I agree with a bunch of these. I buy what I like. I don’t own a single Beatles record, no Fleetwood Mac or Pink Floyd. Don’t have any “ must own “ records ( that Gatekeepers say you must have ) other than ones I think I must have. Buy what you want to buy. I have Polka music to Rap and everything in between. Not trying to impress anyone, I just love music, any music, on vinyl. It’s MY thing.
I have a load of Beatles, Fleetwood mac and especially pink Floyd. So what. Floyd is one of my favorite bands. Not having great music due to gatekeeper pressure is sad. You love any music? Kamala Harris word salad, but I agree: 'screw the gatekeepers'. They are pompous twats. I also don't collect lp's, except absorb an occasional old collection. I bought mine mostly following the bands, mostly for the music. Lol! buy a 'must own' unheard? That's a double fail haha. Try buying for the music instead of your ego.
@@jjrusy7438….I think it is sad that YOU think that YOUR music is great just because they are giant popular bands. I feel sorry for you just following the rest of the sheep. YOU like what YOU like and I will continue liking what I like. Keep posting negative comments keyboard cowboy and keep boosting your ego that YOUR collection is the best because you have records by all the popular bands. So sad.
Records have become completely commodified and expensive, I'm glad I was able to enjoy the pre internet era of crate digging and thrift store picking from the mid 80's through the 90's. Buying dollar records and discovering incredible music made the whole thing a great hobby and experience.
Yeah these days I pick up just one or two records each time I shop at a brick and mortar. I do love the reissues boom though. Saw a bunch of brand new Charlie Brown / Peanuts vinyl the other day.
Still do. There's a Goodwill in my area that has a vinyl section. I discover new music this way all the time. It's fun to dig' around and pull something up from the stack that's ancient but cool. I relish the fact that they are original pressings from the era in which they were produced even tho they might not be in the best condition. I'll take these tattered ones over re-issues any day of the week, especially as a first-time listener of said band or artist. It adds to the mystique.
@@drewlsy Let those people think that the good ol' days of finding $1 records is over, that leaves more for us. I don't buy tattered records, but I do find some great stuff out thrifting and buying some small collections when I come across them. Paid $40 for 2 large totes (One tote was split open and most of the records were trashed.) and was able to save a 1st UK press of Sergeant Pepper's out of mostly water damaged covers. There were some real gems in there, and that was about 3 or 4 months ago.
@@agomodern Satisfying isn't it? That's the whole point of it all really; the excavation process, the digging literally as if on expedition then encountering the imperfections resulting from the annals of weathered time reflected back at you as you hold the gem in hand. Btw, when I mention tattered, it's not to say that they ARE RUINED, rather just not Mint or Very Good. If I really dig the artist (pun intended) then I will also buy a second copy, perhaps even a re-issue if available or a better conditioned one.
I enjoy my entire music collection along with the memorabilia I have acquired over the years. I still enjoy collecting and every time I think of my collection, it puts a smile from ear to ear on my face. That alone is worth my hobby of collecting music.
Couldn't agree more. You beat me to it... lol. Collecting music is not just about CDs and Vinyl etc. If you wish it can expand to books, autographs and instruments etc. My most prized possession is a Taylor acoustic guitar signed by Taylor Swift. I was there when she signed it for me, we chatted for ages.
@@kurjan1 Agree with you 100% and what a prized possession that guitar signed by Taylor Swift. May it bring you name years of smiles as well as the rest of your collection.
Lemmy said the chase is better than the catch. I get that about record collecting. It's amazing how quickly the aura and mystique of that grail you always coveted falls away once you own it. Hope you and family good Frank.
Great comment. I have felt that many times. Get a great deal or find something you've been looking for for a while and you feel awesome! A month later you have almost forgotten about that LP and looking for the nest one.
Hi Frank. I have a very large collection of vinyl, which i started collecting in 1963. Thank goodness I started then with prices the way they are now. Some are quite valuable now and I will pass them on to my son who enjoys vinyl as much as I do. Do i listen to them all? At one time or another, yes. I love to revisit albums I haven't played for awhile. Apart from enjoying the music I get a sense of nostalgia from forgotten memories of people I knew and events in my life at the time I bought them. Want to go back in time? Pull out an old album from your past and listen to it. The youth of today have not lived long enough to experience this, but if the music means as much to them as it does to someone like me, they will.
I graduated in 2003 from high school and even while in high school I always knew that The Beatles "In My Life" would be the song I'd use to reflect in the future.
Adjusted for inflation $30 now was $3 and change in ‘63… how much were you paying for LPs in ‘63? I saw a Quora answer that claimed they were abt $3.30 in 1963, so I’m wondering if the price is really worse now
@@anthonysmith3850 LPs were $2.99 + tax for mono and $1 more for stereo. I usually bought mono. 45s were $1.00 plus tax. I couldn't afford albums until I started working in the mid-60s, nor could I pay $1 for 45s. However, Owl Rexall drug stores sold 45s for 50 cents. You had to go regularly and dig through the dreck to find the occasional hit. That's how I built my collection to over 300.
From one old man to another you couldn't have put it better, I started mid 70s on vinyl at 16, now I go to record fairs with my son & grandson who turned 16 this week & is saving up for his first turntable although he already has his first vinyl albums to play on his Dad's turntable. My son says its down to me as he loved it when I let them choose the vinyl album to play on our family nights in.
Unfortunately I don’t buy records like i used to. Mainly because prices are ridiculous. $29.99 for a new release!? $50 just to order one album plus shipping from over seas. 😂 and now you can’t find anything good in used stores anymore. Its dead and over priced.
thats nothing. i bought a vinyl 200$ and i see some sold for alot money. there are harder vinyl to find like for games or something else and it does take value. you can also find cheap new vinyl for around 10 dollars and used vinyl for a buck .
I inherited my records from my parents and they are all first pressings. That’s the value for me, but according to Discogs I’m a kazillionaire. I will never sell them ❤
I had a great friend of mine who passed away a few years ago, and I inherited his stereo equipment, and his album and cd collection. The cd collection was large due to the fact he work in a record store. The first thing I did was to go through the collection and keep only what I liked and gave away the rest to other friends who knew him. As I go along I purge even more that I probably won't even listen to. Even his equipment. Some of it just doesn't work for me, so I will try and pass it down to people who knew him and would like something to remember him.
When I sell any record to local shop I expect to get 1/2 of Discogs medium $. I think that’s doable. But I really don’t care what they are worth. The pleasure I get from spinning my records is priceless.
I am old but u sound older, I started vinyl mid 70s, we had my 3 kids choosing the music albums as they grew up they danced to, now have kids of their own doing the same to my grand kids, today I go round my sons & my grandson 16 came in with 2 vinyl albums, his first ones & he is saving for his first turntable. It's made me feel so good.
