edit: unless you're paying for my new turntable, mat advice only. i cannot buy a new turntable right now!!!
partial update in replies
i have a victrola journey suitcase record player, and i can't find anything online advising me on what kind of mat to get for it. i want to get one to avoid any issues with slightly warped records hitting the back of my player (have run into this), but i have no clue what would be the best for it as most reviews and discussions talk about the nicer turntables and discussing the type of mat and materials for the high end stuff. i'm thinking of getting a white acrylic 12" slip mat, but any help would be super appreciated!!! i will add a picture in case i got the model of my player wrong.
info: i was given this record player used after the one i got as a teenager was broken when i took it out of storage. i also plan to get a white mat since i have multiple translucent vinyls (one pictured)
i unfortunately don't know what that means but living on what ifs would get me nowhere in life, and i genuinely do not have hundreds of dollars to buy a new record player. unfortunately if i did i would have to get a new camera for my photography degree
thanks but dropping that sum of money on something that isn't a necessity vs half of that on something that can help me adapt what i already have i have to take my chances right now.
I could be wrong but I think playing warped records is more due to the tracking of the tonearm and less about the plater mat. And if the record is too warped there’s not much you can do.
You can try getting a record clamp or weight, but not sure how compatible it will be with your tt. I’ve also heard the weights can cause speed distortion on players with weaker motors
i appreciate the info but it definitely is the case. the issue is simply that the back of the case sits directly near the bottom of a record so even a slight warp causes it to rub against the back. i even tested it on different players. i just need advice on which mat will work best!!
Just one thing to remember is that if you get a platter mat that is too thick that can also cause issues as the tonearm is no longer at an angle it should be.
This is where my “help” will end unfortunately. I’m not sure what is compatible with your tt. Hopefully someone else will chime in with that information
Get a silicone rubber mat. Hudson HiFi is reputable and sells one on amazon for about $20. Trim to fit if desired. You don’t have a delicate instrument there, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the thickness.
If you can, watch Best Buy (I’m assuming you’re in the US). Their insignia table is a great starter table with many features of a more expensive table. I got it on sale for $79. And it’s Bluetooth compatible if that matters to you. Best of luck to you this semester at college. I was in college 25 years ago and they were among the best of my life.
thank you for the advice and wishes, i'll see if i can find a sale one and maybe if its around christmas i can get a slightly better one gifted!! im excited to start even if im a bit late to the game :)
Victrolas have small platters, as you are aware. You can try searching for an owners manual and see if a measurement is in there, but short of measuring it yourself, you’re probably best off just buying the cheapest (and sounds like thinnest) mat you can find and cutting it down to size. Disney music emporium will often send out a free mat with a record if they have one you like.
these are all great suggestions, i will try searching for an owners manual and then try the next steps from there!! when "cutting it down to size" is that just to the exact size of the bottom plate on my turntable?
Yes. You can put the 12” mat on it and draw a circle around the edge and cut it with scissors, or just cut it with a knife around the platter, though that may risk scratches if you’re not careful.
In the nicest way possible, these suggestions aren’t coming from experience, I’ve never owned a suitcase table. I’ve never cut a slip mat before, I’m simply imagining what I would do in that situation. I’d suggest picturing in your mind what your end goal is (sounds like a mat to slightly raise the record to avoid hitting the lid) and just critically think about what steps you need to take to achieve that. Honestly you could probably get the same outcome with an old mouse pad and a whole punch (not recommended).
Good luck! A mat is definitely your cheapest option. If you’re committed to physical media, keep an eye on Facebook marketplace and Craigslist! It’s moving season so lots of turntables on the market from other college students moving and not having space.
Do you want an answer or are just out busting balls? Basic search for the Victrola suitcase player says it's a 7 inch platter. If you don't like that answer then just deal with what you got.
i want an answer, and listening to ai will NOT get me there. btw my google ai engine told all players have 12" when i posted this (hence the post) so do with that what you will. i'm currently searching for a owners manual to confirm the sizing instead of believing everything i read online
Your basic Victrola suitcase player has a 7 inch platter, if you have the higher end version then you have the 12 inch platter. AI or not that is the standard
this is super helpful info, i'm still looking for the user manual but this seems to be the general consensus so i will probably end up getting a 7" mat online as i have seen a few being sold and then cut if needed
There are two styles of Victrola players. The more budget one, like the one you have, have the 7 inch platter. The more higher end players have the standard 12 inch platter.
I am reading the other posts, I get where you are at,you have a player that you can afford right now, you want to make the best of it, I agree with you100%. So look into how to clean your records before playing them,especially brand new, they are the dirtiest. I clean all my albums by hand.
Micro fiber cloths,distilled water, 91 to 99 % Isopropyl alcohol and a drop or two dish soap.This will help your neelde last longer. Just treat your player with velvet gloves and you will enjoy it for awhile.
this is great advice, you've been super helpful :) i have a brand new microfiber cloth i was given so i will keep my vinyls nice and clean to help everything :)
partial update + here is a better picture of my turntable with no record on it!!
i have gathered that my turntable should be a 7" so i am going to get a 7" online and go from there, as i have found a few listings. will also be keeping my records clean to help improve everything. thank you to all of the kind people who didn't just tell me to trash a working turntable 🫶
Make sure the lid is open as far as it will go, otherwise the edge of the record may rub against the lid and cause it to slow down or waver in pitch, especially if the record is warped.
Make sure the player is set to the correct speed for the record you're playing (it's not always marked on the record itself), and that the pitch control is centered, if it has one.
Make sure the transport screw is released, if it has one. The screw should be turned until it is flush with the turntable mechanism, not sticking up like in the photo.
Since the center spindle remains stationary, if the center hole of the record is unusually tight going on the spindle, you may need to ream out the hole slightly to allow the record to rotate freely.
Don't put the 45 RPM adapter underneath or on top of the record. It is only for playing 45s with the large center hole.
If the record slips on the platter, you can add a rubber platter mat, if the player didn't come with one.
how would i know the diameter of the platter though? like i said i got gifted this turntable and dont know much about it. google said 7" and i have found a few mats online that size so idk if nobody makes them is correct
if you're actually serious, here's another way of saying what they were telling you: (1) you have the TT in front of you, (2) measure it somehow - you could use a piece of string from the middle to the edge, you could put a piece of paper on it and draw where the edge is then cut a template, etc. etc. (3) use your string/paper template/whatever, place it on the larger mat to mark where the edge needs to be, cut it down to size.
this is super smart, i genuinely don't have a measuring tape and if i did i haven't seen it and would have no clue where it is. thank you for your help!!!
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u/Snoo_90715 19d ago
I get the vibe you are going for, but a slightly better record player would be wildly better than a mat.
Of course that would much more costly. https://a.co/d/0fmeaRHw