Getting started with vinyl is a heady and exciting thing. Every new 12” you buy is an absolute thrill, and that never really goes away; there’s the immediate joy of having a physical thing that represents your love for a band or genre, then there’s the slow-burn warmth of watching your wider collection grow with your tastes.
The annual spectacular that is Record Store Day only fuels this flame, whether it’s rare represses or exclusive new stuff. But, as with all collections, your records need maintenance. And, as with all household trinkets, tchotchkes and artefacts, your record player needs occasional attention. Without this, dust and dirt can make a great thing sound clicky, scratchy and weird – or even damage your hard-won collection.
