I shopped at an antique store, where the records were stacked out of their sleeves. I found the cardboard sleeve to a 1953 extended-play 45rpm record without the disc. I rummaged through the stacks and found the record that went with the sleeve. The sleeve was intact but a little faded from age. The record however was very grimy. For just a buck, I bought it and cleaned it up using your method. There were no bad scratches, just filthy. Now it plays like it's in near mint condition.
I have cleaned a few thousand 78 rpm records in the sink, a little dish soap on a soft haired, shoe polish applicator, and cold running water. Labels get wet, but they always dry without issue. Handle carefully, while cleaning, but otherwise, no damage is caused by cleaning 78 rpm records, as you do. I've been this for 20 + years.
Some Columbia records have a papier-mache interior, which, if there are any microscopic cracks, such as around the spindle hole, will swell if they get wet
WOW! That cleaning process really works! 78 labels were actually pressed INTO the record at the same time as the grooves were pressed. I'm not sure what the substrate of the label is (the material being printed), but it is thicker and more stable than just plain paper. (retired printer, here)
My dad was a lyricist who worked in the Brill Building in the 1950s and 60s. I inherited all of his one-sided 78 RPM demos, which were covered in dirt and mold. I had no idea how to clean them, so I will definitely give your method a try. It will be very nice to hear his old songs that I loved so much as a child (you do the math).
@@TheWertzuiop13 I think I recall my dad saying that Judy Collins started out as a demo singer, and she can be heard on a couple of his demos. He also had a couple of songs that were performed on the Ed Sullivan show (in the dim time lol).
Love the DIRTY/CLEAN comparison at the end. So many people don't understand how much better a clean record (and STYLUS) contribute to better sound quality. Honestly though, when it cums to cleaning the old 78's, I fill the kitchen sink with warm water and dish soap, I dunk the records right into the water (never ruined a single label), then I take a soft wash cloth saturated in dish soap and warm water and I give the ole 78 a gentle but efficient scrubbing. Then I rinse it with plain old tap water and drop it into my dish strainer to air dry for a few mins. Then I use a soft automotive drying towel to dry, buff and shine the record. In the end they sound 100 times better, and like I said, I've never damaged any records or labels in the process. I do the same with my LP's.
I’ve noticed that any video that involves cleaning records opens up a Pandora’s Box from collectors regarding “don’t do this….don’t do that…be careful with this…be careful with that…”. I’ve always found shellac / vinyl quite resilient….Great video here!
Noticeable improvement with the cleaned records. I have mentioned that I still have a few old 78's stashed away somewhere in my basement. This gets me inspired to dig them out and clean them. Might just have a 78 listening party this weekend! Thanks for the demonstration. Peace
The Groovmaster label saver makes this job a lot easier and enables you to blast the record surface with the water stream, really flushing out the grooves. This device is designed for 45/LP but it can be modified for 78s by simply getting standard sized mason jar rubber seals. Just clip off the lip and place it around the label, place the first plate on top and insert the threaded handle then flip and repeat. You'll have enough clearance between the plate and the end grooves to get a wet cloth in there. Greatly reduces the potential for accidental dropping.
I just purchased an antique Ernst Grossman crank “Talking Machine” with records. I so appreciate this video and feel confident cleaning them now. Can’t wait to use it.
I am soooo greatful for this video!! Thank you!! I just purchased a working brunswick and am doing alot of research on using it. The phonograph itself is in terrible condition and the 78s are filthy!! I had no idea that the needle was only supposed to be used once or twice until after my research and I fear I may have ruined a few of the records by playing them over and over again with the same needle. I will be subscribing to your channel to learn more!!
Wow, there is a level of dynamics and bass response there that I would never have expected from old 78s and a definite improvement! I just cleaned all mine with the Spin Clean tonight which I use with filtered water for vinyl and shellac records alike and it works quite well I must say.
I've used the spin clean (which is my standard method for vinyl) on 78s as well. It works great! I switched to the method in my video when I saw the video of Joe Bussard doing that. It works great - and it's convenient for cleaning 1 record or 100 records at a time. I don't usually set up the Spin Clean unless I'm going to clean a bunch of records; save on cleaning fluid. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
i also line my kitchen sink with a large old clean T-shirt just in case the record is dropped. Thanks for the demo, learned a lot! I found about 65 78rpm shellac records left in an old non working Victrola my aunt left me and had no idea how to clean them nor how to play them, so I have learned a lot from several of your videos. Great tips.
Man you saved me with your technique! And that 78 records storage store is so awesome I have a bunch of them 78s in worn books and old thin original papers! I'll keep them and consider having fresh paper sleeves like you and 78 boxes, gonna be wonderful! Seriously, this American bagsunlimited store is wonderful! Can't find so much stuff to store records and -mostly- 78s in one place than there! And they ship to Canada! Love from Québec, Canada! Awesome cleaning technique again!
So glad the video was helpful to you. Bags Unlimited is definitely a great resource for materials and storage solution. Great customer service too. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Thanks for the helpful video on how to clean 78's. I inherited about 200 78's from a relative recently, so I'm looking forward to using the method you recommend. One question I have is where do go to do your research on the records?
Hello, LaMar! One of the best online resources for 78 research is the Discography of American Historical Recordings. Link: adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php There you can search by catalog number, song, artist, etc. Lots of great discographical details. Enjoy the records you've inherited. It's definitely a fun and rewarding hobby. Skol! Jeff
At first I thought this vid was really too long, but then decided it was really good. I have seen another washing 78s, and the label, with no Ill effect, but the precaution from others here is worth noting.
Thanks for your knowledgeable advice. I recently acquired a stash of "ethnic", "World Music" 78's, hope to be able to make a few $$, but first, get'em clean !
To better protect a label, before scrubbing/washing a record, I wipe the label with a slightly damp cloth to clean it. Then I rub in a very small amount of vaseline onto the label and leave it on. After the final rinse, I carefully dry the record, trying to avoid spreading vaseline into the playing surface. I then buff the label carefully with a paper towel. The label has not only been protected from moisture, it looks a lot better too.
DY has at least 500+ 78's. We 'clean' them the same way as all the others. For the old/extremely dirty…I “wash” first in my old SpinClean using a 50/50 mix of distilled water and Simple Green, rinse in a second SC filled with distilled water only, and dry with a clean microfiber. Then a deep cycle on the HumminGuru Nova. A new vinyl purchase gets the Nova clean only. “It sounds like bacon smells”, Bonnie Raitt described her vintage 1965 Stratocaster.☮
excellent way to clean 78's. I do this also since ages. To play them NEVER forget to use OR a "mono-cartridge" OR to use the "mono-switch" on your (vintage) amp. And of course, you need a diamond-stylus suited for the job, otherwise your "point" will drop too low into the groove.
To add a fun fact about the labels of 78s: They're actually pressed into the shellac when the record is press molded. they're technically "fused" to it
I'm a fan of PVA glue cleaning. I thin the glue about 20% with water and let the solution sit on the record for 24 hours. Peel away all grime from deep in the groove.
Interesting video and helpful tips. I am going through my grandfather's records that have probably not been played since, well, a long time ago. This is Americana, very worth keeping. :)
I am cleaning some old records and one has paint on it. Like someone painted and splattered on it. It's a Lightning Hopkins 78 rpm so I want to clean it. How can I get the paint off?
