Yeah well I did something similar the second time I used it Doug so you can rest your brain! :-)
Wally be WAY slow. |
I just screwed a hard rubber faucet washer onto the threaded bolt. Makes the handle on that side stick out far enough so you can grab it securely.
Come on you guys, do I have to do ALL the thinkin' around here?! :->
P.S. No sign of the Wally yet. |
He hasn't changed the handles, and I wish he would. |
Saw the UFO, too. Seems like it is designed to float in a sink of water such that the record doesn't come in contact with the sink.(?) It is the same principle as the Groovmaster and uses o-rings to seal. The only advantage I can see is that it might give more to hold on to while cleaning. I suggested to Mr. Groovmaster that he make both "handles" on his item longer so that it is easier to hold on to when cleaning "side B". He thanked me for the suggestion but I don't know if he ever incorporated it into his product.
I have used and not used Gruve-Glide. I used to have a real issue with static and it helped tremendously in that regard. I, too, feel that its intended effect is as a lubricant but I am not sure that I hear any sonic difference when using it - but the reduced static was very helpful, indeed. |
I saw the ufo too. It's butt ugly. I'll stick with the GroovMaster. I swear by Gruve-Glide. |
Dougdeacon, I have heard of this same type of contraption, called a UFO. No, not out at Area 51 either. I will go to E-bay immediately! |
Colitas, YOU ARE HEREBY BANISHED... at least until you wash all your precious vinyl.
A GroovMaster (sic) is a doohickey you can buy from a guy on Ebay. It consists of two discs, each with an embedded O-ring slightly larger than a record label. Make a sandwhich with an LP between the two discs and clamp everything together with the threaded bolt that goes through the center hole (supplied with the GM).
Voila! Your label now has a waterproof seal and the knobs you tighten the bolt with serve as handles so you never touch the vinyl. Very useful for hand washing and vacuuming. Useless if you have a RCM.
You can either bid on ebay for it or just email the seller. Last time I heard he'd sell one direct for $40 + s/h. |
Even though the stated purpose of Gruve-Glide is to reduce static, I've always thought that it acted as a lubricant on the grooves. I get better imaging, and a more 'liquid' sound.
I use it sparingly on an LP-12 with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MkII cartridge. When I bring an LP over to one friends house, who has a VPI TNT with a Van den Hul cartridge/needle, he gets a collection of 'stuff' on his needle (residue?) It seems the more the needle conforms to the shape of the groove, the less Gruve-Glide you need. |
GroovMaster? Huh? Please elaborate. I must confess the most extensive cleaning I have done is using the Discwasher brush with some anti-static cleaner, rotating the platter(when off) and applying pressure. I would slowly roll the brush up lifting the dirt off the record. this was effective with paper debris, but not deep into the groove. I am sure this will solidify my newbie status and might even result in expulsion from the hallowed halls of audiophilia. I tried the Orbitrac but was not that impressed. I guess my question of next upgrade has been answered! Vacuum it is |
Colitas,
I haven't tried Gruv-Glide, but I think you may be approaching things in the wrong order. Vacuum cleaning will do far more for your records than spraying Gruv-Glide, or anything else, on top of the dirt. There is no safe way to play dirty vinyl, and there is no way to clean vinyl effectively without vacuuming.
There's really no reason not to vacuum. If you don't have a RCM try this:
- pick up a 1HP Shop Vac (I got one at Walmart for $25)
- put some self-stick felt on the nozzle
- use your GroovMaster to hold/spin the LP while vacuuming
You do have a GroovMaster, right? :)
If/when you spring for a RCM, you'll still have a perfectly servicable shop vac. |
Is it OK to use this product without vacuum cleaning? Music Direct suggets vacuuming first then Gruv-Glide. I do not have a vacuum machine, any other ideas? |
Stevecham,
I had that happen once when I used too much. I now use the smallest amount that I can with a single spray. I figure that I treat perhaps 4-500 albums with one can. |
Posts in the Vinyl forum at audioasylum.com indicate that Gruv Glide is basically the same product as Static Guard - a common household product available at a fraction of the price. Haven't tried it myself - my can of Griv Glide is still holding out. |
After using Gruve Glide does anyone notice a residue on their stylus? |
Gruve Glide has done wonders for my LP's for over ten years now. As the above posts say, the static loss is worth the money alone, but after cleanig with VPI and then applying Gruve Glide I always notice a slight reduction in background noise as well.
