Records not stored vertically for decades


I’m looking to eventually get my vinyl rig back up n running and went to get my albums and found they’ve been lying flat probably for decades in two stacks of about 75 albums in each stack.  Any chance they’re still in good shape, or what damage may have been done versus being stored vertically?  They’ve been in a dry, temperature-controlled basement the whole time.  No way to play them right now so just hoping they might still be ok.  Thanks for thoughts.

soix

Dear @soix  : Sorry but your thread has no sense to me. 

Who cares what other gentlemans could think about when you have you are the LP owner and you can watch directly to see if are ok or not?

 

It could be better that you check 100 of those LP and then share with us in which condition are. Don't yu think?

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

The big problem with stored records is mold growth on the vinyl and jacket which produces that mildew smell. This is worsened by humid environments. As long as you do not smell mildew and the records were not subject to heat you will be ok. If they were subject to heat the results will be rather obvious.

soix, I've seen many cautions against horizontal stacking but never read any specific reports of damage when doing that.  I assume it relates to flatness since humidity or mold could be a problem when stored at any angle.

Apparently your turntable is not set up.  So maybe a few visual inspections.  If you have any glass tabletops or other absolutely flat surfaces, pull a few LPs from the piles and lay the bare records on top.  If there was severe warping or cupping it should be obvious.

The advantage of the horizontal stacking is you don't compromise album covers as much as they're stacked on top of each other.

Record surfaces should be fine otherwise. 

Returning to us a Vinyl Source with a selection of Vinyl LP's stored for 20 years +.

That seems like a experience that can generate excitement, especially when some of the Albums in storage, might be worth a much more than the price from when acquired.

There might be one gem in their that can cover the cost of a Vinyl Replay equipment ?