Diminishing of the lower frequencies after washing the LP

[magiccarpetride]

A bizarre thing happened to me yesterday: I purchased a used LP by Eberhard Weber ("Little Movements") and after playing it fell in love with the marvellous sound of the record. One of the best sounding ECM issues I've heard so far. But the amazing sound was marred by a lot of pops and clicks etc. The record was obviously very dirty (it didn't even come with the inner sleeve!)

So I went down to my basement to give it a thorough wash and vacuum. Once the record got squeaky clean, went back to my listening room to enjoy it. But much to my shock, I realized that somehow the previously magnificent Weber's bass, that was so muscular and greasy, with unbelievable slam, is now all but gone! (I mean the bass notes are still there, but the tough muscular presentation has been audibly diminished)

How could that be? Is it possible that washing and vacuuming a record could remove some of the amplitude of the lower frequencies? This never happened to me before. Any explanation or similar experiences?

[alphaGT]

Perhaps it only looks clean, but some of the dirt has gotten washed into the very bottom of the groove? Preventing the needle from setting as deeply as before? So, the tops of the grooves look clean and shiny, but sludge has settled in the bottom?

I've got some Super clean, and also some Enzyme Wash, I'd use one or both, and let it set for 5 minutes, just let it spin using the brush to keep it spread out, and wash it a few more times, see if it gets better or worse? At this point you've got nothing to loose. I don't think you can wash grooves off the record?

[struth]

You may have just moved dirt deeper in the groove might need a couple

[magiccarpetride]

You may have just moved dirt deeper in the groove might need a couple

I think you're right -- an LP that's been tossed around without the inner sleeve protection probably has more dirt on it than is to be expected. I'll give it another deep bath with massage, exotic rubbing oils and scented candles. What background music do you recommend while I'm treating that record?

[HackneyRF]

What background music do you recommend while I'm treating that record?

Madonna - 'Get Into The Groove'. ;)

[Macca]

Patsy Cline 'Crazy'

[struth]

Joe Dolce;)

[JohnJo]

Maybe there's a lot more mid and high frequency info coming through now which makes the presentation sound lighter in the bass.

I know turning down the treble energy and using the roll off control in my speakers makes the whole thing sound bassier (is that a word?) even though the amount of bass hasn't been altered and vice versa.

[JohnJo]

I think you're right -- an LP that's been tossed around without the inner sleeve protection probably has more dirt on it than is to be expected. I'll give it another deep bath with massage, exotic rubbing oils and scented candles. What background music do you recommend while I'm treating that record?

Status Quo "Down, down, deeper and down"

[magiccarpetride]

Status Quo "Down, down, deeper and down"

That's what she said.

[sq225917]

I'd warrant its not the record that's changed. I've never heard a wash alter tonal balance.

[magiccarpetride]

I'd warrant its not the record that's changed. I've never heard a wash alter tonal balance.

Me neither. That's why I'm baffled.

[Jac Hawk]

Here's a record cleaning instructional video i found, note the brush he uses to get DEEP into the grooves :lol::lol:


https://youtu.be/SH_tr5Dd-i0

[magiccarpetride]

Here's a record cleaning instructional video i found, note the brush he uses to get DEEP into the grooves :lol::lol:


https://youtu.be/SH_tr5Dd-i0

Child labour. Not a bad idea for record cleaning...