THE LAST FACTORY -- MAXIMUM MUSIC AT MINIMUM COST
STEP No. 1: GETTING THE RECORD TOTALLY CLEAN BEFORE YOU PLAY IT
That new record you just bought may look clean on the surface, but it's not.
The music comes out of the grooves, and every record ever made left the record company with traces of compounds still in the grooves from the record pressing process. To get the full sound you paid for when you bought the record, you'll have to clean the record before you play it.
After all, it just makes sense that clean sound starts with a clean record.
But here's the problem: the water-based cleaner that came with the nice wooden handle just won't do the job, because the deposits and trace compounds on your record are not water-soluble.
Older records are an even bigger problem, because so many of the contaminants like air pollution and finger-prints simply cannot be removed by water-based cleaners effectively.
---- DEEP-CLEANED WEAR-PROTECTED & MAINTAINED WITH LAST SYSTEM FORMULAS (AFTER 200 PLAYS)
That's why we developed LAST System Formula 1, Extra-Strength Record Cleaner, the first step in our system formula series.
Formulated for first-play and deep-cleaning use, LAST Extra Strength Record Cleaner is guaranteed to remove all record surface contaminants ... safely.
LAST System Formula 1-- Extra-Strength Record Cleaner is an exclusive formula, designed specifically for use on records, and is guaranteed safe and guaranteed effective. What's more, it's easy to use, with one-step application and drying that takes only seconds.
WE KEEP YOUR RECORDS SOUNDING BRAND NEW
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA 1: EXTRA-STRENGTH RECORD CLEANER SYSTEM FORMULA 2: RECORD PRESERVATIVE SYSTEM FORMULA 3: ALL-PURPOSE RECORD CLEANER SYSTEM FORMULA 4: STYLUS CLEANER SYSTEM FORMULA 5: STYLAST STYLUS TREATMENT
THE LAST FACTORY
2015 RESEARCH DRIVE LIVERMORE, CA 94550, USA.
Phone: 415-449-9449
LAST System Formulas are sold separately and in convenient combination kits, from professional-use sizes to low-cost trial sizes. For the dealer nearest you or to order if no dealer is near you, call TOLL FREE 800-223-LAST ( California 800-222-LAST)
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STEP No. 2: SOLVING THE PROBLEM IF RECORD WEAR: "BRAND NEW" SOUND EVERY TIME
People who are serious about their music know that every time a record is played, there is a little more noise, a few more "pops" and "clicks" until one day, it's just not enjoyable to listen to that album any more. In technical terms, the record has been subject to microscopic "shock-wave fracturing" with every play.
The problem is so severe that a lot of people actually go to the trouble and expense of recording their favorite albums as soon as they buy them, or sometimes are just afraid to play their albums at all.
If this sounds like you, you can stop cheating yourself out of musical enjoyment as of right now.
Why? Because one of the best-kept secrets in the world of sound is LAST System Formula 2, Record Preservative...a unique chemical treatment that actually stops record wear completely. There is nothing like on the market.
Remarkable as this may seem, LAST System Formula 2 Record Preservative is absorbed into the record vinyl itself, below the surface, and making the vinyl more stable, enables the record groove to withstand repeated plays without wear. Quite simply, your records do not wear out when treated with LAST System Formula 2 Record Preservative. The best part is that LAST System Formula 2 Record Preservative is an inexpensive, one-time treatment that takes only 30 seconds, and is guaranteed to wear-protect a record for 200 plays or more.
Now, imagine playing the first record you ever bought and hearing it sound as good as the first play. (...or better, if you've up-graded your system since then). You get brand new sound every time when your records have been "wear-protected" with LAST System Formula 2 Record Preservative.
---------- NEW, UNTREATED RECORD: 50 PLAYS MICROSCOPIC PHOTO OF LAST-TREATED RECORD: 200 PLAYS
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STEP No. 3: KEEPING YOUR RECORDS CLEAN (...WITHOUT MAKING MATTERS WORSE)
We admit that at first glance, "record cleaners" look pretty much alike, and they all seem to do just about the same thing: get the dust off.
The problem is not so much what the record cleaner will get off your record, but what it leaves on in the way of residue. Unfortunately, many music lovers get distracted by the aesthetics of walnut- handled brushes and polished aluminum brushes, when it's the record-cleaning fluid that will go on and in some cases, stay on the record.
LAST System Formula 3
All-Purpose Record Cleaner is formulated to maintain a clean record surface, without any trace of residue. It is easy to apply, dries quickly and is extremely economical, since one kit will clean hundreds of records. As the name implies, LAST All-Purpose Record Cleaner is for regular use, safe for use every time you play a record. Each kit contains a scientifically- designed applicator with an optimum surface area made with light-colored microfibre so you can see how effective the cleaning action is.
Perhaps most importantly, LAST System Formula 3 All- Purpose Record Cleaner is an integral part of the LAST System Formula Series of Record and Stylus Care Components. Each formula works together, guaranteed to be effective in bringing you unparalleled sound from your present system.
