I’ve been expanding my vinyl collection over the last few months and have noticed some strange pattern. Whenever I buy an album that’s issued on a 180 gram vinyl, it will end up warping about two weeks later. The warp is always on the outer edge and travels inward about an inch. I always keep my records standing upright and all of the other records are fine. They say the 180 grams are supposed to be more resistant to warping, but apparently that’s not the case. They’re still playable, but I can always hear that constant thump which can really kill the mood at times. Does anyone know why this is happening?
Is your storage area near any heat source (vents, close to a computer unit, direct sun, etc.)? Or is there any great fluctuations of temperature? Humidity?
My records are safe from any sources of heat or humidity. At first I was thinking it was the room itself because it isn’t as well insulated as the rest of the house (it was a garage several years ago and remodeled into a second living room so the insulation isn’t as thick) but it doesnt’ really get hot in there. It’s usually temperate in there until the winter, but I have an extra heater in there to maintain the temperature.
I did a little bit of research and found out from other collectors that 180 gram vinyls are more likely to warp. Especially along the edges like mine. That would explain why my other records are working fine. I was more worried about my Fripp and ELP albums because the CD mixes of some of those albums are horrible; and I finally snagged a copy of Fripp’s Exposure, which is almost as valuable as gold where I live. Luckilly, those ones are 120g.
Seems like 180 gram vinyls are all hype. The thickness of the plastic would lead you to believe that they’re more durable, but they’re not. Luckily I only bought a few of them and they weren’t really expensive. I learned my lesson on that one.
That is a complete mystery? All of my 180 gramers have never had probs like that.
Maybe the mass of the record on the weight-bearing edge when you stand them upright is causing the slight warp. I haven’t noticed this with my own collection, though.
Never had this problem.
And I have LOTS of records!!