I have a vast array of records I have collected over the years, and I love the sound, look and feel of the records. I invested alot in my equipment, and I feel proud of my collection like the first day I bought them.
Why would anyone say you’re going to sell your records for retirement???? Buy real estate, invest in a 401K, don’t buy records for retirement unless you are going to enjoy it as a hobby.
Agreed. Nobody should buy any kind of collectible unless owning it is going to give them pleasure. If the resale value overtakes the value of the pleasure it brings then it might be time to sell it. However, I have lost count of the stuff I have sold only to buy it again years later.
Hey Frank! Great video! For all of the "Star Trek" fans out there; There is an episode of the original series called "Amok Time', there is a comment he makes to his ex-wife; I can't remember the exact quote but, the sentiment is about right ;" Having a thing is not quite as sweet as wanting a thing". Kind of appropriate for this video.
For me records are my collection of music I don't want to forget about. It's far too easy to have something fall off my radar when only streaming it. Even if I don't listen to some records as often as others I won't forget about those albums. They will be there to remind me of something I do enjoy.
So very true. Moving vinyl is one thing, moving over 1000 78’s is another. Did it without one being damaged. I used plastic containers, old towels, bubble wrap, brought a bag of old tee-shirts to pack them in the containers. It made the ride in my pickup as easy as I possibly could. They were in the “Decca” jackets (Albums) which helped tremendously. It was quite a job. Took two trips to complete the job.
On the flipside, I've listed some CDs up on my eBay store that I didn't think would sell and they ended up selling quicker than the ones I thought would. You just never know with people and someone, somewhere is always looking for something. - Red
Well, the ones that sold so quick were pressed in very limited numbers & are highly sought after. & I'd list below the average selling price to help build my reputation as a seller. That being said, if I can make a few buck & someone gets a record they really want, it's a win/win. I'm not one of those people who thinks I have to have every variant of an album (I actually can't stand people like that.)
Great vid!! One thing I'll add. I think it becomes very easy for people to loose site on the "collecting" side of vinyl that some have that you may NOT because of the music element. In other words I so often hear people talking about how often you do or don't listen to an album being the determining factor in having it....YET I have NEVER heard of someone going up to someone who collects baseball memorabilia and saying "Why do you have 45 bats hanging on wall and 90 baseballs in little cube boxes? If you are not going to play baseball with them it's waste. NO, we UNDERSTAND the collecting nature of that. For some reason many folks don't seem to see that along with enjoying the music SOME people ALSO have an element of being that baseball bat collector in their vinyl/music world. So there is GREAT ENJOYMENT and pleasure from owning a bat you may never use? ...same with a record that some may not spin very often at all. When it comes to collecting ANYTHING its truly about what brings pleasure to you and "using" what you collect is a very subjective thing.
One of my big beefs is that people in the vinyl community rag on people that buy to collect vs buy to listen. I too have many records I never ever listen to and it's fine because it's my collection and I am free to choose what I do or do not do with my collection. I really love those that say records are to listen to so vintage records should be unsealed and enjoyed. I won't even open a sealed record only worth $1. If that were the case, let's see them unseal a rare record and put it up for sale vs leaving it sealed and selling it. Let's see just how quick their opinion changes, but I guess they can do what they want with them, on the other hand, there's no need for them to scream it from the rooftops that you should open vintage sealed records. It's the worst advice they could give newbies because they might just be devaluing their collection.
Hi Frank, Here is my take on collecting. In addition to a very large DVD & Blu-Ray collection, I have a lot of music on CD's & records. I enjoy listening to my CD's right now. My record collection is for when I retire so I can relive the good ol' days before CD's came along when I was buying records. Most of my records were destroyed in a flood so when I buy records, I'm rebuilding my collection with what I had but with upgraded pressings. When I leave this world my family will go shopping through my collection. After they are done, my friends will go shopping. Whatever is left, My DVD/Blu-Ray collection will go to a senior retirement home. My records & CD's will go to a facility that takes care of handicapped individuals. My collection has a very bright future beyond me & I love that feeling! Bill (From Mt. Holly, NJ)
The senior retirement home and the facility that takes care of handicapped individuals couldn't care less about those collections, unless they have thrift stores where they can sell them.
@@agomodern When they get my donations, they will either enjoy them or sell them. Either way is OK by me because it helped them. My sister will know which retirement home & facility for the handicapped will benefit most.
With collecting, you have to get it into your head that you're doing it as a labor of love. Forget about selling or what's going to happen to your collection. Just enjoy it and get what you like. No doubt it's strictly a pass-time. Everything is! We're trying to fill our time with something that inspires us and takes us away from troubles for a moment. In my experience, buying is rush, but selling is the opposite. Unless you're in a situation where you have lots of potential buyer "traffic" and lots of time, you're going to basically have to give it away. I collect several things, but my dream with my records is to know a young beginner record collector who truly loves the hobby and give him my collection.
I bought both my daughters a record player and stereo set, I give them records regularly. I feel like I have them hooked and that’s where my collection will go when I’m gone. Currently have 3400 in my collection, I hope that’s not overwhelming.
Sell for retirement? Nah. One day I’ll die. My kids will put my albums out on the curb and sell my HiFi gear for $1500 for everything. Whatever I’ve bought I have bought for my enjoyment
Leave them for your kids to deal with. Great idea. If you are going to put them through that, then at least leave some type of information so that they can at minimum get some money out of it.
Collected since the 60s. These days I love digging in $1 used bin discs. Lots of crap, but sometimes I find treasures that mean something to me even if I can't sell it for more than a $1.
I'm 63 and I own "only" 300 vinyl LP's - and this is why (envy alert!!!!): From when I was 24 till I was 51 I worked at the the record library of Danish Radio Corporation (the biggest record collection in northern Europe). My job was to buy whatever albums I felt we needed in the collection and then separate and type in all the metadata from the covers into the database, ie. if a broadcaster needed Walk On The Wild Side for solo kazoo - he could make such a search. In this job I had the opportunity to be hooked on songs and albums, have it spinning on my office turntable sometimes for an entire week and sometimes in the end realising that it was fluff. Therefore I rarely bought any albums - I just brought them back home with me. WHEN I WAS FIRED due to layoffs I knew which albums I couldn't live without and so I bought what roughly amounts to the above 300 (adding to the few albums from my teens). So basically all albums in my collection are gems for me - some artists/bands represented I have complete, others just selectively. When I get too old to rock and roll I have decided to sell my collection to my local 2nd hand vinyl shop. With my knowledge we will settle somewhere betweeen a lowball and a fair price. I wish you all well out there!
