top of page
Fade-v2.0.png

FAQ's

Answers to those burning questions you have.

Folded Record Bureau | Your questions answered
  • How much does shipping cost?
    Shipping to UK mainland addresses is FREE for all bureaus. You can find out more about our shipping and returns policy here...
  • Do you ship outside of the UK?
    We are not currently shipping orders outside of the UK, but we have plans to do so soon. If you would be interested in having an order shipped outside the UK, please contact us directly using the form on our contact page.
  • What is your returns policy?
    You can find out more about our shipping and returns policy here...
  • Can I cancel or make amendments to an order?
    If you want to cancel or amend you order, please contact us as soon as possible. Though all sales are final once confirmed, if we are yet to start making your piece, it may be possible to amend or cancel you order. All our bureaus are made by hand and to order, so if we have incurred costs at the point you want to amend or cancel, you will be responsible for this, and we will inform you of any additional costs before confirming or cancelling your order.
  • How will my bureau be shipped?
    All of our bureaus are shipped by pallet. Each item will be protected and wrapped to ensure everything arrives with you in perfect condition. All bureaus must be signed for on delivery, and tracking information will be provided on dispatch of your order. You can find out more about our shipping policy here...
  • Can I track my order during shipping?
    Yes, tracking information will be emailed to you when your order is dispatched. You can find out more about our shipping and returns policy here...
  • Are your bureaus in stock, and can they be delivered immeadiately?
    All our bureaus are made to order in our own workshop. This allows us to incorporate your personal customisations, such as wood choice. We aim to dispatch all orders within 14 days, and we will inform you of progress as you order moves through our workshop until it's ready for dispatch. Delivery usually takes 2-3 working days, and you can find out more about our shipping and returns policy here...
  • Do you do rush orders?
    Our normal lead time is 14 days from confirmation of order, but if you need your order sooner, please get in touch with us directly, and we'll do everythign we can to help. You can contact us using the form on our contact page here...
  • What if my order is delayed?
    If your order is delayed, we'll let you know and keep you updated on progress. We work really hard to meet the lead times we advertise, and any delayed orders move up to our highest priority status.
  • What if I can't take delivery for a long time? Should I still order now?
    Great question! Yes, please go ahead and place your order. We can store your order for up to 12 months, and arrange shipping when you are ready for delivery. Please let us know at the time of ordering if you wish to delay shipping.
  • How can I pay for my order?
    You can pay for your order online through our web store using all major credit and debit cards, or PayPal. We also accept payment by online transfer, and you can let us know if you want to do this when placing your order. You're welcome to pay in person with cash, but all orders must be paid for in full before we will put them into our making schedule.
  • Is your online payment system secure?
    Yes, it's really secure. If you choose a direct payment gateway to complete your purchase, then Wix stores your credit card data. It is encrypted through the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). Your purchase transaction data is stored only as long as is necessary to complete your purchase transaction. After that is complete, your purchase transaction information is deleted. All direct payment gateways adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of credit card information by our store and its service providers. You can find out more about Wix’s payment security standards here: https://support.wix.com/en/article/security-of-wixs-billing-services-and-pci-compliance
  • Can I place an order by phone or email?
    Yes, just give us a call on +44(0)151 709 0970, or email us through the form on our contact page here...
  • Does the price include VAT?
    Yes. All the prices you see on our website include vat at the current rate.
  • Where can I see a bureau?
    We have some bureaus available to see at our workshop in Liverpool, but as each bureau is made to order, we may not have your specific configuration made up. We do, however, have examples of the materials and components we use, so you should be able to get a really good idea of your chosen configuration. If you'd like to arrange an appointment to visit the workshop, you can do so here...
  • Can I have a sample of the wood before ordering?
    Yes, we can send you a sample pack of all our wood finishes. They cost £10, and you can find them in our online shop...
  • Why do different woods cost more?
