How to Stop a Vinyl Record From Wobbling
The collection and use of vinyl records have become more and more popular. In fact, one might say that it is a Thriving Vinyl Record Community that we have today. But as with anything, yes even new tech, there are issues that crop up. Like when a record wobbles. It can be alarming when this happens, as some records are quite pricey and you do not want to damage them.
But, what can you do to stop your vinyl record from wobbling? Well, there are a few things that you can do to stop this issue from occurring and that is what we are going to cover in this article. So, without further ado, let us dive right in and get started!
Why Do Records Sometimes Wobble?
Before we can actually tell you how to stop a record from wobbling, we thought that it might be a good idea to talk about why this happens. First, you need to know that turntables on record players are not meant to wobble at all.
But most of them will swing to some extent. So, if your record only wobbles a little and does not make the record jump, there should not be an issue. It is when the record jumps that there is an issue which you need to stop from happening.
Generally, record players that have a visible wobble are bad quality and ones that have no detectable wobble are good quality. There are far too many people that do not know the reason that records will wobble.
For the most part, this happens when a record player has been badly constructed or the spindle has become warped. These are just two of many reasons that a turntable might be wobbling. But they are among the most common reasons so make sure to consider them first.
What Can You Stop a Vinyl Record From Wobbling?
Now that you know a little about why a vinyl record might be wobbling, let’s take a look at what you can do about it.
Below is a step-by-step guide on what you can do to stop a record from wobbling:
- First thing first, you are going to need to disconnect the spindle front eh platter.
- Make sure that there is no dust or debris stuck between the turntable and on the platter mount. If there is debris or dust on your turntable or platter it can cause your record to jump or wobble. So, make sure that it is clean.
- You could also use a level on the turntable and the platter mount to make sure that everything is even. One reason that your vinyl record may be wobbling is that the device itself is not level.
- To avoid your turntable being uneven you should ensure that the acrylic platter is tight against the bushing. If you find that the platter is lost make sure to tighten it using a ⅞ inch socket. This should reduce the wobble of your vinyl record.
- If your vinyl record still wobbled despite being on a flat surface it might mean that something has become warped. This is not a common issue so make sure to exhaust all avenues before you consider that something has warped.
- To check if your vinyl record is warped you can perform a simple test. You will need to test if it is your record that is the issue. This does not happen often so make sure that you have checked all the other options we have mentioned.
It is not always easy to discern what the issues are when a record is wobbling. But by doing these little tests you may find why you are experiencing this issue.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about how to stop the wobble of your vinyl record. As we have discussed, the main reasons that your vinyl record could be wobbling are as follows:
- Debris or Dust Between the Turntable and Platter Mount
- The Turntable is Not On a Level Surface
- The Record Was Warped
- Poor Quality Record Player
Generally, the reason that a vinyl record wobbles will fall into one of these four categories. So make sure to follow the step-by-step guide to find out why your vinyl record is wobbling.
With all of that said, we wish you luck with your vinyl record and stopping it from wobbling. It should be easy to figure out. So make sure to do a few tests.
Have a fantastic day and goodbye for now!
