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Are scratch LPs part of the game ?

Hi guys,

I noticed that some of my new LPs after a few weeks of playing gets some fine and medium scratches.
I'm very careful when removing them in and out of their plastic/paper sleeves.
despite of them i can see some scratches on the LP surface.
Is there a technique in handling these so that there will be no scratches at all ?
Although the scratches are not deep enough for the needle to jump or skip. It just irritating.
Is this part of the game or is there proper method of handling them ?
I also feel sometimes on brand new sealed LPs that when you remove an LP back from the sleeve that there is some sort of friction between the LP and sleeve-possibly some scratches happening. Again, is this something that can be done to minimize the scratches or this is part of law of physics (Friction) ?
Hoping some enlightenment.

Cheers-Noli
nolitan
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The best way to inspect a LP is in sunlight. The flaws, dirt, scratches and various marks become visible.
It can be scary to look upon some of them in the naked truth of sunlight.
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
Elizabeth is absolutely correct. That's why there's more florescent lighting in record stores than, even, incandescent. Often, when I get home and get a good look at what I bought...well, it's only money.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
How clean do you keep your house? Your car? Are they always spotless? Do you make certain to remove lint from your suit before leaving the house? Shoes polished and immaculate?

If you answered yes to these questions, then LP scratches will not be part of the game provided you purchased the LP new.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
If they are not part of the game then why worry about them or take any preventive measures?

They can be avoided but accidents happen and they are definitely part of the game ie they can happen if not careful and sometimes even if you are and often are the case with used lps.
has2be's avatar
has2be
422 posts
 
Sunlight does show up flaws and dirt extremely well, hence the saying "in the light of day". However, a cheap floor lamp with a 100 to 150 watt Phillips Natural Light bulb does just as good a job and isn,t restricted to the day shift. I don,t beleive stores use florescent lights for any other reason than they are cheaper to run and use. Cheers!
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