Hi all...I am new to cleaning records. I collect everything. I now am old and have to get rid of things I don't want to end up in landfill. I had a recent flood and noticed some 78's I had look a little affected by the moisture in the air. I wanted to clean these up and photo them and find a home for them. They seem to be around the "Columbia" Woody Herman and the "Victor" Vaughn Monroe era. Can you tell me if these would have paper layer in center?
Thanks! I have another video giving all the details on my turntable and stylus - Best Way to Play 78s is in the title. Short answer to your question: Audio-Techinca LP120 with a Grado 78 cart. I try to replace the stylus once a year - but can go longer depending on the amount of use. Thank you for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Hi, I’ve watched this vid a few times and it’s really great! However I have a question; if alcohol dissolves shellac, do you need to make sure your detergent is non alcohol based?
Just getting into 78's I bought out an estate sale with 20 boxes of 78's. What turntable and cartridge would you recommend for playing them? THANKS for a GREAT video!
I have a bit of a problem. My sister lost her trailer home in Florida during the last hurricane she was able to salvage only a few things. And I told her I would be glad to try to clean her 78 RPM’s but this is not working too well. It’s not you or your technique. I just wonder if the water that came in (these records were covered with a film of mud) just had too much sand and dirt to be able to restore them. Any advice greatly appreciated! Thank you… Doug
Ok, I have inherited some 78s and I wanted to figure out if they played so I bought a cheap turntable to try them out. I am not an audiophile so please don’t harass me in the comments for this as I have a quite limited budget for this project. Some played very well but some did not. When the needle dropped it went straight to center without playing or played a few seconds then all the way to center. They do seem to have film or coating. Will cleaning them help or is this due to the cheap turntable? Is it possible that the needle accumulated a build up? Can I clean a needle? Thanks for the video and any other suggestions you may have.
Hello, Mary! Might be a dirty-record-problem. But sounds like more of a turntable issue. The needle will definitely accumulate build up, especially if the records haven't been cleaned. Hope that helps. Skol! Jeff
I recently added a 78 turntable to my audio system and have been cleaning 78s that I accumulated over the last three decades. I have been cleaning them very much as you are shown doing them here. The horsehair brush is a new one on me. I have the toothbrush and soft rags. Most of the 78s I have were bought at antique flea markets, used book shops and estate sales. I am hearing some of these for the first time. There are some 12” 78s I have which won’t track properly for the first inch or so; after that threshold has been crossed, they sound fine. My guess is heat damage from attic or basement storage. Maybe several repeated cleanings are in order to eradicate eighty to a hundred years of grit, right? I have both acoustic and electrical records.
Antoni! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! Appreciate it. Yes - lots of dirt and grime accumulates over the decades - or century. Not sure what would cause records to not track for the first inch or so. Maybe heat damage, maybe warpage. Interesting. Skol, Jeff
Hi I’m from Melbourne Australia and we have Costco where we can buy dawn but also been told Fairy blue dishwashing detergent is the same as dawn hope this helps
Hello ! I've received as a gift two old shellac records, they have printed photos on them. Can I clean them the way you do it with black shellac records ? Thanks !
Thanks so much! Recently picked up some decent 78s and scored a few from 1914-1918. Had to check back in this video to see if the method might be different for earlier 78s. But, your demo record's label is the same as mine so, same time period, I'm guessing. And, same cleaning procedure as my 1940-50s 78s!
Congratulations on your finds! I don't see a finds video. You should make one. I always enjoy seeing what records other collectors find. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I have acquired 26 of these shellac 78 records. They were all stacked up on the turntable of a really old portable player. One of the discs is in 3 pieces, and the others look pretty rough. As soon as I can find someone to fix the dragging on one side when it turns, I will really enjoy them. Any idea if these can be repaired? I'd like to fix the broken one if possible.
Hello, Diane! Thanks for watching and commenting. I have never tried repairing a completely broken shellac record that was in pieces. I've had luck with tight cracks, using tape on the edge of the record to keep the crack tight and the record playable. Enjoy the fun of 78s and listening to them on vintage equipment. It's a fun hobby. Skol, Jeff
Very nice video and also great to see a documentary about Joe. Can I use the same technique to wach LPs (vinyle) records or should use another method ?
Yes, you can use the same method on vinyl LPs. However, LP labels are much more easily damaged by water so the best thing is to you use a label protector. The GroovMaster Label Saver is the most popular VC favorite. Available for sale via eBay. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Hello, Joshua! Any turntable to has a 78rpm speed option will play them. However, 78s have a wider groove than the modern modern microgroove vinyl LPs, so the narrower stylus & cartridge that's intended for vinyl will ride in the bottom of a 78s groove, and essentially bounce around, providing noisy playback. So, a modern stylus and cartridge that's designed for 78s works the best. I use a Audio Technica LP-120 turntable with a Grado 78 cartridge and stylus. Sounds fantastic! Other companies make 78 cartridges - Ortofon being one. If you have a turntable that allows you to easily switch out the head shell, I recommend setting up a separate head shell with a 78-specific cartridge and stylus. It's not too expensive. The Grade is $90 and the Ortofon is $125, plus the cost of a headshell (about $30). Hope that's helpful. Skol! Jeff
Great video, Jeff. I have a question...I also have the spin-clean for records. Why is it you do not clean 78 Shellac's with their system? Thanks so much
Thanks, Barbara! Are you a 78 collector? Always appreciated meeting other 78 aficionados! In answer to your question... Early on, when I first got into collecting 78s, I did use the Spin Clean system. When I saw Joe Bussard's method (what showed in the video, with my own adjustments), I thought that seems a lot simpler, and I can wash one record, or 50 records, or more. Doesn't matter. With the Spin Clean I feel obligated to wash a bunch of records so as not to waste the cleaning solution. Plus, 78s are often REALLY dirty - so I was changing the water/solution quite often. In the sink, all that dirt and junk just goes down the drain. I also learned that 78s often have chips or cracks. You definitely don't want chipped/cracked records immersed in water, as the water can penetrate the chips/cracks and actually severely damage the record internally. Some 78s have a cardboard center - and to get that wet would be devastating. Many 78 collectors say that no cleaning solution that's used on vinyl records should be used on 78s, because it will damage them. So only water and simple soaps, I can't testify to that. I don't think the Spin Clean system ever damaged any of my 78s. Bottom line, I think, use the washing method that works for you and your records. Thanks for watching and commenting. Greatly appreciated!!! Skol, Jeff
I don't know... the cleaned records definitely had less crackles than the dirty version, but they also had a VERY noticeable increase of sibilant surface noise (edit: possibly only caused by your change of camera positionin relatio to the speakers?). Since later era 78s are actual shellac mixed with resin you may be scrubbing off the shellac finish with the shoe polish brush? I've heard people swear by spray-on furniture polish, picked some up, but have yet to try it out of concern for what residue it might leave.
I am new to 78’s. Should they be washed often? Growing up around 45’s I know we would “clean” then before every use with the disc brush but I never witnessed any of them being washed. After a Christmas gift of an old player case with a stack of 78’s I’m looking online for any info I can get on care for them. Thanks.
