Category Archives: gear

Vintage Garage Chicago

Events, gear, , , ,

vintage garage chicagoI recently got the vintage bug after looking for vinyl at one of Chicago’s other vintage fairs and lo and behold, Vintage Garage Chicago has RECORD RAMP scheduled for June 15 2014.

This is a pretty exciting development for me as I was a bit resigned to having to go on a bug hunt for record sellers at events like this–don’t ask me why, just a stupid assumption on my part–and I find myself pleasantly surprised that I won’t have to use a microscope to find records after all…

This month’s event is all about Mid-Century Modern, which is another obsession of mine, so I will be haunting Vintage Garage Chicago this month and next…and probably for the entire summer. I’ve never been to one of these before so look forward to coverage here when the time comes…hopefully I can find one of those space-age “bubble” turntables at a reasonable price.

(image below courtesy www.vintageandflea.com)

–Joe Wallace

Futuristic turntable 60s midcentury modern

Audio-Technica USB Turntable

editorial, gear, , , ,

As a DJ and vinyl manipulator, I’ve used Audio Technica turntables like the AT-LP1240-USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable in my work, and I’ve always been satisfied with the quality I get from these. Yes, they weigh thirty five pounds which can be a right pain to lug around from gig to gig, but they’ve always been dependable and fairly rugged.

I write about this turntable–and others to come–because I am asked a LOT about the turntables I prefer and the answer is always the same. It depends a LOT on what you’re using the turntables FOR. There are people who think I am CRAZY for using Crosley products, for example, thinking that I play ALL my vinyl on them.

But when it comes to portable turntables, I personally love those little Crosleys and the issue people have with them is always something directly related to “why would you play your expensive vinyl records on one?”

The answer is that I DON’T. I play beat up, well used and loved records on them in the context of having a good time, not as a recording audiophile looking for the perfect fidelity.

Back to Audio-Technica. Yes, $350 is a pretty serious price tag for some, but the motor in this seems top notch, I’ve never had one fail on me yet, and I’m very happy with the three that I own…just an FYI in case you’re curious. I have one to play records on at home and two that I travel with for shows and installation art gigs that require vinyl manipulation or playback…

–Joe Wallace

Audio Technica USB turntable

Wax Rax For Vinyl Storage

editorial, gear, Uncategorized,
Courtesy of DNAinfo/New York
Courtesy of DNAinfo/New York

If you’r ever in New York (Brooklyn to be precise) and in the mood to display your albums in a way contrary to the famous brand that caused a panic recently, check out Wax Rax. These are gorgeous record carts made by avid collector and metal fabricator.  Pricey, true, but built to last, each is made to order.  And (so far the ones in the slide show ) these guys have wheels. Wheels are a nice thing to have when moving the precious collection about.  Take that,  Swedish cabinet fellows!

Jen Kilzer

The Vinyl Record Guitar

Blogs, gear, Media

I suppose someone was going to do it eventually…and here it is, a detailed look at the creation of a vinyl record electric guitar, as assembled by Tom Bingham. According to his YouTube post this project wound up taking several attempts before he go it right! Looking at the video you’ll see that it’s not a decorative thing–those are working pickups installed there…and it does get stringed up eventually, too. It looks pretty impressive when it’s all assembled, shined up and pretty. Nice work!

–Joe Wallace