Another great video Frank. Some really great pointers from viewers. I really resonated with what @crazyprayingmantis559 had to say. I don't seem to collect what most vinyl collectors do (e.g. Dylan, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Beatles, Stones, etc. etc.) as I prefer to buy funk, soul, R&B, disco, and pop. Because of that I sometimes kind of feel like an outsider in the VC. I really get tired of the VC going on and on about some heavy metal or rock singer or band and I start to think "don't people collect anything else beside that same old stuff". While I don't feel inferior to others because I'm not into what the mainstream collectors say you should collect, but it would be nice to hear the VC talk about some other genres to collect. Everyone likes what they like and its ok. I'd rather get excited over finding a Luther Vandross, Melba Moore or Stylistics album.
Tell me about it. All jazz collectors talk about is Blue Note while there is a lot of killer stuff on various labels of the time. (Fantasy, Verve, CTI, etc.) Let them keep buying albums at premium prices while we scoop up other labels while they're cheap before they get recognized and skyrocket in price. I have everything from classical to punk in my collection because I buy what I like. I pretty much have every genre in my collection other than ones (subgenera) created after the 1980's.
All great advice. Last year I sold about 400 of my albums -- ones I love -- and even though I probably could have made more money on the collection -- I was happy to get them to a record store knowing many people would enjoy finding them. Do I miss any of those albums? No! I still have many more I plan on selling, and have almost everything on CD or already transferred the LPs to CDR years ago. I enjoyed finding them, I enjoyed having them, I enjoyed listening to them, and now I enjoy getting them to new homes! When I'm done I will probably keep about 200 albums that mean something important to me -- but I doubt I'll miss the thousands I got rid of at all. And it's so nice not having all my shelves and boxes taking up space with records that haven't been looked at in decades!
A common sign of someone having an addiction is that they minimize their addiction by using phrases like "buying bug". I'll admit I have a record addiction because I have a wall of records too and I rarely listen to them at all, but I still keep buying them. The excuse I use is that I don't have my collection organized like it needs to be (one reason is because I don't organize as quickly as my buying habits, and I don't even buy records that often.) , and that's been going on for a couple of decades. I've been watching vinyl community videos for probably 5 years and I think it's safe to say people in the vinyl community are some of the biggest addiction deniers there are.
I started as a kid in 66 and the collecting market has become insane!! Things are declining here where I live..new vinyl has changed the game.. I remember 3/1$ LPs!! Love the music is the key!
Recently I was at a record store and saw someone brought in his entire records collection. there were 3 large storage bins filled with albums. Clerks at the store didn't know how to price those records and called the owner in. The owner comes in, digs through the entire collection and offers the owner $140, the owner tried to get more and the store owner increased the offer by $10. The entire collections of 500-600 LPs in great condition for $150. I felt so bad for the guy... This tells you that you will get close to nothing when you will be selling your collection.
@@RogerYng Store owner kept telling the collector that all his records were not original presses, but later reissues. Don't know if that was really the case or just an excuse to lower the price. I'd imagine that if you collect for a while you'd have a mix of original presses and later issues.
you are so correct on the principle of only buying stuff that you truly like. About a hundred years ago when i was in my teens, i would buy anything that was labelled "cool" with my peers, or music press. As i became older and maybe wiser, i realised that about 70% of my collection i couldnt stand. Now im in my sixties,i just buy what resonates with me, and screw it if its "uncool" music. i would now sooner have a collection of 30 or 40 items that i love , than an unwanted collection, taking up space and never played.
I am commenting as I watch the video, so that’s why I thought weird I despise Pink Floyd. The radio ruined it for me by playing with the same five songs, over and over and over again I cannot listen a Pink Floyd, ever again, especially Darkside of the moon. So I took the Pink Floyd albums that I had that includes dark side, the wall, wish you were here and I believe one more and I gave them to my friend Matt who is a huge Pink Floyd fan. And he didn’t have them on vinyl so it made him very happy. He turned around and looked them up and I guess they’re all first printing like 1979 or whatever years of those things came out and they’re worth like $300 apiece , he asked if I wanted money for them I said no take them and enjoy them, cuz I won’t. I’m about to give my Eric Clapton record the way to the guy at work whose birthday is coming up. He played guitar at my wedding last year and I still haven’t giving him anything and payment. He loves Eric Clapton so I think I’m gonna do that.
I absolutely agree with just buying what YOU like, not what some random person on the internet tells you to buy, haha. Something else that "they" don't tell you is that vinyl can contain exclusive tracks that were never released any other way. I enjoy lots of types of music, but I absolutely love Italian eurobeat. I have over 1,000 eurobeat 12" singles from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. My eurobeat collection has essentially become a reference library because hundreds of eurobeat records contain exclusive tracks, which makes it all the more special to listen to these songs and mixes on vinyl. Some of my records get more play than others, but I am a DJ as well. As I said, I enjoy lots of types of other music, but I mostly choose not to buy other genres (classic rock, techno, house, etc) because those are rabbit holes that I don't want to go down. Plus I am already maxed out on space for my eurobeat records and those are the records that I truly love the most. Focus on the music that you truly love!
Great video. This topic is so fitting for me at the moment. I just recently have had 3 separate bad experiences trying to sell some of my records to record stores. You see some of these store owners on RUclips saying there is no money in owning a store, they do it “because they just love music”, yeah, BS!!!!!! I purchased a very nice Monarch pressing of LZ II for $40 at this one store. About a month later I went back to the same store to try and sell it back to him as I was able to get an RL SS for my birthday. The store owner didn’t even want it. Said it wasn’t worth anything. WTH? A similar situation at another store. I have a great copy of a 1st US pressing of the debut album of Black Sabbath. This store only offered me $3 for it. That is easily a $30-$50 record. I don’t get it. I all for businesses making money, but They are just taking advantage of us collectors. I will also agree that selling them online, eBay, discogs, ect…. Is a total pain. So I am now at the point, that I don’t think I will be selling any of them anymore. It is not worth it. So like your one viewer said, buy only the records you really want and that you know you will enjoy for a long time to come.
Yep, exactly. You're much better off selling them yourself. Yeah, it can be a pain and it takes some work, but at least you're not ripping yourself off & will get the maximum amount of money.
Some good points, some funny, some spot on. Didn't see (yet) your "5 things" video, but as an old guy who's been at this for well over 50 years, I'll add that I always have to smile at the lengths to which some people go to "protect" their records. Yes, they should be protected. Yes, things like outer sleeves and inner sleeves *can* help protect them. But, the point here, your records are not the delicate little hothouse flowers many people think they are. If only more people could see what an LP actually goes through from being pressed, sleeved, jacketed, wrapped, and shipped, it'd probably be a real eye-opener. It also goes some distance in shedding light on why *some* LPs from *some* plants arrive looking like they've been handled at the beignet factory and kicked all the way to your house. So, open, handle, play, and listen to your LPs. It's what they're made for, and the tactile aspect of this thing of ours is wonderful. Anyway, a long time lurker, so I'll use this opportunity to say - a great vid, great channel, and keep up the great work.