I clean mine only when I first acquire them. After that, just use a disc brush before each play; as you would with vinyl records. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
i stupidly propped up a 78 on an angle once, i knocked the bench once (accidentally) it slid and shattered on the bench, didnt even fall, just slid and landed flat
The book Indian Talking Machine by Robert Millis describes his witnessing owners using shoe polish in India. This stuck with me. R.Peter Munves told me that discs exposed to organic cactus needles hold splinters bonded by friction from the speed of rotation. He posed to me if I'd experienced HMV surface noise, which is there, we know, and said it was from the ardent use of thorns (Dennis Brain was quoted in the NY Times as an admirer) I was hearing. Today I used WD-40. I've been listening to 78 rpm records for 63 years and I heard something better than any LP after being disgusted by the RCA sound on my Rubinstein Szymanowski 4 Mazurkas. The whoosh disappeared, the surface noise undetectable with a Thorens 16 reproducer and soft steel needle.
That's how I do it too - more or less - except RCA Victors. Their labels fade. So I don't do it this way anymore or you have to be really really careful not to get the label wet. Columbia seems to survive with no problem. Some of the budget labels or small labels like Chess tend to crinkle.
Great video, Jeff. I would make a label protector (I have an old video on that in the archive) just so I wouldn't have to think about it when brushing, but I WOULDN'T use it during rinsing like I do with LPs - not durable enough.
Noice!! Love when poeple have simple solutions that everyone can use at home. By the way, I'd appreciate it if anyone could explain me something that I searched on Google, but, unfortunately, didn't find any clear answer. Why do almost all shellac record have some backround "scraping, scratchy", kind of like hiss noise? Are those modern styli to thin, so they scrape at the bottom? Or is that actually the sound from groove, because they couldn't record sound any cleaner then? Any answer would be appreciated.
It is actually the noise the record itself makes when the needle is running through the groove. It would help to close the lid of your phonograph if you can. That way less noise makes it out. This probably won't completely eliminate it but should help.
Thanks, but I played my schellac record (which looks as good as new, and almost has no pops) on a electric record player with my headphones on, so I know in this case that sound didn't come directly from stylus.
Use a stylus and cartridge that's made specifically for playing 78s. A modern stereo stylus is much narrower/smaller than the grooves of antique 78s. So, the stylus drops to the bottom of the groove and rides through all the dirt, dust, shellac & steel particles (because 78s, especially older ones from the late 1800s - 1920s were played on acoustic phonographs using steel needles). So, cleaning them will help. But playing them with the appropriate cartridge with wider stylus that rides the walls of the groove will make all the difference. I use the Grado 78c cartridge. There are others out there. The Grado just happens to be my preference. You can see that cartridge here: www.needledoctor.com/Grado-78C-Cartridge
The reason that shellac records have significantly higher surface noise than vinyl records is because of the high percentage filler material that was used in the shellac-based compound to make the records. Most 78 records contain 70% or more filler, which was most commonly limestone or slate. dust, but could include ground-up Masonry ,glass,etc.
Hello my name is Sean and I am a volunteer at the merredin railway museum in merredin and I have this record player that I own and have been using in the museum and was wondering if you know how to fix the recording it is scratched
That Columbia 78 RPM disc you are showing is not shellac, at least not on the surface. There is a core which is probably shellac or some similar substance. Then there is a thin sheet of paper on both sides of the core and finally a plasticized, laminated coating which was sprayed on to both sides of the disc just before pressing. The Victor discs are pure shellac through and through. So are Decca and Brunswick discs. In any case, you should clean any 78 RPM disc with cool (not hot) water from the tap being careful to avoid getting water on the label. If you do get water on the label, blot it off with a clean towel (cloth or paper). DO NOT under any circumstances use alcohol on shellac discs.
I had some bonuses in the past so I bought a vacuum cleaning system, it’s made all the difference. Great A/B comparison. I have to get my 78’s organized. Maybe after I’m done moving.
I heard DJ's use the place the record on a pencil spin it in the cleaning solution then spend it in a rinse and dry it as not to wet the label and make it come loose
Yes! I clean my vinyl records using the Spin Clean. Those that are extra dirty I run through the Spin Clean, take them out quick while wet, brush them a few times with the horsehair brush, then run them through the Spin Clean again. Does the trick and does not visibly scratch or cause any abrasions to the vinyl. Keep in mind I'm not pressing down with the brush, just brushing lightly so only the weight of the brush itself on the records. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Well, if water can be a hazard to labels, as some people here have said, then what about vacuuming the grooves? By the way, a great long-ago book by Cecil Watts showed photos of grooves, LP and 78. Many of the latter were full of metal chunks after just one playing with a metallic needle under a typically heavy and uncompliant pickup! Maybe a magnet for those???
Hello, Howard! Thank you for watching and commenting. I've heard about metal bits in grooves too. The magnet idea is very interesting. Makes sense. Don't think I've heard/seen anyone trying that. Skol! Jeff
Are you using a mono cartridge? If not why not? If so which brand/cart ? Stereo carts destroy these records and the stylus....that's a tip for newbees.
No problems with shellac 78s and water. Do have to be careful if shellac records are chipped or cracked. 78s sometimes have a cardboard center which should NOT get wet. Otherwise - wash away! Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I was interested in shellac records as kid, but the records broke, some of them by me, some of them, when the mother can't respect the son's property and breaks records as punishment. Was a little boy, it was about 38 years before
@@manFromPeterborough Yes, the Shure cartridges are really popular. Unfortunate that they've exited the business. Since day one, I've used the Grado 78 cartridge and stylus which I love. I haven't done a shoot-out with it and another brand for comparison, so can't speak to that, but I really like the way it sounds.
@@ToneInGrooves I'm not a Grado fan and being in Australia would make getting it here expensive, I think I got the Shure from UK ebay, cause it was cheaper that way than getting from the DJ shop ($150 in shop). I heard Grados love producing hum on certain TT esp Rega and LP120
I can go you one better . In a small bucket , use 1 cup T.S.P. (Tri sodium phosphate) found in any hardware store . Add fairly warm water. Wash with cloth .... and rinse. T.S.P. will be the only thing that will dissolve 100 years of build in grime and wash it away easily . Just remember not to use TSP straight up on shellac records or you'll dissolve the shellac. I've used this on vinyl as well for many years and works amazing at removing the most stubborn gunk.
Hi Jeff, after watching your clip here, I watched the making of 78 records: ua-cam.com/video/beMV5wcf0js/v-deo.html, the label is actually made in the record not stuck on as an after thought. This may be why you can wash these in the method you described unlike later LP's. A very interesting clip, a labour intensive process. I was a bit astounded by the mixing of the base ingredients with no face covering, I would hate to think what that could do to the lungs (but we now understand a lot more than we did then about toxins and the body. Sam
Do NOT do this on just any 78. They are not all made of the same material. Some have paper between the sides and if there is any kind of chip on the edge, the hole, or any kind of surface crack you will ruin the record. Also, test the labels first. Not all can take that much water.
Hi, Liz. Good point regarding chipped or cracked 78s. Something I did not address in the video. Yes, definitely do not wash records in this way that are chipped/cracked through to their paper or cardboard center. Thank you for watching and commenting! Skol, Jeff
Well I always clean My old 78rpm Records using Luke warm Soap warm water and a clean Jay cloth then I leave the substance to soak in for 5-6 minutes and rinse under a cold tap and dry with a dry cloth and it has worked perfectly well and I avoided using fancy chemicals cleaning fluids as they will do more harm than good
This would've been SO much better if he actually cleaned a DIRTY record, and secondly, if he wasn't so verbose. 8 minutes of info crammed into 21 minutes.
