Record Sleeves: Inners & Outers

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by shotgunshane, Mar 2, 2022.

  1. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I just ordered two packs of the dual tuckable outer sleeves and one pack of the Disckeeper Ultimate. I was going to try the MA Sleeves as the price difference between the MA and the Disckeeper isn’t too bad, about $5 more for the MA, but the shipping is $11! The shipping for the Disckeeper is $5. Am I correct in assuming unless you live somewhere where humidity and moisture is a major problem it’s probably not worth the extra cost of the MA inner sleeves?
     
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Hard to say without any long term ownership. Living in humid Florida, I think either is fine, as I keep my house fairly dry. The MA sleeves are softer and feel more luxurious, if that makes sense. The Ultimate Audiophile sleeves are much more robust and have a much more rigid shape, while still being very smooth to the touch.
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I just got in my order of the Ultimate Audiophile Sleeves and I can absolutely say these are the nicest inner sleeves I’ve ever handled. Adding the rice paper on both sides adds a lot of stability and structural integrity. I have no doubt my records are well protected in these. And popping them open to get the record in and out is a snap. I’ll eventually replace all of my inner sleeves with these, they are that good.
     
  4. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @sfoclt I recently had a similar situation around the time of your post with the Ultimate Audiophile sleeves- they all had creases in them. I contacted Sleeve City and returned them for replacements. Took a long time, as they were out of them again by the time they received my return; but Sleeve City came through and I just received my replacements and they are crease free.
     
  5. Biodegraded

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    Here's something I hadn't come across before: PVC outer sleeves can damage records over time, thanks to heat-related leaching and gas-phase "plastic migration" from the outer through the cardboard to the record:


    (esp. from 7:05)

    Not sure of the time/temperature equation - but best make sure your new outer sleeves are PE or PP, not PVC, and obviously watch for this effect when buying used records.
     
  6. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Oh jeez, I have so many random outer jackets, I’m sure some are PVC. Fuuuuuu
     
  7. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    I sniffed a few of mine that I'm suspicious about, but didn't detect any gasoline/paint smell; but it might just be they haven't gotten hot enough yet...

    Things to check for in addition to the smell: PVC will be clearer than the cheaper PE or PP ones but will feel more brittle, and when aged it might be wrinkled like the ones he shows in the video.
     
  8. BearFacts

    BearFacts Acquaintance

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    Unless we are in a constant heat dome, seems unlikely that it would be an issue in Vancouver. Guy in the video mentioned "a couple of hot summers....."
     
  9. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    My Simply Vinyl Metallica Black album came in PVC. I think they do it with all their 180 gram releases.
     
  10. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    As was my 2021 record store day Ozzy picture disc of No More Tears and a much older picture disc of Judas Priest Screaming for Vengeance. I wonder if many/most picture discs come in PVC, since it’s much more rigid and they tend not to come with regular album jackets? Anyway, they have now been rescued.
     
  11. lehmanhill

    lehmanhill Almost "Made"

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    Does anyone have a recipe for rescuing a good but old inner sleeve? Or do you just use a new one?

    I have a couple of old Windham Hill records and they used a very nice, polypropylene I think, inner sleeve. Those sleeves are in good condition, but after 40 years there is dust inside that gets on the record every time. I've tried just rinsing it out, but it doesn't seem to help. Thoughts?
     
  12. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Never heard of rescuing one. I always just replace.
     
  13. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Same, although I do keep any sleeves that came with the original album, inside the jacket. For historical accuracy, I guess.
     
  14. lehmanhill

    lehmanhill Almost "Made"

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    With the double pocket outer sleeves, that seems like a really good option. Somehow, it feels wrong to throw away a nicely made sleeve just because it's old.
     
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 1
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  15. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Even with single others, I always put the sleeve that holds the record on the outside of the jacket, so both the jacket and inner sleeve are in the outer sleeve, with the inner sleeve on the back of the jacket.

    Long term reaction to the double pocket style sleeves: They are very well produced and the records feel very secure, but they’re not nearly as convenient as standard open on one end outer sleeves. Given their cost, if you play your records a lot, I would recommend them only for your most valuable/beloved albums.
     
  16. lehmanhill

    lehmanhill Almost "Made"

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    I was cleaning some "new to me" records and found this zip-loc inner sleeve. It's not going to change anything I do, but I thought it was an interesting way to keep dust off of records. As far as I can tell, its not something you can buy these days anyway.
     

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