I think age gives you a different perspective on collecting. When you are in your twenties you see this whole life in front of you to enjoy all this stuff you are accumulating. Once you hit your fifties and recognize how fast life is going you realize that you have books you will never finish and records that you will rarely, if ever, listen to. The Japanese actually have a word, tsundoku, for the practice of accumulating large numbers of books that you will never read. I think it would be cool to have a word like this for records.
I’ve talked about this many times on my channel about record store day, and how it operates basically on FOMO! I really hate that, and it really forces sales that really they didn’t earn! I totally agree with by only the artists and only the things that you really want and love! Moving is hell when you have lots of records just to have a lot of records sake! I have widowed my collection down to probably 1400 or so, and I can live with that! But all it takes is one move and it teaches you the lesson through both your head and your back! Great video, Frank
First LPs I loved were when I did not have any. Other's systems and LPs at college in early-mid 70s LOL. Those titles became my desert island discs essentially and I went on from there. Actually I want more media LP, CD and still buy some, but I have no more room and want to give away about 175 of the LPs. another story. My attention is taken up on PC watching RUclips, web, editing and organizing my photography. My attention span is lower, and is harder to relax in order to listen, too! I need a better apt. with less background noise (even with headphone use) and some more space, than this little NYC place to really be able to enjoy listening. That is a very big challenge for this retiree!
I have been buying vinyl since my first job in the 70s, my kids were brought up on the music & now all 3 are parents & my son is my clone & best friend going with me to record fairs, exchanging albums, BUT now his son wants a turntable to go with albums he has already purchased because he thinks vinyl & their sleeves are so cool, so now 3 generations are brought closer together by our passion for vinyl. I don't care for the price of my collection, it brought me a whole lot more by bonding us closer.
A great test is to take the same record some dude is selling at a record fair or shop, tell them you're selling, get ready for a LETDOWN and then ask WHY is he marking 100% on it at his store LOL. This starts a very nice conversation that teaches you a thing or two about the "value" of a collection. I own 47 copies of the same album, so i understand collectors!!! haha GREAT VIDEO MAN!
Someone they don't warn ya about is when you find that one album that is an import copy and you just end up buying it for the alternate label. I forget who it was, but it was a blue label Columbia pressing from Barbados or something like that. It doesn't even matter that its Ray Coniff & His Singers. Its a blue label Columbia record. And that's just another rabbit hole to fall in to. Kinda like why do people collect Herb Alpert's Whipped Cream and have the blue label, red label, both with and without the original back cover. Plus own the white and gold A&M labels. And where does it end? How about on London Records from the UK? Or that weird Taiwan version that's got a yellow cover instead of green. And next thing ya know you got the 8 track, the reel to reel, the cassette, the cd, the picture disc, the mirror, the breakfast cereal, the lunch box, and the flamethrower.
Excellent tips for record collecting Frank! They're all very true. I've been collecting them for years now and even at a modest 400 or so I have more than I'll ever listen to. And after losing my job recently I avoid record stores until I can find another job. Keep on spinning Frank 👍
You start gathering a collection. At some point it becomes a library and eventually you have an archive. Then you have a coming to Jesus moment when you're literally running out of room and you face the fact that you're a hoarder. You either embrace it or don't.
Hey Frank, this really got me to thinking. I’m kind of proud of myself, I’m 65 and according to Discogs I have 446 entries. I would say 400 of them are probably vinyl albums. I think I’ve done a good job of just keeping it to what I like what I will listen to and not just having to have everything…the fear of missing out if you will.
I definitely keep it to what I like. What I hate is when some of the music I like has always been pressed in low numbers, & there are people who think they have to have literally every pressing, color variant (if applicable) that exists...basically every version of an album. & for the rest of us, if those people will even part with a copy, it's so ridiculous it's not worth the price. & some people even buy as many copies of limited pressings just to turn around & resell them for 10x more. I'm seeing LPs that I just bought that are on Discogs for $50+ right now, & they're selling, because the buyers aren't aware you can still buy the LP for $12 from the label. I absolutely cannot stand people like that.
Fomo is for those who have no will power , I'm just after vinyl that appeals to me, not even full discographies of artists, coz even the best artists had duff albums. Just vinyl that I feel that I can play all the way through, no dark side, no wall, no weak tracks, all killer no filler!
I only get a full discography from a band/artist that I really like, which aren't many. I did buy an extra copy of an LP that the band reissued because the original was selling for over $100 at the time & they didn't like that. Now they're both going for $300+ easily. But I decided I don't need two copies, so I sold the reissue to a friend. I could have just posted it on Discogs for a couple hundred & sold it within a few hours at most, but I knew he'd truly appreciate having a copy. & he does...just recently he bought me a few LPs to thank me for it (3 or 4 years later lol) for letting him have it for basically what I paid for it.
Frank what can I say thank you for being so honest about this hobby!!! yes vinyl records are not worth what they were just six months ago people just aren't paying that much for vinyl anymore especially online I think the bubble has burst personally I've had enough I will be selling most of my collection hopefully at a fair and reasonable price 😔
I've been collecting vinyl for 8 years now and even though this is just a short time as compared to some people out there, I totally feel about not playing some albums enough. When I started collecting I have this idea in my head that I will listen to my collection every weekend, chilling out and so on. But as I grow older, as my collection grow bigger, as I become busier, that idea becomes something rare! Also now I really just buy albums that I -really really- love. Albums that I have an emotional/sentimental collection with. I realised as these 8 years went by, I buy less and less vinyl, especially during the pandemic days (was struggling financially hah). But yeah I learn to treasure my collection and truly buy records that I really really love. I love one of the comments below: Collecting vinyl is a labour of love! Great insights Frank!
Storage is definitely a concern when it comes to vinyl collecting. I’ve only been collecting for about two years now. My collection started out with just a couple of records, then I needed a milk crate sized record box, I now have a two shelf turntable Stand that is just about full. Digital certainly does not take up as much space but it’s not nearly as fun!
STORAGE: Some years back I went to a firm where I live which produces anything in acrylic. I ordered 30 clear, thick walled acrylic boxes each measured to room 10 albums. The top sides all have a round hole for my forefinger so that I can pull the particular box out of my shelf and slide out the album I want to play. These boxes make sure that my albums are sitting straight on my shelf and when moving to a new locations my record collection is easily stacked (box on box) without fearing ring wear.
This applies to all sorts of collectibles. There has to be someone who is willing to pay what you are charging. I always price stuff to sell quickly on EBay and that means selling for about half what things are supposedly worth.