You have some great advice on cleaning old 78s and how to keep them after cleaning. Great stuff...BUT! the first third of the video is just talking; also, you need to realize that MOST of your audience has common sense and you do not need to explain every tiny detail of everything. I mean, just say 'luke warm' and let it go...too much time on simple topics. Overall you have a good video, just cut the jabber and make it interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the information, it is helpful. I still give it a thumbs up.
if you dont like jabber..you probably might not want to add your own.. perhaps add some of your own videos and show the world how a master does it haha
I Found a light rub WD-40 Specialist Silicone lubricant helps PVC & Shellac Silicone is All Plastics safe All metals safe All Resins safe All rubber Safe I use a Crap Cheap Turntable Under £$ 40.00 And toss it in the Stink - (Tanked) Dishwasher (the intention is Its unplugged and allowed to swim in water (even over a week if it has to) and will never be used for playing only for Wet cleaning them) + To save water Also have a USB Recharged Portable Shower + Pump with a 14 in one shower head Replacement so can keep reusing using The Soap water stage to wash a good Numberer of Records + Sous vide Cooker, (Immersion Heater Circulator) with temp Control (keeps the water to temp and balanced temp due it moves the water around Tanked Dishwasher Its not just Tap water you can use in them but also Distilled water + Isopropyl alcohol Just remember to buy A Water distiller with fan Condenser and you can keep reusing the Isopropyl alcohol + make your own Distilled water Use a jerry can to collect the Used Isopropyl alcohol > Boil it in the Water distiller solids "Mud" left in the boiling chamber You just washout with Tap water after The only dishwasher tabs for records are the ones that do Glass "Finish - Quantum" but this Reserved for the first 8 Washes - other washes most be done with the dishwasher Gels + castle liquid bio soap (more of a Organic oils)
ah man....this is terrible. I am sorry for the bad comment, but seriously - we use the mix of distilled water + isopropyl alcohol + photonal in setup of 900ml, 100ml, 5ml to keep the records as clean as possible and dry them without any leftovers and sediment. Never touch the record with anything hard to avoid scraches and finger marks.
Whatever works for you, Grzegorz. I invite you to make & post a video of your cleaning process; educate us all by demonstrating your better method and its superior results. Thanks for watching!
If anything rinsing w distilled water after cleaning & before drying is probably best path to reduced degradation. Hard water residues may contribute to snap, crackle, pop & abrasion from hard water residues.
Denatured Alcohol is the best way to clean shellac. *DO NOT DO THIS!, It’s an inside joke for people familiar with how well Denatured Alcohol eats away at Shellac*
NEVER use denatured alcohol on shellac-- alcohol is shellac's SOLVENT! it will dissolve shellac records, and modern vinyl ones for that matter. obviously you have NO IDEA what you're talking about!!!!
@@SeeburgMusic 😂 calm down friend, I restore antique furniture,I use denatured alcohol to strip shellac off furniture It was a joke that apparently didn’t erect the lol’s I’d aimed for.
@@andrewgarratt5191 Sarcasm & irony are difficult to differentiate w simple texts from belief systems w/o body language. You know your intent but unless you are addressing someone familiar w yr mindset it’s all whoosh. Suggest adding (sarcasm) tag, or whatever variation, to help true believers to distinguish. Communication skills are increasingly essential as everything becomes virtual.
@@literatious308 Thank you, I never actually thought someone would try this… But I was not thinking about how a lot of folks might simply not know any better. I’ll fix it. Thanks again.
I shopped at an antique store, where the records were stacked out of their sleeves. I found the cardboard sleeve to a 1953 extended-play 45rpm record without the disc. I rummaged through the stacks and found the record that went with the sleeve. The sleeve was intact but a little faded from age. The record however was very grimy. For just a buck, I bought it and cleaned it up using your method. There were no bad scratches, just filthy. Now it plays like it's in near mint condition.
I have cleaned a few thousand 78 rpm records in the sink, a little dish soap on a soft haired, shoe polish applicator, and cold running water. Labels get wet, but they always dry without issue. Handle carefully, while cleaning, but otherwise, no damage is caused by cleaning 78 rpm records, as you do. I've been this for 20 + years.
Some Columbia records have a papier-mache interior, which, if there are any microscopic cracks, such as around the spindle hole, will swell if they get wet
WOW! That cleaning process really works!
78 labels were actually pressed INTO the record at the same time as the grooves were pressed. I'm not sure what the substrate of the label is (the material being printed), but it is thicker and more stable than just plain paper. (retired printer, here)
I just inherited an old 1922 Victrola and apparently a new hobby of record collecting. This was so helpful!! The sound difference was amazing.
So glad the video was helpful. Enjoy the hobby! Skol! Jeff
My dad was a lyricist who worked in the Brill Building in the 1950s and 60s. I inherited all of his one-sided 78 RPM demos, which were covered in dirt and mold. I had no idea how to clean them, so I will definitely give your method a try. It will be very nice to hear his old songs that I loved so much as a child (you do the math).
oh wow, sounds like having history at your home, you should definetly record it and put it on your channel, i would love to watch it tbh
@@TheWertzuiop13 I think I recall my dad saying that Judy Collins started out as a demo singer, and she can be heard on a couple of his demos. He also had a couple of songs that were performed on the Ed Sullivan show (in the dim time lol).
Love the DIRTY/CLEAN comparison at the end. So many people don't understand how much better a clean record (and STYLUS) contribute to better sound quality. Honestly though, when it cums to cleaning the old 78's, I fill the kitchen sink with warm water and dish soap, I dunk the records right into the water (never ruined a single label), then I take a soft wash cloth saturated in dish soap and warm water and I give the ole 78 a gentle but efficient scrubbing. Then I rinse it with plain old tap water and drop it into my dish strainer to air dry for a few mins. Then I use a soft automotive drying towel to dry, buff and shine the record. In the end they sound 100 times better, and like I said, I've never damaged any records or labels in the process. I do the same with my LP's.
Comes * don’t get too excited bro
@@aggelosk3013 I wrote a novel and you're stressing out over ONE word. THAT'S the problem with this world.
Thanks for the tip Ken
@@aggelosk3013 hope he didn’t nut himself🤣
I’ve noticed that any video that involves cleaning records opens up a Pandora’s Box from collectors regarding “don’t do this….don’t do that…be careful with this…be careful with that…”. I’ve always found shellac / vinyl quite resilient….Great video here!
For sure! Just about any "How To" video related to records in general creates a mine field of debate. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Decca/Brunswick/and Capitol 78 labels are VERY easy to ruin via water most of the time. So keep in mind for that
Really? I have never ruined them!) but have washed them with power)))))
One should dab dry asap
B & W label the ink dissolves off completely
@@hyzercreek Black & White? or just B&W?
@@CPorter The record label says both. It says B&W at the top and black and white below it
Noticeable improvement with the cleaned records. I have mentioned that I still have a few old 78's stashed away somewhere in my basement. This gets me inspired to dig them out and clean them. Might just have a 78 listening party this weekend!
Thanks for the demonstration.
