I never really gave this much thought until I read your posting Theo.
Over the past ten years I have bought close to 700 new and reissues recordings, mostly Jazz.
On occasion I buy select first issue, mostly 1950s Jazz.
Going on for 25 years I have always cleaned and vacuumed before play.
The few I returned with problems over the years were mainly do to a bad warp.
Recently one that stands out was Classics superb reissue 45 rpm box set of Harry Belafonte at Carnegie Hall, all but 2 were warped.
No problem, the dealer Diamond Groove flattened my copy in one of those LP cooker flatting things.
The few times I was in their store, there was always a stack of LPs waiting to be flattened. A time consuming process thats for sure.
A record cleaning machine is a must if you collect vintage vinyl and buy new releases.
For the past year I have been using Walkers active enzyme method of cleaning with par excellent results.
I'm sure there are other methods that are equally effective, however this is what I use.
Pops and ticks are very few and far between, actually this has never really been an issue with the majority of new and pristine used Lps that I have bought.
Zargoz, I have a copy of Brian Wilsons Smile, Iv'e only played it a couple of times and first out of the sleeve it was very quiet and an exceptionally good recording I found.
It makes me wonder what the previous owner of your copy put on the Lp to clean it.
Quality control no doubt varies. I have found Speakers Corner to be consistent especially with no humps.
Over the past ten years I have bought close to 700 new and reissues recordings, mostly Jazz.
On occasion I buy select first issue, mostly 1950s Jazz.
Going on for 25 years I have always cleaned and vacuumed before play.
The few I returned with problems over the years were mainly do to a bad warp.
Recently one that stands out was Classics superb reissue 45 rpm box set of Harry Belafonte at Carnegie Hall, all but 2 were warped.
No problem, the dealer Diamond Groove flattened my copy in one of those LP cooker flatting things.
The few times I was in their store, there was always a stack of LPs waiting to be flattened. A time consuming process thats for sure.
A record cleaning machine is a must if you collect vintage vinyl and buy new releases.
For the past year I have been using Walkers active enzyme method of cleaning with par excellent results.
I'm sure there are other methods that are equally effective, however this is what I use.
Pops and ticks are very few and far between, actually this has never really been an issue with the majority of new and pristine used Lps that I have bought.
Zargoz, I have a copy of Brian Wilsons Smile, Iv'e only played it a couple of times and first out of the sleeve it was very quiet and an exceptionally good recording I found.
It makes me wonder what the previous owner of your copy put on the Lp to clean it.
Quality control no doubt varies. I have found Speakers Corner to be consistent especially with no humps.