Playing a warped record can be bad for your turntable, stylus, and the record itself. The stylus is the needle that reads the grooves in the record, and a warped record can cause the stylus to skip or wobble, which can damage the stylus and the record.
The severity of the damage will depend on the severity of the warp. A slight warp may not cause any damage, but a severe warp can damage the stylus beyond repair and even cause the record to skip.
Here are some of the ways that a warped record can damage your turntable, stylus, and record:
- The stylus can skip, which can cause the stylus to hit the edge of the record groove. This can damage the stylus tip and even cause the record to skip.
- The stylus can wobble, which can cause the stylus to wear out prematurely.
- The record can warp even more, making it even more difficult to play.
- The record can get scratched or damaged, which can affect the sound quality.
If you have a warped record, it is best to avoid playing it. If you must play it, you can try to minimize the damage by:
- Playing the record on a turntable with a good anti-skate mechanism.
- Playing the record at a lower volume.
- Avoiding playing the record in the outer grooves, which are more susceptible to damage.
If you notice that your stylus is damaged, it is important to replace it as soon as possible. A damaged stylus can damage your records and distort the sound.
Here are some tips for preventing your records from warping:
- Store your records in a cool, dry place.
- Avoid exposing your records to extreme temperatures or humidity.
- Do not stack your records on top of each other.
- Use a record weight to keep your records flat.