Peace
Topper! Thanks for watching! Yeah, man! Get those 78s out, clean 'em up and enjoy. Such great music! Skol, Jeff
The Groovmaster label saver makes this job a lot easier and enables you to blast the record surface with the water stream, really flushing out the grooves. This device is designed for 45/LP but it can be modified for 78s by simply getting standard sized mason jar rubber seals. Just clip off the lip and place it around the label, place the first plate on top and insert the threaded handle then flip and repeat. You'll have enough clearance between the plate and the end grooves to get a wet cloth in there. Greatly reduces the potential for accidental dropping.
Good tip! Thanks for sharing it. Skol! Jeff
Cheers. I just scored a collection of 78s, bought a cheap usb record player until I get a gramophone. This is a great guide.
I just purchased an antique Ernst Grossman crank “Talking Machine” with records. I so appreciate this video and feel confident cleaning them now. Can’t wait to use it.
I am soooo greatful for this video!! Thank you!! I just purchased a working brunswick and am doing alot of research on using it. The phonograph itself is in terrible condition and the 78s are filthy!! I had no idea that the needle was only supposed to be used once or twice until after my research and I fear I may have ruined a few of the records by playing them over and over again with the same needle. I will be subscribing to your channel to learn more!!
Wow, there is a level of dynamics and bass response there that I would never have expected from old 78s and a definite improvement! I just cleaned all mine with the Spin Clean tonight which I use with filtered water for vinyl and shellac records alike and it works quite well I must say.
I've used the spin clean (which is my standard method for vinyl) on 78s as well. It works great! I switched to the method in my video when I saw the video of Joe Bussard doing that. It works great - and it's convenient for cleaning 1 record or 100 records at a time. I don't usually set up the Spin Clean unless I'm going to clean a bunch of records; save on cleaning fluid. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
i have the SPIN CLEAN and the RONCO cleaner/dryer[i got for free]...What i'd like to ask is that with 78's is it ok to use.? from Greece
i also line my kitchen sink with a large old clean T-shirt just in case the record is dropped. Thanks for the demo, learned a lot! I found about 65 78rpm shellac records left in an old non working Victrola my aunt left me and had no idea how to clean them nor how to play them, so I have learned a lot from several of your videos. Great tips.
Hello, Tina! Enjoy you find of 78s. It's definitely a fun and rewarding hobby. Skol! Jeff
The same way I've seen Joe Bussard clean them so you it's the right way !!
Man you saved me with your technique! And that 78 records storage store is so awesome I have a bunch of them 78s in worn books and old thin original papers! I'll keep them and consider having fresh paper sleeves like you and 78 boxes, gonna be wonderful!
Seriously, this American bagsunlimited store is wonderful! Can't find so much stuff to store records and -mostly- 78s in one place than there! And they ship to Canada! Love from Québec, Canada! Awesome cleaning technique again!
So glad the video was helpful to you. Bags Unlimited is definitely a great resource for materials and storage solution. Great customer service too. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Thanks for the helpful video on how to clean 78's. I inherited about 200 78's from a relative recently, so I'm looking forward to using the method you recommend. One question I have is where do go to do your research on the records?
Hello, LaMar! One of the best online resources for 78 research is the Discography of American Historical Recordings. Link: adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php
There you can search by catalog number, song, artist, etc. Lots of great discographical details. Enjoy the records you've inherited. It's definitely a fun and rewarding hobby. Skol! Jeff
At first I thought this vid was really too long, but then decided it was really good. I have seen another washing 78s, and the label, with no Ill effect, but the precaution from others here is worth noting.
Hello, John! Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Thanks for your knowledgeable advice. I recently acquired a stash of "ethnic", "World Music" 78's, hope to be able to make a few $$, but first, get'em clean !
Thank you, Mary, for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
To better protect a label, before scrubbing/washing a record, I wipe the label with a slightly damp cloth to clean it. Then I rub in a very small amount of vaseline onto the label and leave it on. After the final rinse, I carefully dry the record, trying to avoid spreading vaseline into the playing surface. I then buff the label carefully with a paper towel. The label has not only been protected from moisture, it looks a lot better too.
DY has at least 500+ 78's. We 'clean' them the same way as all the others.
For the old/extremely dirty…I “wash” first in my old SpinClean using a 50/50 mix of distilled water and Simple Green, rinse in a second SC filled with distilled water only, and dry with a clean microfiber.
Then a deep cycle on the HumminGuru Nova.
A new vinyl purchase gets the Nova clean only.
“It sounds like bacon smells”, Bonnie Raitt described her vintage 1965 Stratocaster.☮
excellent way to clean 78's. I do this also since ages.
To play them NEVER forget to use OR a "mono-cartridge" OR to use the "mono-switch" on your (vintage) amp. And of course, you need a diamond-stylus suited for the job, otherwise your "point" will drop too low into the groove.
Thanks so much I just started collecting and this is extremely helpful!
To add a fun fact about the labels of 78s: They're actually pressed into the shellac when the record is press molded. they're technically "fused" to it
I'm a fan of PVA glue cleaning. I thin the glue about 20% with water and let the solution sit on the record for 24 hours. Peel away all grime from deep in the groove.
What kind of brush ? Hard or soft brissels?
I'm gonna break out a tooth brush on a couple of mine that need a little more attention after the 1st washing.
Interesting video and helpful tips. I am going through my grandfather's records that have probably not been played since, well, a long time ago. This is Americana, very worth keeping. :)
Hello, Kathleen! Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes - great Americana that worth saving. Whole world of great music to explore. Skol! Jeff
I love 78's!
I am cleaning some old records and one has paint on it. Like someone painted and splattered on it. It's a Lightning Hopkins 78 rpm so I want to clean it. How can I get the paint off?
Hi all...I am new to cleaning records. I collect everything. I now am old and have to get rid of things I don't want to end up in landfill. I had a recent flood and noticed some 78's I had look a little affected by the moisture in the air. I wanted to clean these up and photo them and find a home for them. They seem to be around the "Columbia" Woody Herman and the "Victor" Vaughn Monroe era. Can you tell me if these would have paper layer in center?
Good Video Jeff , You did a nice job on it . What Kind of turntable and Stylus do You have here ? How Many plays do you get with this needle ?
Thanks! I have another video giving all the details on my turntable and stylus - Best Way to Play 78s is in the title. Short answer to your question: Audio-Techinca LP120 with a Grado 78 cart. I try to replace the stylus once a year - but can go longer depending on the amount of use. Thank you for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Hi, I’ve watched this vid a few times and it’s really great! However I have a question; if alcohol dissolves shellac, do you need to make sure your detergent is non alcohol based?
Just getting into 78's I bought out an estate sale with 20 boxes of 78's. What turntable and cartridge would you recommend for playing them? THANKS for a GREAT video!
I have a bit of a problem. My sister lost her trailer home in Florida during the last hurricane she was able to salvage only a few things. And I told her I would be glad to try to clean her 78 RPM’s but this is not working too well. It’s not you or your technique. I just wonder if the water that came in (these records were covered with a film of mud) just had too much sand and dirt to be able to restore them. Any advice greatly appreciated!
Thank you… Doug
Just got about 50 of them from my mom after she passed. I need to learn what I can past turntables and cartridges.
Ok, I have inherited some 78s and I wanted to figure out if they played so I bought a cheap turntable to try them out. I am not an audiophile so please don’t harass me in the comments for this as I have a quite limited budget for this project. Some played very well but some did not. When the needle dropped it went straight to center without playing or played a few seconds then all the way to center. They do seem to have film or coating. Will cleaning them help or is this due to the cheap turntable? Is it possible that the needle accumulated a build up? Can I clean a needle? Thanks for the video and any other suggestions you may have.
