Gruve Glide

Is it OK to use this product without vacuum cleaning? Music Direct suggets vacuuming first then Gruv-Glide. I do not have a vacuum machine, any other ideas?

Colitas,

I haven't tried Gruv-Glide, but I think you may be approaching things in the wrong order. Vacuum cleaning will do far more for your records than spraying Gruv-Glide, or anything else, on top of the dirt. There is no safe way to play dirty vinyl, and there is no way to clean vinyl effectively without vacuuming.

There's really no reason not to vacuum. If you don't have a RCM try this:
- pick up a 1HP Shop Vac (I got one at Walmart for $25)
- put some self-stick felt on the nozzle
- use your GroovMaster to hold/spin the LP while vacuuming

You do have a GroovMaster, right? :)

If/when you spring for a RCM, you'll still have a perfectly servicable shop vac.

GroovMaster? Huh? Please elaborate. I must confess the most extensive cleaning I have done is using the Discwasher brush with some anti-static cleaner, rotating the platter(when off) and applying pressure. I would slowly roll the brush up lifting the dirt off the record. this was effective with paper debris, but not deep into the groove. I am sure this will solidify my newbie status and might even result in expulsion from the hallowed halls of audiophilia. I tried the Orbitrac but was not that impressed. I guess my question of next upgrade has been answered! Vacuum it is

Even though the stated purpose of Gruve-Glide is to reduce static, I've always thought that it acted as a lubricant on the grooves. I get better imaging, and a more 'liquid' sound.

I use it sparingly on an LP-12 with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MkII cartridge. When I bring an LP over to one friends house, who has a VPI TNT with a Van den Hul cartridge/needle, he gets a collection of 'stuff' on his needle (residue?) It seems the more the needle conforms to the shape of the groove, the less Gruve-Glide you need.

Colitas, YOU ARE HEREBY BANISHED... at least until you wash all your precious vinyl.

A GroovMaster (sic) is a doohickey you can buy from a guy on Ebay. It consists of two discs, each with an embedded O-ring slightly larger than a record label. Make a sandwhich with an LP between the two discs and clamp everything together with the threaded bolt that goes through the center hole (supplied with the GM).

Voila! Your label now has a waterproof seal and the knobs you tighten the bolt with serve as handles so you never touch the vinyl. Very useful for hand washing and vacuuming. Useless if you have a RCM.

You can either bid on ebay for it or just email the seller. Last time I heard he'd sell one direct for $40 + s/h.