I actually had the opposite of your 'Grail' story. When I first started re-collecting, I wished I could find some early U2 albums, specifically Unforgettable Fire. Well, I found it in a rummage store, along with a copy of Genesis:Trick of the Tail. I figured I'd listen to U2 for hundreds of plays and once in a while I'd listen to Genesis. Instead, after 10 yrs from then till now, I've listened to Genesis hundreds of times while U2 sits on my shelf for nine months at a time, and I often play one side only, usually the opposite of the one I heard the last time. I guess tastes change from when you're a teenager, sometimes more than you realize.😀
I collect records because I like owning physical things of the things I love, also because it makes me appreciate every second of every song, and also because of the investment
I find it best to limit purchases by putting a maximum monthly allowance towards it. $50 (USD) per month (or however much you can personally & safely afford to budget) is a good number, and whatever I don't spend in the month will roll over into the next month and be added on top of that month's $50. If I know a big ticket purchase is coming up in the next few months I will save all $50 each month leading up to it until I have enough to cover it. Also, by limiting the number of new records I buy it forces me to revisit and enjoy listening (and relistening) to the older ones that I have neglected. This makes you more picky about the records you buy, and more appreciative of each one. Another great thing is that your wife knows exactly how much is budgeted each month, so when a package arrives there is absolutely no arguments about anything...a win/win for all.
As a cassette collector, there are 5 dopamine hits I get when hunting and collecting. One: Finding it. Two: Buying it. (This is because when online, there's that period between the two, when you might be trying to make an offer or check out the other listings to save shipping.) Three: Them sending it with a tracking number (you know nothing went wrong on there end, which is rare but awful) Four: The tape arriving. It didn't get lost in the mail, or sent back if the seller foolishly added for it to be signed for and the tracking was no good. Five: Listening to it, and having it play perfect and enjoyable.
@2:49 -- Of course you lose interest in that special album that you worked so hard to acquire. That goes with just about everything. The person that purchased a new Corvette is thrilled to the moon when they drive it home from the dealership. And they are still pleased to own it 6 months later, or 2 years later. But nothing will surpass the day they drove it home. The same goes for a new clothing outfit, or a new watch, or a new computer, or a new pre-amp, or collectible coin or comic-book, or a anything that was a thrill at the time of the purchase. We keep purchasing, because that is the moment of the height of our joy. Even that new joke, that had your drink coming out of your nose, becomes a distant memory. @9:19 -- The reason you will not sell your records when you retire is because you are still you. Why would you one day decide that you no longer want to have a record collection? Also, selling your collection at some ripe old age is you acknowledging that the end is near. I doubt you would do that. Imagine being old, and selling your collection. You would feel empty inside, and you would feel like you just put one foot into your grave. When a young person thinks about getting old, they might have trouble thinking about that old person as themselves. They imagine themselves as some other person doing things that old people supposedly do. If you woke up, tomorrow, and you were old, you would not suddenly stop being you. You would not sell your record collection now, and therefore would not sell your record collection then. Your record collection is one of your accomplishments. People are reluctant to walk away from their accomplishments.
To go along with 'cutting the fat.' Sometimes it actually feels really good to let some items go - you might get a little extra cash, some more space, and get a bit of a better idea of what kinds of items are more likely to stay in your collection.
Work at home means a NEED for LP records for the turntable right behind me. NO Surprise that there are albums that play through so well, and allow you to stay focussed on productive work.
I purchased most of the nearly 600 vinyl LPs in my collection in the 1970's/1980's, before switching to compact discs mainly. The actual records haven't been played often. After originally buying them, I usually made a cassette copy, and stored the album on a shelf. As a result, most of the albums I bought are still in "like new" condition. I repurchased several on CD when they were reissued. I'm now in the process of digitizing the vinyl in my collection which has never had a CD reissue (yes, I bought a lot of "obscure" stuff). Still have every record I ever bought. As for their "value", I've looked up the obscure ones on Discogs, and they seem to be going for between $2.00 - $10.00 each. Definitely wouldn't get "rich" if I ever decided to sell the collection!
You have done exactly what I did, but I have slightly more records, about 1000. I will record them to mp3 someday. A lot of mine still have the shrink wrap on them with the original price tag and stickers so I still know where I bought them.
@@ronbeck201 The first album I bought with my allowance in 1974 still has the shrink rap and price sticker. "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden". Bought at the now defunct "T.G. & Y." store for $5.98. That is one I now also have a CD reissue of. It'll be easy to make MP3's of the CD versions of old albums I bought, but the more obscure albums will require real-time playing and a little sound processing in Sound Forge. 🙂
I think it’s important to actively “flip” albums, on top of collecting for yourself. To not hoard and to keep a balance of business and pleasure while it’s all in the wheel house of what you love. Do what you love right
Intresting video Frank and Your ronly buying the music you like is the best advice I've gotten back into buying and laying cds after 3 years of collecting vinyl
Just wanted to comment on your remark about wether DSOTM is the greatest Floyd album or not… I agree… it’s not… personally I think it’s Animals………………… ding ding round one is underway : )
I have several crates of LPs, CDs, DVDs, Cassettes, 45s, 78s, and even a few 8-tracks. I shudder at the new prices, since I collected most of mine from resale shops. My base collection was from mail order back in the 70s. I checked with a local store and he only wanted the ‘famous’ ones. I’ll probably donate to Goodwill 😢. Great advice from your gang. Examine your motivations.
My biggest fear is what will happen when i will die. Each collection is absolutely so personal that you will never find someone who has the exact music taste as you, neither family or friend cause our collection is like our fingerprint. Unique. I own aprox. 1700 Vinyl/Cds and it is true that almost half of them have not be played for years. Trim the fat is a good solution but when its the time to decide you just cant let go. Its a bless and curse at the same time. I think i might need to make a big decision to choose 300-400 to sell/trade in order to get 50-60 that i will enjoy and listen. Greeting from Greece your videos are always spot on.
If leaving records behind for family members to have to deal with, it would be a good idea to leave some type of instructions behind so they can get the most money for their troubles. My family can't look at an album cover and know exactly by who it is, what's the name of the album, what genre it is and what it might be worth, (like I can. I can see the spine and know what an album is.) so leaving that kind of information is crucial. (Even thinking about it kind of gets me excited to better organize my collection.) The topic would make a great video.
Two things mentioned that I feel are worth repeating is, 1. Collect what you like, not what others say you need. And avoid the “Top 10 Albums You Must Have” videos. Collecting is fun. Don’t lose that! 2. There’s no hurry to build your collection. This goes back to keeping the hubby fun. If you’re not collecting for the fun of it, then it’s a job. Keep it fun.
Absolutely agree with this. Music is subjective and a very personal experience while listening. Don't ever let people tell you what you should like and be playing. I was always somewhat horrified to see what professional stereo component reviewers were listening to when they tested equipment. I often wondered if deep down, they even liked that stuff.
I agree with every point. I have done the mental calculation while justifying a purchase thinking I could sell this record later for more,,,, but that will probably never happen.
