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How long to wear a record out?

I dont know if I made the thread title proper or not, but I am wondering if any of you have a sealed copy and a "play" copy of an album that you bought at the same time from the same shelf. (Meaning these would have likely come off the mold one right after the other.)
The sealed copy was opened up to make a recording after the "play" copy, having been played 1XX times, was thought to be a bit beat up for a recording. When the sealed copy began to play, it was very noticeably better than the "play" copy.

How many plays did it take to wear the thing out?

Recently, a new cartridge with double the force of my old one made me think of this. Shadowfax "shadowdance" is pushing 30 years old and has been played at least 200 times over the years.

Do you have any vinyl pies you just wore out? How long did it take?
gumbydammit
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I would 'guess' playing a clean copy with reasonable equipment could be played several thousand times.
It does take only one play to destroy a record with a chipped diamond, or a severly worn one.
The real problem with used LPs is the possibility of some idiot as the prior owner, using a dull chisel 15 gram worn out stylus on a 1950's console... (I have watched folks with portable players looking for 'sampling' at record shows... the junk they use totally ruins the record they are listening to!! you can see right where they started and stopped playing!!)
sinisterporpoise68
63 posts
 
I operate under the assumption that I'll grow tired of listening to a certain record *long* before I wear it out.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
How does one define "wear out"? With every play, record/arm drop, etc., comes another pop, click, etc. When these noises become too much for the owner, the record is done. Too light tracking/ bent stylus, will damage it. I, myself have never thrown out a record...no - I just remembered - I got mad at myself for dropping a brand new Mobil Fidelity something and threw it out in a fit of pique.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
A record played with a correctly aligned tonearm and good stylus should outlive you.

I have hundreds, perhaps over a thousand records, from the 60's alone with well over 2000 (some many more) playings that sound pristine today. No clicks, no pops, no noise.

Keep your vinyl clean and your equipment aligned.
saygrr
72 posts
 
AudioFeil is right on. I have been in this hobby for 27 years and all but several of my LPs are fine. Keep the LPs clean and tone arm and cartridge properly aligned including tracking force. The several LPs that I do not consider fine I cannot explain what happened. It was not from playing them. The first thing I do after buying an LP is clean it. I have a Nitty Gritty. I use First then wash it then rince then treat it with Last.
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