try re-arranging my collection and keep the book flattening method in mind.

[leggo rocker]

I use British Post Office letter crates, which are the PERFECT size for storing LPs and are very robust - and one full crate is still comfortable to lift.

I have them packed not too tight but use mailing stuffeners as padding to tighten the packing, and to keep them vertical. This also stops the sleeves getting roughed up by the edge of the crate.

I store them top edge up. When I want to browse (they are in strict alphebetical order - that's my particular compulsive disorder...) I simply remove the stiffeners so i can flick through them in time honoured record store style.

These crates would also stack sideways, but I prefer them on top of a tabel or desk or shelving, around the room, just like in a record store!

All are kept in vinyl sleeves. I use lightweight sleeves, like 250g, they are cheaper and take up less room.

I clean them all professionally when I get them. I use a wet-vacuum method on my Moth RCM (this is the best bit of 'hi-fi' kit I have EVER purchased).

Pro cleaning like this takes rough, surface noise infested records up several grades. I've had records that jumps and have the chips-frying-background come up like new using the RCM. All records are slipped into new anti-static inner sleeves after cleaning.

I NEVER touch the surface of the vinyl.

The dreaded side-warp you talk of is due to off-centre pressing.

There's two ways to play records like this without the wow and flutter it causes ruining the riddims.

1. Get a deck with a removable spindle and slide the record around until it centres.

2. Make the hole bigger and slide the record again.

Am I obsessed by vinyl?

Yes, but strictly roots-rock-reggae (and Ska or Rocksteady) Vinyl!

[striker]

Anyone have any more tips for storing records? we don't have british post office crates here in new york.

[vtov]

As long as they're straight up (not leaning) then either spine out or back to front should be alright.

I'm all spine out but now realize back to front is better for reggae because twelves are in generic sleeves, and then most JA albums have blank spines.