Hello, Mary! Might be a dirty-record-problem. But sounds like more of a turntable issue. The needle will definitely accumulate build up, especially if the records haven't been cleaned. Hope that helps. Skol! Jeff
Do you if possible obtain original 78 sleeves.?
I recently added a 78 turntable to my audio system and have been cleaning 78s that I accumulated over the last three decades. I have been cleaning them very much as you are shown doing them here. The horsehair brush is a new one on me. I have the toothbrush and soft rags. Most of the 78s I have were bought at antique flea markets, used book shops and estate sales. I am hearing some of these for the first time. There are some 12” 78s I have which won’t track properly for the first inch or so; after that threshold has been crossed, they sound fine. My guess is heat damage from attic or basement storage. Maybe several repeated cleanings are in order to eradicate eighty to a hundred years of grit, right? I have both acoustic and electrical records.
Antoni! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! Appreciate it. Yes - lots of dirt and grime accumulates over the decades - or century. Not sure what would cause records to not track for the first inch or so. Maybe heat damage, maybe warpage. Interesting. Skol, Jeff
What is the UK equivalent of Dawn non concentrated dish soap?
Hi I’m from Melbourne Australia and we have Costco where we can buy dawn but also been told Fairy blue dishwashing detergent is the same as dawn hope this helps
Thank-you for kind lecture.I have been searching for suitable brush for cleaning record ditch."horse hair shoe brush"!! I will try.-from Japan
Hello ! I've received as a gift two old shellac records, they have printed photos on them. Can I clean them the way you do it with black shellac records ? Thanks !
Nice presentation, Jeff. Thank you.
Thank you for watching! Skol, Jeff
Thanks so much! Recently picked up some decent 78s and scored a few from 1914-1918. Had to check back in this video to see if the method might be different for earlier 78s. But, your demo record's label is the same as mine so, same time period, I'm guessing. And, same cleaning procedure as my 1940-50s 78s!
Congratulations on your finds! I don't see a finds video. You should make one. I always enjoy seeing what records other collectors find. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
@@ToneInGrooves Thanks Jeff I've never made a finds video but I'll do my best to post one soon!
I have acquired 26 of these shellac 78 records. They were all stacked up on the turntable of a really old portable player. One of the discs is in 3 pieces, and the others look pretty rough. As soon as I can find someone to fix the dragging on one side when it turns, I will really enjoy them. Any idea if these can be repaired? I'd like to fix the broken one if possible.
Hello, Diane! Thanks for watching and commenting. I have never tried repairing a completely broken shellac record that was in pieces. I've had luck with tight cracks, using tape on the edge of the record to keep the crack tight and the record playable. Enjoy the fun of 78s and listening to them on vintage equipment. It's a fun hobby. Skol, Jeff
Do you need to de-static the record too?
Very nice video and also great to see a documentary about Joe.
Can I use the same technique to wach LPs (vinyle) records or should use another method ?
Yes, you can use the same method on vinyl LPs. However, LP labels are much more easily damaged by water so the best thing is to you use a label protector. The GroovMaster Label Saver is the most popular VC favorite. Available for sale via eBay. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
How do I play them on a decent budget turntable? What do you recommend please?
Hello, Joshua! Any turntable to has a 78rpm speed option will play them. However, 78s have a wider groove than the modern modern microgroove vinyl LPs, so the narrower stylus & cartridge that's intended for vinyl will ride in the bottom of a 78s groove, and essentially bounce around, providing noisy playback. So, a modern stylus and cartridge that's designed for 78s works the best. I use a Audio Technica LP-120 turntable with a Grado 78 cartridge and stylus. Sounds fantastic! Other companies make 78 cartridges - Ortofon being one. If you have a turntable that allows you to easily switch out the head shell, I recommend setting up a separate head shell with a 78-specific cartridge and stylus. It's not too expensive. The Grade is $90 and the Ortofon is $125, plus the cost of a headshell (about $30). Hope that's helpful. Skol! Jeff
I've using Dawn concentrate dish soap. Is that safe on shellac records?
Yes it's safe to use dawn dish soap on shellac record.
I have 100s of singers from 1900-1930. Looking to sell them or put them in a museum ? Suggestions
Jeff kudos to you love the hat. Thanks for taking the time to do this video. Regards
My pleasure. Thanks for watching! Always greatly appreciated. Skol, Jeff
Great video, Jeff. I have a question...I also have the spin-clean for records. Why is it you do not clean 78 Shellac's with their system? Thanks so much
Thanks, Barbara! Are you a 78 collector? Always appreciated meeting other 78 aficionados! In answer to your question... Early on, when I first got into collecting 78s, I did use the Spin Clean system. When I saw Joe Bussard's method (what showed in the video, with my own adjustments), I thought that seems a lot simpler, and I can wash one record, or 50 records, or more. Doesn't matter. With the Spin Clean I feel obligated to wash a bunch of records so as not to waste the cleaning solution. Plus, 78s are often REALLY dirty - so I was changing the water/solution quite often. In the sink, all that dirt and junk just goes down the drain. I also learned that 78s often have chips or cracks. You definitely don't want chipped/cracked records immersed in water, as the water can penetrate the chips/cracks and actually severely damage the record internally. Some 78s have a cardboard center - and to get that wet would be devastating. Many 78 collectors say that no cleaning solution that's used on vinyl records should be used on 78s, because it will damage them. So only water and simple soaps, I can't testify to that. I don't think the Spin Clean system ever damaged any of my 78s. Bottom line, I think, use the washing method that works for you and your records. Thanks for watching and commenting. Greatly appreciated!!! Skol, Jeff
Tone In Grooves Thanks very much for your thorough answer Jeff. I am off to buy my horse hair shoe brush and dawn tomorrow.
I don't know... the cleaned records definitely had less crackles than the dirty version, but they also had a VERY noticeable increase of sibilant surface noise (edit: possibly only caused by your change of camera positionin relatio to the speakers?). Since later era 78s are actual shellac mixed with resin you may be scrubbing off the shellac finish with the shoe polish brush? I've heard people swear by spray-on furniture polish, picked some up, but have yet to try it out of concern for what residue it might leave.
Camera angle change caused me to have same question regarding orientation to speakers.
Are you by any chance educated in engineering or STEM?
Thanks very much for the detailed info for the average collector.
My pleasure! Glad you found the video to be helpful. Thank you for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I am new to 78’s. Should they be washed often? Growing up around 45’s I know we would “clean” then before every use with the disc brush but I never witnessed any of them being washed. After a Christmas gift of an old player case with a stack of 78’s I’m looking online for any info I can get on care for them. Thanks.
I clean mine only when I first acquire them. After that, just use a disc brush before each play; as you would with vinyl records. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
If you want to skip a bunch of bologna and to the point, jump to 3:10.
How careful do I need to be with 78's? It sounds like they would shatter from a fall greater than a foot on hardwood.
Eduardo - extremely careful. Shellac records crack and break very easily. Thanks for watching and commenting!
i stupidly propped up a 78 on an angle once, i knocked the bench once (accidentally) it slid and shattered on the bench, didnt even fall, just slid and landed flat
Picked a 78 up on one side once. Big mistake. 😢
The book Indian Talking Machine by Robert Millis describes his witnessing owners using shoe polish in India.
