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inner and outer sleeve discussion

ctjetta

ctjetta

It's not a perfect world
This is gonna be a bass-ackwards post- you see, I've already ordered my inner and outer sleeves. They're on their way as I write.

I researched the AK postings, looked at You-Tube videos, searched other forums (don't worry, I didn't weigh their opinions as heavily as those here) and then searched for the sleeves I'd decided on.

Inner sleeves- MOFI inners

While searching for a supplier I came across Elusive Disc. Never heard of them. Don't know what to report. They do offer lots of vinyl oriented products. They had an offer- a box of 100 MOFI Inner Sleeves, a bottle of MOFI record Cleaner (I know, I can make my own and I will, but, for now . . . ) and a MOFI Record Brush for a rather good price. (Not gonna find way into Dollars and Sense, here). While I was at it I ordered more sleeves, a MOFI Stylus Brush and replacement pads to get me to the magic $100 threshold for free shipping.

Outer Sleeves- Blake Sleeves

I don't really see a proper alternative. The only real decisions are single or double and flap or no flap. I understand the argument for the flap, and I can change my mind down the road, especially at the reasonable cost of these sleeves, but I chose no flap. I ordered 100 single and 100 double.

So there ya go. That's what I did. Now's your chance to opine on this topic AFTER I made my decision not before.

How's that for a change of pace?!
 
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MOFI sleeves are fine, I personally use Sleeve City Ultimate sleeves that I buy on Amazon as they are less prone than MOFIs to bunching up as they go into the cover, as they have more thickness/weight to them. But same principle, poly/paper construction.

Outer sleeves - I use "Square Deal 3 mil poly" outers that I buy on Amazon, they fit gatefold and non gatefold covers. No flap.

Not sure what else you are trying to get here. You bought them, they will work.
 
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/old-unused-e-stat-sleeves.217246/

Here's a link to an AK thread regarding an interesting score I had some years back when I first got my TT up and running. I check around for these once in a while, but have never seen them since. There are pics in the opening post. If you can find some they really can't be beat. Aside from that I use the mofi inners with the paper backs. They seem to hold up well anyway.
 
MoFi is my first choice for my gems and favorites.
Sleeve City Ultimate is for general stock.
Disckeeper if I sell any. These are also slightly smaller which is good for those covers that also are very slightly smaller.
 
While MoFi's are nice, I quit purchasing because they bunch so bad....and then there was that ol' white residue ordeal from a few years back.
Now, I use poly lined rounded corner paper and different levels of Disckeeper dependent on the value of the LP.
Outer sleeves....whatever non flap is cheapest.
 
I think from what I've been reading if it wasn't for the occasional bunching issue MOFI would would have most of the inner sleeve market. They still are a big favorite it seems.
 
I use the Disckeeper sleeves from Sleeve City. Best compromise between price and quality, although years ago when I first started replacing sleeves I used Sleeve City's paper sleeves, the ones with rounded corners and a label hole. A lot of my LPs are still in those sleeves and they've held up great. No dust, LPs are still clean.
 
I have a stack of MoFi and KAB poly/ paper inner sleeves. I change out the original sleeves after purchase.

When I first started collecting, I moved sleeves around based on how much I like the album. Now, all of my albums are in quality inner sleeves.

I believe I have all of my albums in either MoFi or KAB poly-paper at this point. I do not think it matters all that much so long as the albums are in quality sleeves.

I have recycled many paper sleeves.

For outer sleeves, I don't really care. Many of my albums have outer sleeves, but I think it is more important to have them at a record shop than in my personal collection. Most of my albums are in enclosed storage.
 
I tried MoFi and like the white paper/poly lined sleeves from Bags Unlimited better.
Will go back to them after these MoFi sleeves are used up.

For dust jackets, I like the the thickest polypropylene (6 mil) jackets.
They're not cheap but they make a record cover look like a million bucks.
 
I use inner and outer sleeves from Bags Unlimited. For LPs, I use polyprop outer sleeves with resealable flap in two sizes, and the rice paper style of inners.
 
SA-708 said:
I use inner and outer sleeves from Bags Unlimited. For LPs, I use polyprop outer sleeves with resealable flap in two sizes, and the rice paper style of inners.
Click to expand...

Being a user of the flap style outer sleeve, have you seen an actual advantage in protection or otherwise? As for convenience, how about the extra effort to unseal/seal when playing a record?
Also does the the flap have any effect on how your records sit on the shelf?
 
I use no flap outer sleeves with the opening at the top. It is easy to slide the whole record in and out from the shelf without the outer sleeve coming off. I put the LP in an inner sleeve behind the jacket and put it in so the opening is to one side or the other. Norm
 
ctjetta said:
Being a user of the flap style outer sleeve, have you seen an actual advantage in protection or otherwise? As for convenience, how about the extra effort to unseal/seal when playing a record?
Also does the the flap have any effect on how your records sit on the shelf?
Click to expand...
It isn't really a problem sealing and unsealing the sleeve; the Bags Unlimited ones have the adhesive on the body of the sleeve, not the flap, which makes a difference in removing the record with the flap open. It does take a touch of extra effort when sliding a record back in place on the shelf, to not catch the flap on the record next door. As far as thickness, clarity, and durability, I much prefer the polypropylene sleeves to the polyethylene.
 
If longevity is a concern, I prefer the MoFi type sleeves over the poly/paper construction. The poly/paper sleeves are easier to use due to its stiffness but I am finding that the paper portion will deteriorate over time. I have used both the MoFi and the poly/paper sleeves that I bought about 30 years ago and the MoFi ones seems to age better as paper will eventually fall apart.

As to outer sleeves, not all are the same as I am finding that some are crumbling apart (again after 30 years) where as some are not.
 
pyoung272 said:
As to outer sleeves, not all are the same as I am finding that some are crumbling apart (again after 30 years) where as some are not.
Click to expand...

OK, why are you making me ask? Which outer sleeves are you using that are now crumbling?
 
ctjetta said:
OK, why are you making me ask? Which outer sleeves are you using that are now crumbling?
Click to expand...

Wish I could tell you who manufactures those that are crumbling as it was 30 years ago that I purchased them. I have the feeling that who manufactures them is not as important as the composition of the sleeves. In looking at sleeves being offered today, I see ones made of polyethylene, polypropylene and other such material. Maybe someone can chime in on which material last the longest.
 
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