Collecting Vinyl is Cool Again
August 30th 2010 03:11
Vinyl is sexy again
No matter the reason, if you're wanting to start a record collection without wasting time or money - there's some simple ways of going about it.
If you're collecting for fun, then the best place to start is via garage sales, the classifieds or on-line site such as ebay.
Home owners who are looking to make some money or clean out their house are willing to part with older items like records so you can generally do some great deals.
Depending on whether you're on the hunt for 45's (singles) or 33's (albums) you can usually find ready sellers on sites such as ebay who list under the categories, 45s, bulk records, bulk vinyl, vinyl albums and record collections - and most with very low reserves.
This is a great avenue for the generalist - who might be simply after a collection from a particular artist, style or generation of music such as punk, disco, heavy metal or bubblegum.
Of course you can alwasy start your record collection by speaking with friends and family.
Parents and older relatives may have insight into their favorite records or have records of their own that they want to share. You might be suprised at how many friends or co-workers may have a similar interest in starting a collection, providing a good network early in the process.
Don't be shy about asking others where they find their records if you meet someone who collects. And don't get discouraged if it's taking you a long time to build your collection. Part of the fun is the thrill of the hunt and the pat on the back you give yourself when you find that perfect, speaks-to-your-soul record you never knew you've always wanted.
If you're after some real entertainment - nothing beats going to a record fair. The clash of cultures is surreal, with punk rockers mixing it socially with those who are fans of Doris Day - in a wondeful mix of social equality and musical tolerance.
Most big towns and certainly cities hold regular fairs - with two popular venues here is Sydney held every three months or so.
A couple I frequent are:
For details on the Parramatta Record and Collectables Fair Click Here
For details on the Glebe Record Fair Click Here
While I have no business or commercial interest in either - it is a great melting pot of culture and whether you purchase something or nothing - it's an experience which will get you hooked.
Prices can start from as low as 50c and (in the case of one single I spied from The Beatles on the weekend) as high as $6500 . . . go figure!
So, whether you're like me and collect for the sheer fun and memories or looking for a new hobby, you could do a lot worse than re-discover vinyl.
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Plenty of sellers are prepared to part with 45's at this price. In fact I snapped up 8 singles on the weekend - the most expensive of these was $2.
The fun is in the hunt.
Cheers
Comment by Janice H.
Exploring the Paranormal
Comment by Anonymous
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Here's the thing.
You can always make very creative looking nut bowls out of old vinyl records by placing them in a large pot of boiling water or perhaps turn them into a clock by pulling the mechanism and hands off one of those 'Dollar Shop' clocks and inserting through the hole in the middle.
So many uses.
If hubby genuinely thinks he has a fortune buy him the Record Album Price Guide from somewhere like Borders - it will keep him busy for days.
Comment by Anonymous
When we first started buying our albums onto CD, I purchased one of my favorites on CD, listened to it, and all of the dimension to the sound, the super throbbing lows and highs, were compressed into the digital width of the CD. I was so letdown, I sold the CD immediately. Now I hear CDs that are pretty close matches to the vinyl, but the vinyl still has more aural dimension. For those who haven't really paid attention to a vinyl record, I suggest that the beginner get an album on both vinyl and CD (one that was released originally on vinyl and later mixed for CD) and listen to them both, through headphones or earphones. They will be astonished about the sound difference. Music that is produced for CD release is so compressed that it won't translate to vinyl, unless it is significantly remastered.
Then there is the further compression/loss of of sound quality inherent in compressed sound technology like MP3s and such. It would be nice if music lovers were sensitive to these differences and made their musical tastes based on sound quality as well as on other musical qualities.
There are bands today (Porcupine Tree, for a great example) that release on both CD and vinyl. Buy the vinyl if you can. Its jaw dropping.