We recommend that for maximum results, you first use LAST System Formula 1 Extra Strength Record Cleaner to remove all stubborn contaminants that get between you and your sound...second, wear-protect your records with LAST System Formula 2 Record Preservative to keep your records sounding new for 200 plays or more...and third, use LAST System Formula 3 All-Purpose Record cleaner to maintain the clean, wear- protected surface free of annoying "pops" and "clicks."
--------------- RECORD TREATED WITH WELL-KNOWN PRODUCT: 50 PLAYS DEEP-CLEANED WEAR-PROTECTED & MAINTAINED WITH LAST SYSTEM FORMULAS (AFTER 200 PLAYS)
STEP No. 4: CLEANING YOUR STYLUS (...BUT WHY BOTHER?)
In the "old days" it was a fairly common sight to see someone "clean the needle" of the phonograph with a fingertip.
Today's technologically advanced stylus/cartridge assemblies have made that a very bad idea, indeed. But the problem still remains ... how to clean the stylus? The real problem is much worse than it looks, because deposits on the stylus are almost impossible to see except under magnification, but these tiny deposits can cause big problems, like increased friction, noise, greatly increased record wear, and scratchy-sounding groove damage.
(See below)
So what? A dirty stylus can change some of the music on your record into noise...permanently. Not only that, but a dirty stylus doesn't track properly, so no matter how you look at it, you're just not getting all the music from your record. Your stylus becomes very hot (in excess of 350° F) so deposits are literally "baked" on the tip, particularly if the record hasn't been deep-cleaned and wear-protected. (See "Step #1" and "Step #2") But it's so easy and economical to solve this problem with LAST System Formula 4 Stylus Cleaner.
And since LAST Stylus Cleaner doesn't contain alcohol, it's completely safe for all cartridge assemblies.
Each kit costs so little, yet contains a stylus cleaning brush with enough formula to clean your stylus thousands of times.
As with each product in the LAST System Formula Series, LAST System Formula 4 Stylus Cleaner is guaranteed effective...guaranteed to safely remove all stylus deposits. To our knowledge, it's the only product that is guaranteed to work.
----------- STYLUS WITH "BAKED-ON" DEPOSITS
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STEP No. 5: TREATING YOUR STYLUS TO A MILE OF MUSIC
Fact: Your stylus travels about one mile through record grooves every time you play an album. Add to that the fact that the pressure of the stylus on the record groove is measured in "tons-per-square-inch" and you've got some idea of what your stylus is going through in order to make the music you're hearing.
Consider also that the stylus is the very point at which musical information enters the stereo system, and that if you expect absolutely perfect sound, the contact between the stylus and the record has to be perfect.
In other words, a small problem with your stylus makes for big problems with getting all the music you want to hear. And a worn stylus not only doesn't work very well, but can gouge a record groove so as to change music into noise ...permanently.
The good news is that it's easy and inexpensive to solve these problems once and for all...with LAST System Formula 5, STYLAST Stylus Treatment. Not only does LAST Stylast Stylus Treatment improve that all- important contact between stylus and record groove, but it's guaranteed to extend stylus life up to ten times normal while maintaining the critical flexibility of the stylus suspension.
Using the LAST System Formula Series of products is just about standard operating procedure at places like the Consumer Electronics Show and whenever people who know good sound want to hear what's really on the record and want to hear the same great sound the same way every time. And why not? Using the entire LAST System Formula series costs only about a penny per play.
---------------- STYLAST PREVENTS THIS STYLUS WEAR
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Finally ...
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA SERIES OF RECORD AND STYLUS CARE IS WORTH LOOKING FOR ...
We wish we could say that the LAST System Formula Series of record and stylus care components was in every single record and stereo dealer, but it's not.
Up until now, only select dealers have made LAST products available to professionals and serious music lovers... because a lot of professionals say it's the only system they will use.
And thousands of serious music lovers who have tried everything use LAST products every time. But it's the classic case of great products that have been a sort of "secret discovery" for people who want to get the most music from their records and equipment.
Still, you'll have to look for the LAST System Formula Series and ask your dealer more than once.
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA 1 EXTRA-STRENGTH RECORD CLEANER: For first-play and deep- cleaning use-guaranteed to safely remove all record surface contaminants.
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA 2 RECORD PRESERVATIVE: Guaranteed to wear-protect records and keep them sounding brand-new for 200 plays or more.
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA 3 ALL-PURPOSE RECORD CLEANER: Guaranteed to maintain a completely clean record surface without residue.
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA 4 STYLUS CLEANER: Guaranteed to safely remove all stylus deposits.
LAST SYSTEM FORMULA 5 STYLASTTM STYLUS TREATMENT: Guaranteed to extend stylus life up to 10 times normal.
----- LAST: SYSTEM FORMULA SERIES
For the dealer nearest you, call TOLL-FREE 800-223-LAST (800-222-LAST in California)
(Source: Audio magazine, oct. 1984)
Also see:
In the Groove: Close-up of Record Wear (article by Walter E. Davies, The Last Fatory, Sept 1980)
RECORD WEAR--The diamond and the rough and what they can do to each other
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