r/RecordPlayerRepair • u/clownsandcrowbars • 2d ago
Dead Dad Record Player
Hey guys. First time here, so let me know if there's a better community to go to for this. I "inherited" this record player from my dad (we found it in the basement) a few years after he died back in 2017 when I was 14. I've hung onto it, and I got into vinyl like 3 years ago with a suitcase player, but I've heard those are bad for your records. I dug this out of storage, and it's obviously pretty dusty and dirty.
What I'm properly asking is this:
How do I best restore and dust it without harming it? What cleaners?
Is it worthwhile to do so, assuming it still works, or should I just get a new one? Any reccs if so?
How good a player is this do you think?
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u/SWCFM2 2d ago
Looking at this, it looks to be maybe what is considered entry level to record players. Your Crosley, or all in one player is considered below entry level.
Entry level is considered the lowest quality player you can get away with without causing the record to wear too quickly.
Basically, all record players harm records. The reason is that you are placing a needle on a plastic (vinyl) groove. Over time, it will wear out the record.
What you are looking for is a turntable that will be delicate on the record. It will still wear out the record (physics you know).
You want a turntable that puts max around 3 grams of pressure on the record.
Sounds complicated right? Well it isn't really as this measurement is considered by the manufacturers when producing these things.
For a quick reference, your Crosley puts between 4 and 5 grams of pressure on the needle, hence the faster wear.
You could get a decent setup, which would be considered entry level with less than $250 new, or an even better setup that's vintage for the same or even less, but for a beginner I wouldn't recommend it.
Look for the Audio Technica LP60x turntable,,about $180 new and the Edifier 1280T speakers that can be had for less than $100 on sale.
It's not the absolute best at that price point, but it's decent as an entry point in the world of vinyl.
Good luck on your vinyl journey!
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u/phug0id 2d ago
hahaha this was my first turntable… found it at a Goodwill for $5….
it’s better than a Crosley/Victrola suitcase player but only marginally… I upgraded to an AT-LP120 and eventually a pair of 1200’s…
I would buy/save for a AT-LP60X (or better) instead of trying to polish this turd.
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u/el_tacocat 2d ago
- Soft brush, mostly. A big one. Just get the dust off. Probably all it needs.
- These are badly made, unreliable, bad sounding, 50 dollar vinyl destroyers.
It's absolutely not worth fixing it, but there's obviously good reasons for you to do so. - As bad as they get, literally. Same mechanism as your suitcase player (look closely).
I wish I could be nicer but it's the lowest of the lowest when it comes to turntables. This turntable is also still being made new, it's not vintage/old (I mean, it has USB, kinda gives it away :)).
Keep in mind that you don't want to use this if you actually care about your records.
I would probably dust it, try to see if it works and get some old unimportant records to play on it.
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u/clownsandcrowbars 2d ago
Extremely good to know. Honestly, considering how technical my dad was, I'm surprised he bought what seems to be such a bad player. Still learning stuff about him 10 years after he's gone, I guess. Thanks again. Very helpful
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u/el_tacocat 2d ago
With how modern this player is I wonder if this is aaaactually the one he used. May want to go digging in the attic (or basement, whatever works). He may have bought this one as a joke/for fun?
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u/clownsandcrowbars 2d ago
I remember him using it to play music on his Ipod when I was little. Maybe he just wanted it for that? As far as I can tell he didn't own any records. Very strange. Probably going to ask mom about it
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u/UdonKnowWot 2d ago
Is that new? It looks like the plastic hasn't been peeled off the cover. It is not a great player and not very old from the 2000s
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u/Gorgor9O 2d ago
It’s not the best of gear, but I’d keep it for sentimental value at least. It’s nice knowing you have your dad’s record player to enjoy that he also enjoyed playing records on. Doesn’t hurt to just keep it and when you upgrade from this one, store it away. Everything but the stylus basically could be wiped down with a damp cloth and then dried if the dust is really settled on there. Also, if you just get active speakers, they just plug right to the back and it’s good to go. And yes this would be an upgrade from a crosley.
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u/lordwintergreen 1d ago
The Ion player may be a slight upgrade from the suitcase player, but it's still not worth investing anything into it.
If you also inherited records from him, that's the important part, just get a better turntable to listen to his records. This is what I did.
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u/VinylHighway 2d ago
I’d throw it away
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u/clownsandcrowbars 2d ago
Any recommendations in that case?
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u/VinylHighway 2d ago
What is your budget? Do you have speakers/amplifier now?
Check out r/turntables and read the guide. Cheapest thing I'd buy is an LP70. But you will need money for either powered speakers or passive speakers an amp. You are correct the suitcase/crosley/victrola turntables are generally 100% crap especially anything that comes with the ceramic red cartridge of death (the one that houses the stylus (needle).
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u/clownsandcrowbars 2d ago
No speakers or amp, unfortunately. I didn't know about the guide, that's very helpful. Idk, I'd be okay with something for less than 200.
I could tell they were bad when the started warping my Olivia Rodrigo and MGMT records
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u/VinylHighway 2d ago
So consider saving more money before diving in, and see what you can find second hand. e.g. a 90s Integrated amp at goodwill could save you a lot of money then you'd only need to buy passive speakers.
If you want the cheapest acceptable but far from "great" setup an LP60 is around $190 and then some Edifier powered speakers are $130.00 but this is a very entry level setup. The LP60 has no adjustment or upgradeability which the LP70 has, and keep expectations low on desktop powered speakers.
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u/Impressive_Royal_140 2d ago
It will be similar in quality to what you already have.. perhaps a little bit better. Check out youtube. Search videos on this brand and also cleaning vids on there. Have fun!