BTW there actually was a slight revision of the product about eight or nine years ago.( Not sure what was changed) It was originally called Gruve Glide and now the newer version is Gruve Glide 11.
The newer version is what I have been using primarily, and it is a little better than the original IMHO. |
Sound Guard gum up the stylus,that was a big problem with that product. |
Hi, Is the 1980's product called Sound Guard remembered by anyone? I have some NOS bottles of it which I never used, and am wondering if anyone has ever tried it back when it was a current product? |
I would advise against trying any "generic" product, for the sake of saving a few dollars. Your generic could contain products which may be, without your knowledge, harmful to your records.
Why risk it when you are only talking pennies per application? |
Tobias,
In my system Gruv Glide does reduce surface noise a bit BUT the biggest advantage is no static electricity build up. I own an LP12. The felt mat no longer gets picked up with the record in the winter time. That's enough to jusitfy its use. |
Actually the gruv glide removes any static. So if anything does become attached to the album, a quick little puff blows it right off. There is definitly less groove noise after using the gruv glide. I believe it is like a $1000 upgrade to your phono pre or cartridge. When I went from the Goldring Eroica to the Grado reference Sonata. It was ahuge jump up. After adding gruv glide, it is almost as big a jump. Grooves are dead quiet. |
I'm surprised to read so many people use Gruv Glide. I thought the point was to get stuff _off_ the record before you played it, not add more. I'm interested and willing to learn here. Does Gruv Glide make a big difference over and beyond vacuum cleaning, and does it have any disadvantages ? For instance, does it make the record more likely to pick up dust ? Also, has anyone compared it to stylus treatments for effectiveness ? |
I am in full agreement with Lugnut (as usual). I've been using GruvGlide for over 15 years, and I have treated all of my 1500 records. It completely zaps out the static and makes the record sound better. Nothing is easier or cheaper to use. I use a DECCA Brush and then the GruvGlide. They have a website that talks about the science of it at www.gruvglide.com
I just bought all of the Creedence Clear Water reissues on 180gram vinyl from Acoustic Sounds. I played a few without the GruvGlide, then treated them. You can definitely hear the improvement.
Happy Listening! |
Scottht - proper puffing enhances the soundstage and bass details, actually every detail in the hearing range - especially late at night. Just don't make it a weekly habit, it'll cost more than a good piece of gear. |
Colitas,
Wet clean and vacuum the record and then apply the Gruv Glide. |
Yeah, I wish I could. My job has drug testing so I found long ago that my job was more important. Damn it!! |
I was wondering about the Gruv Glide's performance. I just bought Pink Floyd's WYWH on the Sony/Cbs Mastersound issue. The record has some loud pops. Just wondering which way to go for cleaning Disc Doctor and their brushes or Gruv Glide? Hey Scottht it has always worked for me, hear all that detail! |
Yeah, I have to agree with you. It is definatly a dry lubricant. Hey, the stuff works great. Don't get me wrong, I think it's worth twice what it costs. But if I knew what it was, I wouldn't mind saving a buck or two. My huffing days are long gone :-) Sometimes though I wonder what a nice joint would do to my soundstage!! |
I'm certain that it's not silicone but is rather a dry lubricant. One can will treat way more albums than the instructions say and I urge you to use it sparingly. I'm as cheap as anybody and feel it's a real bargain. Don't go huffing the stuff as I'm sure you will lose some valuable brain cells. Sorry about not answering you question directly but I'm sure that the formula is a well gaurded secret. |