This stuck with me. R.Peter Munves told me that discs exposed to organic cactus needles hold splinters bonded by friction from the speed of rotation. He posed to me if I'd experienced HMV surface noise, which is there, we know, and said it was from the ardent use of thorns (Dennis Brain was quoted in the NY Times as an admirer) I was hearing.
Today I used WD-40. I've been listening to 78 rpm records for 63 years and I heard something better than any LP after being disgusted by the RCA sound on my Rubinstein Szymanowski 4 Mazurkas. The whoosh disappeared, the surface noise undetectable with a Thorens 16 reproducer and soft steel needle.
Very interesting. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
That's how I do it too - more or less - except RCA Victors. Their labels fade. So I don't do it this way anymore or you have to be really really careful not to get the label wet. Columbia seems to survive with no problem. Some of the budget labels or small labels like Chess tend to crinkle.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Hi, posted a comment reguarding cleaning 78 s, not able to find it, did i post it the wrong way , asking for your thoughts
Richard, somehow your comment was posted as a response to someone else's comment. I replied below...
Great video, Jeff. I would make a label protector (I have an old video on that in the archive) just so I wouldn't have to think about it when brushing, but I WOULDN'T use it during rinsing like I do with LPs - not durable enough.
Scrubbing Bubbles also works well on 78's.
Interesting. Never tried that. Thanks for commenting! Skol, Jeff
Noice!! Love when poeple have simple solutions that everyone can use at home. By the way, I'd appreciate it if anyone could explain me something that I searched on Google, but, unfortunately, didn't find any clear answer. Why do almost all shellac record have some backround "scraping, scratchy", kind of like hiss noise? Are those modern styli to thin, so they scrape at the bottom? Or is that actually the sound from groove, because they couldn't record sound any cleaner then?
Any answer would be appreciated.
It is actually the noise the record itself makes when the needle is running through the groove. It would help to close the lid of your phonograph if you can. That way less noise makes it out. This probably won't completely eliminate it but should help.
Thanks, but I played my schellac record (which looks as good as new, and almost has no pops) on a electric record player with my headphones on, so I know in this case that sound didn't come directly from stylus.
Use a stylus and cartridge that's made specifically for playing 78s. A modern stereo stylus is much narrower/smaller than the grooves of antique 78s. So, the stylus drops to the bottom of the groove and rides through all the dirt, dust, shellac & steel particles (because 78s, especially older ones from the late 1800s - 1920s were played on acoustic phonographs using steel needles). So, cleaning them will help. But playing them with the appropriate cartridge with wider stylus that rides the walls of the groove will make all the difference. I use the Grado 78c cartridge. There are others out there. The Grado just happens to be my preference. You can see that cartridge here: www.needledoctor.com/Grado-78C-Cartridge
@@ToneInGrooves Thank you for your suggestions, but yes, I did use the correct stylus. I used a stylus from those old two styli flip cartridges.
The reason that shellac records have significantly higher surface noise than vinyl records is because of the high percentage filler material that was used in the shellac-based compound to make the records. Most 78 records contain 70% or more filler, which was most commonly limestone or slate. dust, but could include ground-up Masonry ,glass,etc.
You don't have to clean them that way.. a damp cloth cleans them just as great! You could've saved your labels just using a damp cloth dude
I like your idea of the horse brush,, Cool.
Why no surfactant? Do the harm shellac? I.e. Tergiclean or photo developing fluid.
TergiKleen, alcohol, and other chemicals should not be used on shellac. Simple soap and water does the trick. Skol! Jeff
Hello my name is Sean and I am a volunteer at the merredin railway museum in merredin and I have this record player that I own and have been using in the museum and was wondering if you know how to fix the recording it is scratched
What do you mean, "fix the recording"?? ...
That Columbia 78 RPM disc you are showing is not shellac, at least not on the surface. There is a core which is probably shellac or some similar substance. Then there is a thin sheet of paper on both sides of the core and finally a plasticized, laminated coating which was sprayed on to both sides of the disc just before pressing. The Victor discs are pure shellac through and through. So are Decca and Brunswick discs. In any case, you should clean any 78 RPM disc with cool (not hot) water from the tap being careful to avoid getting water on the label. If you do get water on the label, blot it off with a clean towel (cloth or paper). DO NOT under any circumstances use alcohol on shellac discs.
Perfect record drying rack. Where did you get it?
Wal-Mart! Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Rod T Would you share a link to that rack on Amazon? I’d love to upgrade to one that holds more. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I had some bonuses in the past so I bought a vacuum cleaning system, it’s made all the difference. Great A/B comparison. I have to get my 78’s organized. Maybe after I’m done moving.
Hey Darrell! That's awesome. I have not tried vacuum cleaning. Bet it makes a huge difference. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I heard DJ's use the place the record on a pencil spin it in the cleaning solution then spend it in a rinse and dry it as not to wet the label and make it come loose
How NOT to clean 78's - Don't use rubbing alcohol. It destroys the shellac surface.
Brian Mars Definitely! Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol, Jeff
BUT ALCOHOL WAS SPECIFIED BY EDISON FOR ITS DIAMOND DISKS: THEY'RE NOT SHELLACS. HAPPY 80 RPM TO 'YAWL'!
can you use that brush on all records?
Yes! I clean my vinyl records using the Spin Clean. Those that are extra dirty I run through the Spin Clean, take them out quick while wet, brush them a few times with the horsehair brush, then run them through the Spin Clean again. Does the trick and does not visibly scratch or cause any abrasions to the vinyl. Keep in mind I'm not pressing down with the brush, just brushing lightly so only the weight of the brush itself on the records. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Well, if water can be a hazard to labels, as some people here have said, then what about vacuuming the grooves?
By the way, a great long-ago book by Cecil Watts showed photos of grooves, LP and 78. Many of the latter were full of metal chunks after just one playing with a metallic needle under a typically heavy and uncompliant pickup! Maybe a magnet for those???
Hello, Howard! Thank you for watching and commenting. I've heard about metal bits in grooves too. The magnet idea is very interesting. Makes sense. Don't think I've heard/seen anyone trying that. Skol! Jeff
Are you using a mono cartridge? If not why not? If so which brand/cart ? Stereo carts destroy these records and the stylus....that's a tip for newbees.
Hello! Yes, I'm using a mono cartridge. I use the Grado 78c. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I thought shellac reacted poorly to water, am I wrong?
No problems with shellac 78s and water. Do have to be careful if shellac records are chipped or cracked. 78s sometimes have a cardboard center which should NOT get wet. Otherwise - wash away! Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I was interested in shellac records as kid, but the records broke, some of them by me, some of them, when the mother can't respect the son's property and breaks records as punishment. Was a little boy, it was about 38 years before
Oh wow, that was a mean kind of punishment...
Great video Jeff! This was a great demonstration. Definite improvement.
Thank you! And thank you for watching & commenting. Greatly appreciated! Skol, Jeff
I finish washing with distill water
The brush freaks me out! I NEVER use brush in record cleaning. Just the hands and jets of water.
We all have our favorite method. What ever works! Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Never clean the "B & W" ("Black and White") label with water, the entire label dissolves off. Completely gone. And it's a good R&B label.
Def Improvement ,Cheers !!
