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Old (Original?) Nitty Gritty - questions

GoldSounds

GoldSounds

Active Member
So this past weekend, I had the opportunity to buy an old Nitty Gritty record cleaner at a flea market and couldn't pass it up. I've never used one of these before, and it looks different from the currently available models on NG's website. Is this an earlier model?

More importantly, how do I use this thing? It looks like I just put record fluid on the brush, put the record on the spindle, power it on and turn the record counter-clockwise; is that right? Can I use MFSL ONE Cleaning Solution (that's what I have on hand)?

I apologize for the lighting in the pictures below. My apartment is positioned between other buildings such that I get limited direct sunlight.



 
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A copy of the operation manual is at vinylengine.com. You can do it like that. I wet and brush while the record is spinning on the table. Do one side at a time. Looks like it might be missing the platform disc to set the record on. Unless the early version did not have one.
 
It will not work the way you have it configured. The first thing to fix is the platform must be the right thickness, so that the lower surface of the LP rides perfectly parallel to the vacuum slot, and riding directly upon the felt lips of that vacuum slot.

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
gary7 said:
... Looks like it might be missing the platform disc to set the record on. Unless the early version did not have one.
Click to expand...

pustelniakr said:
It will not work the way you have it configured. The first thing to fix is the platform must be the right thickness, so that the lower surface of the LP rides perfectly parallel to the vacuum slot, and riding directly upon the felt lips of that vacuum slot.
Click to expand...

I noticed that too, but I'm not sure that there is a piece missing. The surface seems to have some sort of non-stick coating that's worn. When the record sits directly on it, the surface of the disk makes contact with velvet brushes. It seems like this might be hard on the label though. Maybe I should just contact NG about it.
 
My nitty gritty, which I thought was of the first generation, has a surface the size of the label you place the record on and then put the disc like you have on top of that and spin the record as you suck it dry. The lower serface has a bearing underneath to help it spin smoothly. You don't push very hard when you spin the record. I doubt yours will do any harm.

This is what I do when I use my nitty gritty:

Using a pair of orange handled dent pullers, purchased from Horrible Freight, I cover both sides of the label and lock them down, then I rinse each side of the record under the kitchen faucet with warm water, I then spray each side with 25/75 dolution of simple green and let them soak for about a minute I squirt them again and then use the Nitty Gritty velour brush ( they still sell them) to gently scrub each side following the grooves but going back and forth, then I rinse the record well with the sprayer attachment in the sink, again using warm water, and then I liberally spray both sides with my "final rinse" which is distilled water with 10% isopropyl and THEN I place the record on my RCM and vacuum both sides.

I know this isn't as simple as placing the record on the machine, squirting it, swabbing it, squirting it again, flipping the record and vacuuming it dry but I believe it works better.

It has worked great for me for years.

Thanks

Eric
 
Very cool looking Nitty Gritty.

I agree with 62sunbeam. I also find it best to do most of the cleaning away from the NG and then bring the record over to the machine for a vacuum. Initially, I tried cleaning the record while on the machine but found that the micro fiber strips were too hard to keep clean.
 
OP that's a very early model Nitty Gritty probably the first series from the 1980s. The basic design of the Nitty Gritty hasn't changed over the years and if you speak with Gail she should be able to help you out with any missing part. An old cheap direct drive table with either a broken or missing tonearm would be a good platform to clean/rinse the records and then as suggested vac the fluids off with the Nitty Gritty.
 
If I understand this correctly, the purpose of the Nitty Gritty is simply to remove the fluids off of the record after they have been cleaned? I suppose this reduces drying times and residue on the disk?

Thanks for all the replies, btw.
 
The way you use a Nitty Gritty 1.0 is, you wet the lips on the vacuum slot. Put the LP on the spindle, which has a small, label-sized platter on it. Hold the LP down and rotate it with a knurled label-sized knob placed on top of the LP, at the spindle. Apply your solution to the top surface, and do your agitation, in the direction of the grooves, with your favorite pads or brushes, rotating as you go. Then flip the LP over, turn on the vacuum and rotate the LP until it has been sucked dry completely. Apply your solution to the top side and repeat the process as needed. It is pretty simple, really.

When using your pad or brush, limit your downward pressure to the area that is supported by the vacuum slot.

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
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Hi @GoldSounds...I know it's been a few years since your post but I've also acquired this oooollllld NG (my serial is A247). Did you ever get yours up and running and if so, did it perform as expected?
 
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