    The cost of certain woods like walnut is considerably more than for other such as Oak. We work hard to make sure our pricing is fair, transparent, and represents great value for money. Rather than have a blanket cost for each piece, where orders for less expensive configurations subsidise those that are more expensive, we add the additional cost of materials only to the orders that are more expensive for us to make.
  • Do you accept bespoke orders?
    We certainly do! In fact, this is what our workshop was founded on. If you'd like to discuss a bespoke order, just get in touch using the form on our contact page here... If you'd like to see some examples of special bureaus and vinyl players we've made, click here...
  • Can I request a different timber, stain, or finish?
    You certainly can! If you'd like to discuss a bespoke order, just get in touch using the form on our contact page here...
  • Do you offer a garentee?
    Yes, we offer a 2 year garentee that covers parts and labour. Please see our Terms + Conditions page for more info....
  • What's your environmental policy?
    We recognize and enthusiastically accept our responsibility to work in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way. ​ We are committed to continually searching for ways to reduce the impact of our work on the environment: in the materials we buy; the processes we use; and the waste we create and how it is disposed. We conduct regular audits to establish how we can reduce our impact. In a recent example of this we managed to halve the amount of plastic we were using to mix our finishes. We achieved this through discussions with our makers, conducting our own research, and some maths, sampling, and emailing. The result was a mixing cup at 57g, replacing one at 121g. ​ ​ Over the many years we have been making wood furniture, we have discovered some amazing environmentally conscious materials and processes that we’re very keen to incorporate into our projects. If you’re looking for design-lead furniture in wood, that is as environmentally responsible as it is beautiful, you're in the right place.
  • Is it self-assembly?
    Your bureau will arrive fully assembled, save for any parts or components that may need additional protection during shipping, such as a stylus. All our bureaus are made in our own workshop, and assembled by hand by our own team of craftspeople.
  • How do I take care of the wood?
    All our woodwork is finished in a hard-waring lacquer that is highly resistant to stains and damage. A dry, lint-free cloth should be enough to keep your bureau looking great. For more stubborn marks, a cloth dipped in soapy water then ringed out is fine. Just make sure you dry the woodwork after cleaning. Any spills should be wiped up immediately, and it’s best not to use any harsh chemicals, as these could effect he finish. If you want to add a bit of lustre, bees wax is fine to use, though this may result in glass rings and other marks being more visible.
  • Is their cable management?
    Yes. We hate trailing cables as much as you do, so we've add cable management ties to the back of all our pieces, and you'll see a large hole in the back panel of some of our bureaus to allow cables to toute through into audio equipment and HiFi separates.
  • Will my vinyl fit on the shelf?
    Yes! All our vinyl shelves are designed so that, even at their shortest end, a 12.5" / 317mm vinyl sleeve can fit in without issue. Check the description under each bureau to find out how many standard vinyl records can fit into that piece.
  • How many records will fit on the shelf?
    Check the description under each bureau to find out how many standard vinyl records can be stored in that piece.
  • What is the up-turned end of the bureau for?
    The up-turned end is one of the signitures of our Folded Record Bureaus. It provides a convenient location to store a sleeve whilst that record plays, stack a few records to play next, or put your favourite record on show for all to see.
  • Does the bureau have accounstic isolation from the ground?
    Short answer: No Longer answer: Acoustic isolation is an often misunderstood concept, and is neither necessary nor sufficient. In a perfect world, you'd have zero vibration in your record player, and it would reproduce the audio signature from the vinyl without loss or distortion. However, we don't live in a perfect world, and some vibration is inevitable. Isolation attempts to, as the name suggests, isolate the record player from the surrounding environment. It's done in three ways.... Spike: these are usually made in hardened steel and sit in a reciprocal cup. They act to reduce the point of contact between the player and the floor Absorbing foam: These are usually black and rubbery, and attempt to remove vibration by soaking up vibrations within the foam without transferring any to the player Springs: most often found where the tonearm and bridge are connected to to chassis of the vinyl player, these work by oscillating at the same frequency as the external vibration so that, in theory, the vinyl player is stationary whilst all around is shaking. The truth is that these methods really don’t work very well in most situations, and the benefits are often outweighed by the issues they cause. For instance, I (it's Hugh writing this - founder of Folded Record Bureau) have a B+O Beogram 5000 automatic turntable from 1985, which is suspended on three 1" springs between bridge and chassis. If you knock the player, the platter and tonearm (which are connected by the bridge) bounce around in their housings until the energy is dispelled. Hardly an exercise in 'isolation'. Similarly, acoustic foam can act as an oscillator when activated by a nudge, or it’s too stiff, so it can’t, so not much better than not having it at all. Spikes are a little different in that they are mainly found on speakers, and are quite effective at stopping the sound, from particularly the base cone, from transferring to the floor and distorting, but will do little for any loss or distortion at your stylus. All this is to say that, in general, a carpet will do just as good a job as any foam or spring for isolating your bureau, and if your floor is a hard surface, such as concrete or tile, even better, as these are usually super stable and don’t vibrate. The trouble comes if you have a creaky wood floor, which bounces as you walk on it. And I can tell you from personal experience that no amount of isolation will stop your record skipping in this scenario. The only thing for it is more weight on the stylus, resulting in more damage to your precious vinyl, or bolting your bureau to the wall (this is a great option, and work really well - contact me if you want advice on this).
  • Can I use my current turntable / amp / speakers with the bureau?
    Yes, absolutely. The first bespoke order we ever received was for a bureau without an integrated player. The client wanted to place their own very nice turntable on top, and have the flexibility to swap this out if they decided to upgrade. So, yes, all bureaus can be configured with or without an integrated turntable, and with or without a horizontal shelf for HiFi separates.
  • How do I look after my vinyl records?
    I could write an essay about how to store, handle, and car for your precious vinyl collection, but Cambridge Audio (who make fantastic quality equipment) have beaten me to the punch with a really great blog post all about this subject. Check it out here…
  • Why do you stack vinyl on it's edge rather than in a pile?
    Stacking vinyl in a pile can cause them to warp, and there's a danger that the pile can slip. It's always best to store vinyl on edge, in there inner and outer sleeves, in a tight stack so each record is supported and safe.
  • How do you clean / remove dust from a record?
    It can be a real chore to clean dusty or dirty vinyl, and you can avoid the worst of it by making sure you put your records back in their sleeves once you’ve finished playing them, so they aren’t left out to gather dust. But if that ship has sailed, and you need to do some cleaning, Rolling Stone have written a deep dive, and it’s comprehensive.
  • Do you know anywhere I can get new record sleeves?
    Great question: Juno.co.uk have you covered on this one…
  • What speakers and amps go best with record players?
    This is a really complex one, and there’s a lot of personal preference in it. What is true to say is that the quality of your speakers will do more than anything to improve your vinyl listening experience. So a cheap turntable and amp, paired with a nice set of speakers will sound measurably better than a high-end turntable and amp, paired with a cheap pair of speakers. But as a starter for 10, here’s some set-ups at various price points that work really well together….. Budget: Fluance RT80, Sony STR-DH190, Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers - The Fluance is ludicrously good for it’s £199 price tag, and the Sony is a equally good value with Bluetooth, phono input, and space for 2 pairs of speakers. Mid range: Rega Planar 3, Acram A5 amp, and Q Acoustics 5040 speakers - The Rega P3 is possibly the best bang-for-buck turntable ever made. I have a soft spot for all of the Q acoustics range, as they made my first speakers. I’ve heard excellent things about the Acram, and it has an in-built phono stage. Money no object: The Linn Sondek Lp12 with any of Linn’s phono, amp and speaker combinations. - It’s the classic. It may not even be the best. It’s just iconic, and we love it. by Hugh Miller, March 2024
  • I'm a dealer / shop / reseller. Can I stock your brueaus?
    If you're interested in stocking our products, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch direct at hello@hmillerbros.co.uk, or contact us using the form on our contact page here...
  • Are you hiring?
    We're always keen to hear from talented, motivated poeple who'd be interested in joining our growing team. You can check out our current vacancies here...

Got a question that's not answer here? Just get in touch....

lifestyle shot 1_edited.jpg
Fade-v2.0.png

Who we are...

History
Folded Record Bureau | Tech Specs

Record Bureaus...

Which bureau is right for you?
Folded Record Bureau | Customise Your Bureau
Folded Record Bureau | Customise Your Bureau
Folded Record Bureau | Customise Your Bureau

Specifications in high-def...

Download the tech-spec
Folded Record Bureau | History and Origins
bottom of page