I've always used tape to back up my records. The idea is that you record once on tape and play it as much as you want to save the wear on your records. Not really an arguable point, but on the other hand, I haven't been as loyal to that process as I should have been over the decades. Only now that I'm older am I taking the time to record a lot of albums. But having a CD recorder has helped that a lot. Ultimately I like the way tape sounds over the CD player....but that's just the preamps/opamps in my tape machines generating pleasing coloration, distortion and harmonics. The thing about digitizing the records is that it makes an exact copy of the album. I can just go with that or commit to tape later, my choice. While it's fun to prep a record and get it ready to record, I'm not OCD enough I enjoy that every time I play a record like a lot of you guys. However, the downside to making a CD or tape is that you've essentially doubled your storage problems. So.... I try to record stuff that I seem to be repeat playing with some frequency. If I have an album I haven't listened to in a decade, it makes no sense to record it because I won't be wearing that record out.
I have a couple of mates who have gotten into vinyl because of my set up. Both of them bought stacks of albums from their youth (we all have phases), and what they consider essentials (The Beatles, Floyd etc). I warned them against it, told them they’ll never get listened to and just take up space. They have both since realised they’ve wasted a lot of money on what are now essentially art pieces they’ll never display. In saying that, FOMO doesn’t mess around. I’ve bought stuff that doesn’t get listened to for that very reason.
I also want to say I saw you on one of Steve Westman's roundtable discussions and you inspired me to buy Dire Straits' 45rpm from Abbey Road. Absolutely incredible. Thank you!!
I have a knack for buying the debut albums of bands or artists that end up becoming huge, and thus the value of those first (and sometimes only) pressings skyrocket in price. Its actually more of a smart investment to discover new amazing bands, assess their potential, and buy their obscure release.
Well as someone who just hit 50 I don't smoke..don't drink...not into cars or sports. We all have an addiction. The way I see this is an addiction to art. To me vinyl is the canvas and the actual sound is pressed in it and slipped in a painting called the jacket. My kids like it so one day it will be theirs.
I disagree with the comment about acquiring albums as an empty experience. Maybe its that I don't tend to forget what I have added to my collection, especially if the search for it was difficult or time consuming. Any of the harder to acquire albums are even more solidified in my memory, and makes it even more fulfilling to know that I managed to add it to my collection. But, even the common and mundane albums in my collection have memories associated with them. Collecting anything is more than just simply owning a bunch of stuff. Just like most things in life... most of the enjoyment comes from the journey, not the destination.
YAY - the truth. Everything is only worth what it is worth to the individual or what you can sell it for. It has been a bit of an easily digested con. Paul McCartney put out something around 12 vinyl editions of his album McCartney 3 and the rampant fans bought it all up sending a good but not great album to the number one spot. I don't begrudge fans wanting to purchase whatever they like but I am unable to comprehend the phenomenal amount they are prepared to spend on multiple copies. Now cassettes are a small trend. That won't last long as really who can be bothered using sticky tape to fix the actual tape or try and fix loops with a pencil. I like this channel. Wise words without arrogance.
Geez... By watching your video, I realized that I'm totally and utterly up the wrong alley, in the terms of hobbies. Yes, I realize that it wasn't intentional and that your video was posted for different reasons, in order to help people but it certainly opened up my eyes ... this is merely my own experience. For years, I wanted a good sounding audio gear with Technics SL1200 for occasional use (when nostalgia strikes) since I always found it to be beautiful, in terms of traditional turntables. But in reality, what I needed was a low budget system that would and could play some of my favorite LP albums and cassette tapes. Alas, I couldn't stretch the budget for 1200 so I picked up brand new Audio Technica AT-LP140XP instead, but I did grab a very nice, semi-vintage Pioneer component system instead. Now, for some reason, I kept investing more and more into it, especially LP140 and the carts, hoping that one day, someday I would build up larger music collection like yours. Which was probably my second biggest mistake ... as the prices went up and my budget got flat broke. Leaving me with very nice set of pricy components, which are mostly just gathering dust and reminding me of a failed idea, project. And that is of course a big issue right there, kinda makes me wonder what to do with it. Obviously, I could try to sell the whole thing and hope to retrieve some of my money. But as you probably know that is not always (if ever?) the case and I'm never going to get my investment back. Thus I better just keep the damn thing and use it once or twice every couple of months. People often buy cheap, but eventually end up getting and wanting expensive. Where in my case, I've managed to prove that the stupidity and/or ignorance goes both ways, and even when you actually KNOW what you want ... or at least think that you do.
My audio system is not connected. But I still buy records. Why? Because I can! I like the hunt; I have found records that I never thought I would find.
A wise man once said to me about collectibles: "A record, a comic book... all of them are worth precisely what an individual is willing to pay for them. You can say that something is worth a particular amount but, if no one's buying it, then it really doesn't matter." As far as the size of collections go, I've been a music geek since I was a kid, I've worked in the music industry as a critic for about twenty years -- so my music collection is of a fair size, but I can guarantee that it's nowhere near as large as you might think. I have a regular practice of culling my collection, and the rule (there's only one) is simple: "Did I listen to this record within the last twelve months?" If the answer is no, It goes to a "new and used" record store - everything else gets a reprieve. When I leave the business, I might have to re-think this practice, but it has served me well, to date. The last time I moved was six years ago when I divorced -- and I think it took me less than a week to move (might have taken even less time than that, were I not disabled). FINALLY, I can definitely say that, because I'm the family audiophile (I've been bequeathed record collections), I can say that while I appreciate the stuff I'm given, I do not need most of the Pink Floyd that I've received. One of the happiest days of my life was when I finally got rid of the last Pink Floyd albums that I suspect will ever be in my record collection.
Truly one of your best videos as i think about all these things constantly while struggling with my wants in collecting music !! Frank you are excellent!!
Pausing @ 5:15 to type this: I recently had a conversation with a couple of coworkers about turntables, and there was one point where I even commented out loud "I had to switch gears in brain to not be a vinyl snob for a moment" when the discussion of new model turntable prices came up. One of my coworkers paid roughly $200 CAD for a new turntable, and she says it actually sounds pretty good. Taking her word at face value, I was immediately reminded of this one video from the RUclips channel Techmoan where it seems as though someone figured out how to make a good-sounding turntable on the cheap. Not necessarily a *great* turntable, but she said it was good enough to sound better than a Crosley
So true with regards to price. Discogs like eBay is what people actually pay vs what they ideally cost. I prefer the local store anyway - yeah they dont pay Discogs 'prices' but it's decent, quick and a better rate if you trade in for more records. I don't agree with the emptiness of collecting though- I don't keep records I don't like or bad pressings. I love randomly choosing records from my collection too and kicking back. I love the process too and the routine. If you feel empty after buying records maybe that says something more about you'd your life? Maybe go fulfil it elsewhere? Don't buy on credit though- that's my advice for this hobby.
