A Beginner’s Guide to Shopping for Vinyl Records
There is nothing quite like the thrill and satisfaction of building your own record collection and perusing through the dusty shelves of record stores looking for that perfect album. Shopping and Collecting vinyl records is a great hobby and it is coming back into popularity these days as many people recognize that the warmth of the sound produced by a vinyl recording cannot be replicated exactly in any digital form. If you have decided to get into collecting records, what should you know before you get started? Here are some helpful tips that the beginner should keep in mind when it comes to the world of records: Know What You Are Looking For
Your record collection will be a lot better if you have some sense of vision and organization when you are creating it. Don’t simply buy any old records just for the hell of it, or you will end up owning a lot of random albums that might not be
that great. The contents of your record collection should be meaningful to you. What is the most important thing about collecting records for you? Are you most interested in the fascinating album art? Or perhaps you are dedicated to cataloging a certain genre? Or maybe you are buying all of the albums that remind you of your childhood and teenage years? Whatever is important to you about your collection, make sure that you keep it in mind when you are buying. Have a Place to Store Them
If you will be investing money into buying records, you will need to make sure that you have a safe place to store them where they will not get damaged. Make sure that you stand them up vertically rather than stacking them horizontally, as this method of storage will cause damage over time. Set a Budget
It’s easy to get a little bit carried away in the record store when you find a stack of great records and you convince yourself that you have to have them all! However, unless you have unlimited cash to spend on your record collection, you will probably need to set some sort of spending limits. Do a little bit of research on online record stores and on eBay to see how much money the records you want tend to cost. Set yourself a price limit per record and stay within it. Every now and then you might decide to splurge a little bit more on a very rare and special record, but make sure you are always searching for a better price before you make impulse purchases. Buy Vinyl At Concerts
When you go to a concert of a band you like, you can support them by purchasing their record from the merchandise booth. Many bands are starting to sell records at their concerts and sometimes they are tour exclusive releases – which will be rarer collectible items in the future. Make sure that you bring cash – the merchandise booths don’t always take credit card. Consider the Condition
When you are buying records as collector’s items the condition of the record is very important. The price of a rare record can really depend on the condition of the vinyl itself and the jacket. Take a close look at the vinyl for scratches the break the surface. Most of the time you will see surface marks, but it is the deep scratches in the record that will ruin the sound. Also, look closely at the jacket of the record. Is there visible wear around the vinyl inside, which is also known as “ring wear?” If the record has been stored in a humid environment it might have mol or other general water damage. Also Consider the Pressing
Another factor to consider is the “pressing” – which is whether or not the record comes from the original release or if it was re-pressed later. For example, if the album is originally from the 1960s the vinyl will be thicker, the record label will have a street address, the jacket will be thicker cardboard and the sleeve might have advertisements for other albums from the same time period. If you can find a first pressing they will cost a little more, but they will be worth it. They usually sound much better thanks to the heavier vinyl and they will have more details to the artwork and the overall feel of the album. Where Should You Buy Vinyl?
There are a few places where you can buy records for your collection. First, check out your local record store. You might pay a little more to buy from the record store, but you will be able to inspect the vinyl in person and return it if it is poor quality or defective. Another option is to shop online for records. Many stores, such as Records Plus, offer the option to shop their collection online. This can be much more convenient than buying in the store and it will allow you to browse albums from the comfort of your own home in your pyjamas. You can also head out on a weekend and visit some of the garage sales in your area – you are sure to find someone who wants to get rid of their old vinyl and will sell it to you at a great price. Tell Your Friends You Are Collecting
Let everyone in your life know that you collect records for a hobby and they will probably keep an eye out for any great opportunities or deals. If they know someone who is selling their records or if they see a sweet deal on records anywhere they will think of you and let you know. Enjoy Collecting Records!
The most important thing about collecting records is that it should be something fun and rewarding for you. Enjoy the process of building your collection and take your time letting it grow. After all, the hunt for the record itself can sometimes be the most exciting part!