I used a trigger spray bottle (500ml) with 1/2 tspn dish detergent for cleaning 78s and dirty vinyl with toothbrush
Hey, Vaughn. Interesting method. Never thought of that. Thanks for watching and commenting! Skol, Jeff
I use Shure M78S with after market Pfanstiehl or EVG stylus (the stock one too flimsy to track over 2g)
@@manFromPeterborough Yes, the Shure cartridges are really popular. Unfortunate that they've exited the business. Since day one, I've used the Grado 78 cartridge and stylus which I love. I haven't done a shoot-out with it and another brand for comparison, so can't speak to that, but I really like the way it sounds.
@@ToneInGrooves I'm not a Grado fan and being in Australia would make getting it here expensive, I think I got the Shure from UK ebay, cause it was cheaper that way than getting from the DJ shop ($150 in shop). I heard Grados love producing hum on certain TT esp Rega and LP120
Though he was Billie Jole!!☺️
i would honestly try to avoid this do to the labels.
I'm careful. Haven't ruined one yet. Thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
I can go you one better . In a small bucket , use 1 cup T.S.P. (Tri sodium phosphate) found in any hardware store . Add fairly warm water. Wash with cloth .... and rinse. T.S.P. will be the only thing that will dissolve 100 years of build in grime and wash it away easily . Just remember not to use TSP straight up on shellac records or you'll dissolve the shellac. I've used this on vinyl as well for many years and works amazing at removing the most stubborn gunk.
Hi Jeff, after watching your clip here, I watched the making of 78 records: ua-cam.com/video/beMV5wcf0js/v-deo.html, the label is actually made in the record not stuck on as an after thought. This may be why you can wash these in the method you described unlike later LP's. A very interesting clip, a labour intensive process. I was a bit astounded by the mixing of the base ingredients with no face covering, I would hate to think what that could do to the lungs (but we now understand a lot more than we did then about toxins and the body. Sam
Hello, Sam! Very cool video. Thanks for sharing that link. And thanks for watching and commenting. Skol! Jeff
Do NOT do this on just any 78. They are not all made of the same material. Some have paper between the sides and if there is any kind of chip on the edge, the hole, or any kind of surface crack you will ruin the record.
Also, test the labels first. Not all can take that much water.
Hi, Liz. Good point regarding chipped or cracked 78s. Something I did not address in the video. Yes, definitely do not wash records in this way that are chipped/cracked through to their paper or cardboard center. Thank you for watching and commenting! Skol, Jeff
Not alchool or.alchoolic liquid.
Well I always clean My old 78rpm Records using Luke warm Soap warm water and a clean Jay cloth then I leave the substance to soak in for 5-6 minutes and rinse under a cold tap and dry with a dry cloth and it has worked perfectly well and I avoided using fancy chemicals cleaning fluids as they will do more harm than good
Hi, Martin! Thanks for watching and commenting. Always looking for ways to improve my record cleaning methods. Skol! Jeff
Jesus Christ died for you so live for him and live
This would've been SO much better if he actually cleaned a DIRTY record, and secondly, if he wasn't so verbose. 8 minutes of info crammed into 21 minutes.
Hello, DouglassD! Thank you for watching my video. Skol! Jeff (The "he" you refer to in your comments)
Annoying. Please get on with it
Too much repetitive talk. Just get to the point of your process!
Well...Hello, Sherrie! Thank you for watching. Skol! Jeff
You have some great advice on cleaning old 78s and how to keep them after cleaning. Great stuff...BUT! the first third of the video is just talking; also, you need to realize that MOST of your audience has common sense and you do not need to explain every tiny detail of everything. I mean, just say 'luke warm' and let it go...too much time on simple topics. Overall you have a good video, just cut the jabber and make it interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the information, it is helpful. I still give it a thumbs up.
if you dont like jabber..you probably might not want to add your own.. perhaps add some of your own videos and show the world how a master does it haha
Do you ever stop talking and do some cleaning ?
I Found a light rub WD-40 Specialist Silicone lubricant helps PVC & Shellac
Silicone is All Plastics safe All metals safe All Resins safe All rubber Safe
I use a Crap Cheap Turntable Under £$ 40.00 And toss it in the Stink - (Tanked) Dishwasher (the intention is Its unplugged and allowed to swim in water (even over a week if it has to) and will never be used for playing only for Wet cleaning them)
+ To save water Also have a USB Recharged Portable Shower + Pump with a 14 in one shower head Replacement so can keep reusing using The Soap water stage to wash a good Numberer of Records + Sous vide Cooker, (Immersion Heater Circulator) with temp Control (keeps the water to temp and balanced temp due it moves the water around
Tanked Dishwasher Its not just Tap water you can use in them but also Distilled water + Isopropyl alcohol
Just remember to buy A Water distiller with fan Condenser and you can keep reusing the Isopropyl alcohol + make your own Distilled water
Use a jerry can to collect the Used Isopropyl alcohol > Boil it in the Water distiller solids "Mud" left in the boiling chamber You just washout with Tap water after
The only dishwasher tabs for records are the ones that do Glass "Finish - Quantum" but this Reserved for the first 8 Washes - other washes most be done with the dishwasher Gels + castle liquid bio soap (more of a Organic oils)
Great video. I would never have washed my records like this, as I thought they were more sensitive.
Btw...your sink is kinda disgusting 🙃
Thanks for watching. Skol! Jeff
ah man....this is terrible. I am sorry for the bad comment, but seriously - we use
the mix of
distilled water + isopropyl alcohol + photonal in setup of 900ml, 100ml, 5ml to keep the records as clean as possible and dry them without any leftovers and sediment. Never touch the record with anything hard to avoid scraches and finger marks.
Whatever works for you, Grzegorz. I invite you to make & post a video of your cleaning process; educate us all by demonstrating your better method and its superior results. Thanks for watching!
NEVER USE ANY TYPE OF ALCOHOL ON SHELLAC RECORDS! Grzegorz you obviously need to be educated about SHELLAC RECORD CLEANING!!!!!!!!
If anything rinsing w distilled water after cleaning & before drying is probably best path to reduced degradation.
Hard water residues may contribute to snap, crackle, pop & abrasion from hard water residues.
Don't use alcohol on shellack. You will ruin it. Yikes!!!
Denatured Alcohol is the best way to clean shellac.
*DO NOT DO THIS!, It’s an inside joke for people familiar with how well Denatured Alcohol eats away at Shellac*
NEVER use denatured alcohol on shellac-- alcohol is shellac's SOLVENT! it will dissolve shellac records, and modern vinyl ones for that matter. obviously you have NO IDEA what you're talking about!!!!
@@SeeburgMusic 😂 calm down friend,
I restore antique furniture,I use denatured alcohol to strip shellac off furniture
It was a joke that apparently didn’t erect the lol’s I’d aimed for.
@@andrewgarratt5191 Sarcasm & irony are difficult to differentiate w simple texts from belief systems w/o body language. You know your intent but unless you are addressing someone familiar w yr mindset it’s all whoosh.
Suggest adding (sarcasm) tag, or whatever variation, to help true believers to distinguish.
Communication skills are increasingly essential as everything becomes virtual.
@@literatious308 Thank you, I never actually thought someone would try this…
But I was not thinking about how a lot of folks might simply not know any better.
I’ll fix it.
Thanks again.
@@andrewgarratt5191 Thanks!