I used to make A LOT of money selling records on Amazon...it took a lot of time and effort...but it was a fun money making machine! When Amazon forced me to accept returns for any reason, and the IRS came a calling, I quit. But there is value in your records and you'd be surprised at what people are willing to pay, but it is harder now.
I myself have recently downsized my collection considerably and kept the artist that I know I will listen to on a regular basis. With that said It was an arduous process and It has been even harder to try not to purchase some new titles or at least second guessing when I see a new title I want. A vicious cycle.
great vid! i think intelligence ltd nailed the best.... and theres nothing negative about his comment at all... its just facts. Ive no doubt the act of serious collecting is a deeply rooted psychological crutch or filler for something that is missing in ones life. Im sure if most heavy collectors sat with this and really thought about what drives their hobby / habit they would inevitably reach the same conclusion. Now thats not to say one cant derive pleasure from it... but i think it becomes less about the music the deeper you go down the collecting rabbit hole. It becomes all about the hunt. The momentary dopamine hits of filling a gap in the collection or finding a grail become the reason. At least I came to that conclusion about my own habits several years ago. I found once I got comfortable with selling as much as I bought and really started to curate my collection (never letting it go over an amount that ,to me, was more manageable) I fell back in love with listening again and felt waaaaay more at ease with my hobby instead of it being a bit of a burden. Just my perspective ✌
There used to be a man in Memphis, Tennessee who ran a huge record shop (stacks and stacks, more than should be in the space allowed. To the point the vinyl was being damaged.) He had his little record price book. He pulled that thing out every single time. He would charge book price, every single time, with very few exceptions. He sold me a copy of The White Album for $10 ONLY because the cover was covered in mold. The wax was fine, but the cover was wrecked to the point that it became the GREEN album. The shop is closed now. The bad neighborhood finally encroched it and he was, sadly, murdered in his own shop.
I am getting to a point where I have more music that I can realistically listen to all of it. I cycle through bands but my new purchases are slowing down. I started collected LPs at a good time before everything got priced out of what I was willing to pay. I never buy something I will not listen to and almost never buy re-issue vinyl. Since I got to almost 1000 LPs I have gone back to CDs filling in lost items from the past and other ones I never got when I was younger. Now its time to sit back and enjoy them!
Cheers, Frank! Another fine video. I've found a few rare records at yard and car boot sales - but my first thought is never 'I wonder what I could get for that?' It used to be, when I was younger, but now it's usually: 'I need that for my collection', or: 'Is it in better condition than the one I already own?' I have a couple of Kasabian 10" records, which were, some time ago, going for stupid money on Discogs. But I like them, and don't want to get rid of them. It doesn't matter to me.
Great comments in the video. With a large collection, I often can't choose (like a restaurant menu with too many choices): I recently discovered that the discogs phone app will randomly select an album from your collection if you shake the phone (this includes filters if you've applied them) so I get reminded to play great music I wouldn't normally think of.
My wife and I went to the lawyer's a couple of years ago and have a will. My two best friends and I travel, check out records stores and never miss a Record Store Day. When I die my friends get to go through my albums and pick what they want first. Then my niece will get to pick. My two friends know they are responsible for taking care of what is left; to sell or keep, knowing that my wife will get any money that might be made. It's good to have friends like that who also collect vinyl and will make sure the Mrs. will reap the benefits. I'm sure you've seen the cartoon on Facebook, "I want to be buried with all of my records. That will be my 'vinyl' resting place!"
I am so glad I hung on to 1983 T40 turntable and all the vinyl I collected in the 1980s have all the ones I love in perfect shape never sell the collection
It's sad, many people purchase albums just to get "likes" on social media, and it becomes a game of having something many people don't own. There's no winning unless you are collecting for yourself! Great video here.
I decided to just focus on quality and bucket-list records going forward. Yes, I'll buy the odd new re-release, or repress, such as some Blue Note, AP, Mofi, etc. But I know what I like and I feel I can just focus on the quality at this point. I think the best way to get rid of a collection is to sell as a 'living estate collection' to people who have 1. knowledge and 2. reach. Like a Mike Esposito, etc.
So first of all, for this video I was the 666th "like"...and so I definitely had my Iron Maiden phase in high school in the 80s and The Number of the Beast, Powerslave, Live After Death and Somewhere In Time (saw this tour) was MY era...so yeah, I just HAD to comment. This was a very philosophical video and I think a lot of the comments reflect a lot of what collectors go through and ask themselves as the hobby intensifies. I really resonated with the comment from "intelligencelimited2708" about a certain spiritual emptiness, and yet I love my records; this music I own. Some of my best listening experiences have been from long vinyl listening sessions. I've been daunted and trying to get organized for at least a pair-down purge this autumn. While I do find the Pareto Principle applies here: I tend to listen to about 20% of my collection the most...there must be a law (similar to ex: Parkinson's Law) but one specific to this fact: *the bigger your vinyl collection grows, the less time you have to enjoy each individual record*. Without getting to the bigger spiritual emptiness, I think the smaller spiritual ache starts with that fact and the pressure to enjoy them all...an impossible task if you have a full and balanced life. So yeah, slow down people, buy only the music you like, beware of FOMO, live within your means, keep the addiction in check, and remember to enjoy the records you already own!
Don't sell your collection - no matter what happens to us when retired we can always play some great music. For free!!! And when we pass away our collections WILL find new owners. We are just custodians enjoying the stuff while we are here!
I agree with a bunch of these. I buy what I like. I don’t own a single Beatles record, no Fleetwood Mac or Pink Floyd. Don’t have any “ must own “ records ( that Gatekeepers say you must have ) other than ones I think I must have. Buy what you want to buy. I have Polka music to Rap and everything in between. Not trying to impress anyone, I just love music, any music, on vinyl. It’s MY thing.
@davidc8857
This comment is 1000 % all that matters- totally agree….
I have a load of Beatles, Fleetwood mac and especially pink Floyd. So what. Floyd is one of my favorite bands. Not having great music due to gatekeeper pressure is sad. You love any music? Kamala Harris word salad, but I agree: 'screw the gatekeepers'. They are pompous twats. I also don't collect lp's, except absorb an occasional old collection. I bought mine mostly following the bands, mostly for the music. Lol! buy a 'must own' unheard? That's a double fail haha. Try buying for the music instead of your ego.
I like the Beatles, but I only have very scratched, American first edition of Revolver 🙂
@@emeza2331
I know you were but you did a half-ass job on it
And I know I deleted em 🤷
@@jjrusy7438….I think it is sad that YOU think that YOUR music is great just because they are giant popular bands. I feel sorry for you just following the rest of the sheep. YOU like what YOU like and I will continue liking what I like. Keep posting negative comments keyboard cowboy and keep boosting your ego that YOUR collection is the best because you have records by all the popular bands. So sad.
