"How to Play Your Acetate" dubplate instruction card

[Steve E.]

It might be nice to compose, by volunteer committee, a fair-use/free-use set of instructions for playing an acetate dub plate, which can then be adapted by individual users. The idea being, someone who has just bought an acetate dubplate --someone who is expecting vinyl-- may not understand that they are dealing with a fragile, quirky item.

I'll start:

You are the proud owner of a high-fidelity, individually cut acetate record--not a vinyl record. With care, it will give you years of listening pleasure.

However, it is fragile, and should not be treated like a factory-pressed vinyl record. Please follow these directions to maximize the lifetime of your unique and shiny lathe-cut disc:

* Take care not to put your fingers on the grooves of the record. Finger oils will damage it.
* Record can be cleaned, if necessary, with standard water-based record cleaners. Do not use alcohol or organic solvents.
* Do not attempt to flex your record, as it will bend permanently.
* Use a well-adjusted tonearm, with an unchipped stylus, and an appropriately light tracking force.
* Back-cueing, DJ-style, will put additional wear on your record.
* Upon completion of play, stop turntable, and return your record swiftly to its protective poly sleeve.
* Do not drop record or bang its edge, as this can chip the surface.
* Record is flammable. Avoid lighting it on fire. Sparks and open flames should stay over there, far away.
* Store at room temperature, or in your fridge.
* Do not taunt lathe-cut acetate record.

OK, maybe not the last 1.5 points, but this is the idea. Any more? better wordings?

Is it possible to clean an acetate, and if so, what are the do's and dont's?

[list is being reedited as suggestions come in....]

[Steve E.]

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/happy-fun-ball/n10032/

[opcode66]

I include a printed copy of this with every lacquer dub order.

Lacquer Refence Dub FAQ

What is a Lacquer and is it the same as an Acetate?

Acetate is simply another name for a Lacquer. Lacquers come in two grades: Reference and Master. Reference Dubs (a.k.a. Dub Plates or Dubs) are used to check a cut prior to plating and pressing. They are also used as one-off records by DJ's, Producers and bands. They are an excellent tool and also make fantastic promotional items and gifts. Master Lacquers are of a higher quality and are used only for plating and pressing. Master Lacquers are never played after they are cut. Thus the need for Reference Dubs in the vinyl mastering process.


What is the difference between a lacquer and a vinyl record?

A lacquer looks very similar to a pressed record. But, they are heavier than pressed records and do not bend like vinyl does. They also have a distinct smell which is the lacquer coating itself. They can be chipped if dropped on their edge very hard. Otherwise, they have the appearance of pressed vinyl. A dub will come to you with center label stickers that you can write the name of your tracks on. Or, you can have us create printed labels for you with your own custom design. Dubs are not guaranteed to be perfect and may have some imperfections especially along the outer edge.


Do I need to treat a lacquer differently than vinyl?

Yes. You don't want to bend them or drop them on their edges. Excessive mistreatment can chip away the celluloid coating and should be avoided. Also, you do not want to put any dissolving solutions like acetone on the lacquer as it will dissolve and remove the surface.

Lacquers are very flammable! Do not under any circumstances expose a lacquer to open flame or sparks. It will combust!

A lacquer can give you up to 300 clear plays when treated correctly. Using needles made for scratching will wear the grooves in more quickly. Adding weight to your tonearm will also wear in the grooves more quickly.
How many plays can I get from a lacquer?
300 if treated gently. Fewer the more your abuse it. Do not use scratching styli for playback. Do not weigh down your tonearm. In fact, when playing a dub, it is suggested to adjust the counterweight on your tonearm to make it as light as possible.


Will backtracking/scratching/cueing a lacquer wear it in?

Yes, you will start to hear static or background noise the more you backtrack. Lacquers are not made to be scratched. DJ's will notice the first beat of the record will start to sound bad after queuing it a number of times. This is normal. The rest of the side will sound fine.


Should I stop the record immediately at the end of playing a side?

Yes. Otherwise you will wear out the locked groove at the end of the disc. It will sound scratchy the more times it loops at the end. So, lift your tonearm or stop your platter from spinning once the end of a side is reached.

[Greg Reierson]

Nicely done.

A lacquer can give you up to 300 clear plays when treated correctly.

Did you arrive at that number by experimentation? I thought the number of good plays would be much lower.

[opcode66]

It is the absolute outer limit with a proper needle and properly balanced tonearm and gentle treatment. I don't think many last that long though in the hands of your average enthusiast.

[Steve E.]

Nice. thank you, O66!

Is there any way to clean a dub if you DO get a fingerprint on it? Will water and soap harm them?

[opcode66]

Water won't really harm them. But, not really a good idea to get them wet. It's organic solvents that you really don't want to get on them. I have tried using groove glide on a dub before but that seemed to make it worse.