New Astro Vinyl lava lamp

Posted on August 20th, 2021 by Mathmos

Our new range of classic 1963 Astro lava lamps is inspired by vinyl records. Much like Mathmos lava lamps, vinyl records have lasted the test of time and we think the two have lots in common.

Skilled British craftsmen spin the aluminium and etch in the grooves. Then a shiny black anodised finish is applied to create the record-like effect. There is a unique box design and its woven sawtooth black and white lead is similar to those found on guitars and amplifiers.

There is an urban legend that it is good luck to have a lava lamp in a recording studio. It is rumoured to be because engineers would use lava lamps as timers to let them know when tube microphones were warmed up enough to be used. The legendary David Bowie was photographed by Jimmy King in this recording studio with an Astro Baby in action.

Lava lamps have been owned and used by several musicians Ringo Star, Paul McCartney and Keane to mention a few. Shown above with band members of the Stereophonics in their video for Handbags and Gladrags.

Rega like Mathmos are a heritage British manufacturer, they specialise in high-quality Hi-Fi. See our Astro Vinyl lava lamps sitting in Rega’s yellow demo room and their Planar 2 deck in one of our images.