Joe Bussard on how to clean your 78s

Joe Bussard shows you how to clean your 78s.

[@phononut]

I've just been scrolling through the comments and I have to laugh. This man knew more about these records I dare say than anybody did or ever will. Saving these records were his life and there will NEVER be another like him. He was the King of 78's May he Rest in Peace.

[@DasaLetsPlay]

I don't care how bad this looks, if a man like Joe Bussard says that he cleans his records like this, then he's right.

[@s.w.canapp5982]

78's are far more robust than people think.

[@perceptionmanagement2116]

All records are. Modern collectors are just p*ssies.

[@22Chemicals]

I drop my 78s in some liquid nitrogen and freeze the solid. Then I take them out back and sandblast them (just about a millimeter or so). Next I throw them under a heat lamp. They're ready to play in a couple hours or so. Sound is better than new.

[@kyleebrock]

Rip Joe!

[@adamhunt4462]

78 records are tanks. I wouldn't do this to regular 33s. But he knows more than me so..

[@anthonyginther6883]

A SCRUB BRUSH ON A RECORD - I JUST CAN"T.....SCRATChING THE HELL OUT OF THEM. You know more wash a 78 record than you wash mushroom.

[@TheMindIlluminated]

People forget that 78s are NOT made of vinyl/PVC. That material wasn’t used until LP’s came along in the late 40s, not widely anyway. So if Joe says this is how he cleans 78s, then I fucking trust him. Dude was a legend, RIP.

[@RC-wm7cw]

What kind of soap is he using?

[@haroldfarthington7492]

dawn. only thing you should use on 78s.

[@dorontsur]

What movie is this from?

[@LCM2248]

It is a "Out-take" from the Desperate Man Blues Documentary

[@jw2877]

I believe some guys are using portable ultra sonic holding tanks you can get for under 200 bucks.

[@didiermaas5240]

Don't you get lime deposition when you use water ?

[@thebruckler3707]

Using well water or tap water would contain minerals, but if you have a water softener in your house, that takes a lot of the minerals (specifically lime) out of the water

[@Sleevemonger]

Joe, it doesn't hurt the record? This is frightening. I use a sponge!

[@kurtjakins6396]

he's using a horse hair brush it's much less abrasive then you'd think. that metal rack without any rubber on it on the other hand is just dinging in the grooves

[@luziasouza9275]

It's a 78 rpm... Not a vinyl..

[@TF2SlyGuySaysHi]

@@kurtjakins6396 not at all

[@kyleebrock]

American made quality.

[@expertsenior6262]

I prefer the sandpaper and chisel method myself...

[@luziasouza9275]

To 78 rpm?????

[@Angelina-bi1ld]

HOLD ON,...LET ME GET MY STEEL WOOL!.

[@markkotishion2379]

I knew Joe since the 1970's he's right, he usually was. I use a toothbrush for the same method. God, I miss that guy!

[@ayyywerelisteninghere1022]

I take it shellac is a lot more robust than vinyl.

[@liammcooper]

the opposite, shellac'll shatter

[@CommandGrabEnthusiast]

@@liammcooper but it's grooves and surface are much more durable than vinyl when it comes to scratches and such.

[@phredl]

Should dry the label before putting them in the rack.

[@hmrowland6114]

Guess Joe never heard of label clamps.

[@enricomuzunna7490]

Certo che a 'sto tizio americano manca un po' la delicatezza per pulire i 78 giri?

[@JoeWoodStL1]

Water and soap will destroy the labels, and especially red and blue labels. And you better fucking listen or you’ll be hop dip in shit nuts.

[@malcolmwatts2487]

F..k, I wouldn't dare to that, I clean by using a soft cloth with a dab of isopropanal alcohol diluted to about 1 part to 50 parts water, then use another cloth to wipe clean. Works well with me but don't use the I.A neat cause that will bleach a lot of the 78s white.

[@luziasouza9275]

To a 78 rpm???? The Shellac material is totally different of a vinyl!!!! They looks like ceramic!!!

[@garymattscheck9066]

I use Bounty paper towels and if they're really dirty a mild dish soap like Ivory in lukewarm water.

[@yurodivy1]

Alcohol always damages shellac. Diluted alcohol just damages it slower.

[@DavidWood-rc6gj]

He's cleaning wide groove shellac 78rpm records, on which you can use much more aggressive methods. Your suggestion of using alcohol and a soft cloth is acceptable for vinyl LP records, but should never be used on shellac 78s, as alcohol dissolves shellac.

[@JoeWoodStL1]

That old buzzard killed my pet iguana!!! He ate the eyes!!! Who in the hell does that???