The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was playing a Lena Horne 78 with a modern stylus at 3 g. The needle got gummed up with black oily gunk from the grooves. What is it?

I don't yet have a stylus brush so have just been blowing dust off. But this pasty stuff I am struggling to remove with tweezers.

I am curious to know what is in those grooves. Thanks.

Impossible for us to say. Just clean the record and try again.

just maybe a photograph would be helpful ?

Clean with Soap and water. Do not use alcohol as that will soften the shellac.

Marc

I have heard of people spraying records with "ArmorAll" or "WD40" to make them look shiny.
Clean the stylus with a small brush dipped in Isopropyl Alcohol.

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions.