My parents have bought a fonograph/CD player/radio combo, and it works fine. I have also found out that we have LPs and 45 RPM records, which are in good condition. But I want to preserve them so they really last a long time. There's a lot of dust that ocassionally (not too often, though) collects on their surface, and that worries me; what if it affects the record's quality? If anyone has some helpful tips on cleaning them without damaging them, please tell me. Also, it would be nice to know a safe place that I can store my 45 RPM records; they don't have any protective sleeves or covers at the time.... Thanks for your help!
Thank you everyone who has given me advice on how to care for vinyl records and the sort. I have learned much about them now... thanks for telling me soon!
Everyone has been helpful in answering this question. There can't exactly be a best answer because there's different tips, all of which are helpful. I'll check out the record-cleaning supplies soon, AslanMusic. Thanks everyone!!

I'm not looking for any multi-thousand dollar turntables or DJ equipment...I just want to play all these old records that my parents have in boxes.

Are there still decent new ones you can buy?
Or should I look for a used one?

Please only answer if you are an audiophile or you actually know!
Answers telling me to 'go get an ipod' are not appreciated!

I have a vintage record player downstairs (well my parents do) and I wanted to learn how to scratch and dj and such using it. I know that whatever records I use will get damaged, I'm ok with that
But, will it damage the record player itself by doing this?
Oh ok, so could I temporarily (without extensive knowledge about record players) switch in a non damaging needle? Or would that take a lot of equipment to do?

approx. retired 4 years ago or more from san diego and the seal team 7...parents in northern california and wife and children in louisiana...a surfer and collector of antique radios..age approx 48 - 50

My parents bought this in 1974. It's pressed wood and the top layer of vinyl covering the pressed wood is peeling off. How can I restore this. I would really like to keep it. I can't bring myself to throw it out. I know the radio/record player can be fixed pretty easily.

I left my ex fiance August of 2008 for reasons of abuse. His father has an old house that is used for storage, which is where my ex and I had a lot of our furniture and other things stored. When I left, I did not have a truck to get my things, and he said my things weren't going anywhere and I could go by and get them at any time. Over the next couple of months I'd gotten all of the clothes and everything I could fit into my car. I would call him to let him kno I'd be there to get the rest as soon as I could find a truck and trailer to use, and he replied by saying it was fine, that he wasn't worried about it. At the end of April, I moved back to mom's and was going to finally get my things (almost 9 months later). All of a sudden, mom gets a phone call from the people who live across the road from where my things are stored. The woman said that my ex was loading all of my things on a trailer and taking them somewhere. By the time I got down there (an hr away) he had dumped most of my things at his uncle's saw mill to bury them. There was nothing I could do. My dressers were torn apart and busted, big shelves that were hand built by my father who had passed away almost 5 years ago when I was 16, my grandmother's antique vanity was chopped up and glass from the mirror was strown all over the place. Everything destroyed. He came back there and told me that my charcoal grill was at his friends house in henderson, and that the 4 ft tall stereo/record player and speakers that my parents bought when i was a baby was in storage in the next town with all of the records that go with it. Me and my mother waited and waited, and he said he couldn't get in touch with the guy to get it and said he'd take it to my mom's. I haven't heard from him since that day. I've called constantly, left messages, and I still don't have that 00 piece of equipment which is more sentimental value than anything, or my grill. Is there anything I can do? Its now been over a year since I left him, and 5 months since he destroyed everything and gave those things away. Oh, and he also took my washer and dryer off for scrap metal. Is there anything I can do? I worry about this night and day, I have got to do something!

Hi. I recently was given a second hand record player by a friend. I am ashamed to say that although i have listened to loads of vinyl records when i was a kid (my dad lost all his records and player during a move) i do not know anything about actually playing a record! i am 19 now. I have always loved the sound compared to cds and now i want to build up a vinyl collection from scratch. I still have one 7 inch record and another 12 inch one.My player Semi-automated turntable and has two speed knobes - 33and 45.and as far as i can see there is no needle on the edge of that handle thingy. its just a square like thing. Can someone explain what all this means very simply. I have spent hours online trying to read up on this but i have gotten even more confused with all the terms. what is EP and LP? what is 78 rpm, 45 rpm, 33⅓ rpm? what records should i buy? what player plays what kind of record? i can't ask my parents cause they are not around.Please please help me out. sorry if i sound stupid but this is a part of my childhood that i want back. thanks alot
My player is a semi-automated turntable Sherwood PD-701B
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Vintage/auction-225543631.htm
as for my budget..i don't really have one yet. as in I have to save to get what i want so preferably something reasonable and mid-priced.i cant tell you an exat price because i have no idea how much these things cause.as for music - I absolutely love the beatles, bob dylan and aerosmith.and some motown stuff- like smokey robinson. thanks alot for the help.

My parents gave me a 1920's-1930's bedroom set that belonged to my great grandparents. I have all the pieces, vanity...original seat, etc. The most amazing piece is the bed with a WORKING turbe radio in the headboard. Has anyone ever seen such a thing? I can't keep it in my house, but it seems to be such an oddity, I was thinking of hanging on to it. If it's valuable, I can't simply throw it in the shed. If it's more common than I realized, then I might just sell it off. Anyone seen one or know where I can find out more info? Thanks!
The radio does work. We replaced the tube in it.

I've bought a few vintage records then found out my parents threw away our record player. Besides, craigslist, ebay, or Urban Outfitters, where can I find a new or good condition old record player?