Records have become completely commodified and expensive, I'm glad I was able to enjoy the pre internet era of crate digging and thrift store picking from the mid 80's through the 90's. Buying dollar records and discovering incredible music made the whole thing a great hobby and experience.
Back then you could find used records for a dollar each. That was the time to collect.
Yeah these days I pick up just one or two records each time I shop at a brick and mortar. I do love the reissues boom though. Saw a bunch of brand new Charlie Brown / Peanuts vinyl the other day.
Still do. There's a Goodwill in my area that has a vinyl section. I discover new music this way all the time. It's fun to dig' around and pull something up from the stack that's ancient but cool. I relish the fact that they are original pressings from the era in which they were produced even tho they might not be in the best condition. I'll take these tattered ones over re-issues any day of the week, especially as a first-time listener of said band or artist. It adds to the mystique.
@@drewlsy Let those people think that the good ol' days of finding $1 records is over, that leaves more for us. I don't buy tattered records, but I do find some great stuff out thrifting and buying some small collections when I come across them. Paid $40 for 2 large totes (One tote was split open and most of the records were trashed.) and was able to save a 1st UK press of Sergeant Pepper's out of mostly water damaged covers. There were some real gems in there, and that was about 3 or 4 months ago.
@@agomodern Satisfying isn't it? That's the whole point of it all really; the excavation process, the digging literally as if on expedition then encountering the imperfections resulting from the annals of weathered time reflected back at you as you hold the gem in hand. Btw, when I mention tattered, it's not to say that they ARE RUINED, rather just not Mint or Very Good. If I really dig the artist (pun intended) then I will also buy a second copy, perhaps even a re-issue if available or a better conditioned one.
I enjoy my entire music collection along with the memorabilia I have acquired over the years. I still enjoy collecting and every time I think of my collection, it puts a smile from ear to ear on my face. That alone is worth my hobby of collecting music.
Couldn't agree more. You beat me to it... lol. Collecting music is not just about CDs and Vinyl etc. If you wish it can expand to books, autographs and instruments etc. My most prized possession is a Taylor acoustic guitar signed by Taylor Swift. I was there when she signed it for me, we chatted for ages.
I've heard many a smoker say they smoke because they enjoy it. lol. Ah yes, a smoking addiction fueled by the love of smoking.
@@kurjan1 Agree with you 100% and what a prized possession that guitar signed by Taylor Swift. May it bring you name years of smiles as well as the rest of your collection.
Here Here ... Yes,now that's a true story!
Lemmy said the chase is better than the catch. I get that about record collecting. It's amazing how quickly the aura and mystique of that grail you always coveted falls away once you own it. Hope you and family good Frank.
Great comment. I have felt that many times. Get a great deal or find something you've been looking for for a while and you feel awesome! A month later you have almost forgotten about that LP and looking for the nest one.
Hi Frank. I have a very large collection of vinyl, which i started collecting in 1963. Thank goodness I started then with prices the way they are now. Some are quite valuable now and I will pass them on to my son who enjoys vinyl as much as I do. Do i listen to them all? At one time or another, yes. I love to revisit albums I haven't played for awhile. Apart from enjoying the music I get a sense of nostalgia from forgotten memories of people I knew and events in my life at the time I bought them. Want to go back in time? Pull out an old album from your past and listen to it. The youth of today have not lived long enough to experience this, but if the music means as much to them as it does to someone like me, they will.
I graduated in 2003 from high school and even while in high school I always knew that The Beatles "In My Life" would be the song I'd use to reflect in the future.
Adjusted for inflation $30 now was $3 and change in ‘63… how much were you paying for LPs in ‘63? I saw a Quora answer that claimed they were abt $3.30 in 1963, so I’m wondering if the price is really worse now
@anthonysmith3850 As I recall they were between 2 & 4 dollars. I suppose it's a matter of perception with today's prices isn't it...
@@anthonysmith3850 LPs were $2.99 + tax for mono and $1 more for stereo. I usually bought mono. 45s were $1.00 plus tax. I couldn't afford albums until I started working in the mid-60s, nor could I pay $1 for 45s. However, Owl Rexall drug stores sold 45s for 50 cents. You had to go regularly and dig through the dreck to find the occasional hit. That's how I built my collection to over 300.
From one old man to another you couldn't have put it better, I started mid 70s on vinyl at 16, now I go to record fairs with my son & grandson who turned 16 this week & is saving up for his first turntable although he already has his first vinyl albums to play on his Dad's turntable. My son says its down to me as he loved it when I let them choose the vinyl album to play on our family nights in.
Unfortunately I don’t buy records like i used to. Mainly because prices are ridiculous. $29.99 for a new release!? $50 just to order one album plus shipping from over seas. 😂 and now you can’t find anything good in used stores anymore. Its dead and over priced.
thats nothing. i bought a vinyl 200$ and i see some sold for alot money. there are harder vinyl to find like for games or something else and it does take value. you can also find cheap new vinyl for around 10 dollars and used vinyl for a buck .
I inherited my records from my parents and they are all first pressings. That’s the value for me, but according to Discogs I’m a kazillionaire. I will never sell them ❤
I had a great friend of mine who passed away a few years ago, and I inherited his stereo equipment, and his album and cd collection. The cd collection was large due to the fact he work in a record store. The first thing I did was to go through the collection and keep only what I liked and gave away the rest to other friends who knew him. As I go along I purge even more that I probably won't even listen to. Even his equipment. Some of it just doesn't work for me, so I will try and pass it down to people who knew him and would like something to remember him.
A few years and you say "I will try and pass it down...." What is taking you so long?
When I sell any record to local shop I expect to get 1/2 of Discogs medium $. I think that’s doable. But I really don’t care what they are worth. The pleasure I get from spinning my records is priceless.
I am old but u sound older, I started vinyl mid 70s, we had my 3 kids choosing the music albums as they grew up they danced to, now have kids of their own doing the same to my grand kids, today I go round my sons & my grandson 16 came in with 2 vinyl albums, his first ones & he is saving for his first turntable. It's made me feel so good.
I have a vast array of records I have collected over the years, and I love the sound, look and feel of the records. I invested alot in my equipment, and I feel proud of my collection like the first day I bought them.
Good for you.👍
Why would anyone say you’re going to sell your records for retirement???? Buy real estate, invest in a 401K, don’t buy records for retirement unless you are going to enjoy it as a hobby.
And of course retirement is when you get to enjoy the music the most.
30 years ago people said the same thing about beanie babies...how'd that work out?
Agreed. Nobody should buy any kind of collectible unless owning it is going to give them pleasure. If the resale value overtakes the value of the pleasure it brings then it might be time to sell it. However, I have lost count of the stuff I have sold only to buy it again years later.
Hey Frank! Great video! For all of the "Star Trek" fans out there; There is an episode of the original series called "Amok Time', there is a comment he makes to his ex-wife; I can't remember the exact quote but, the sentiment is about right ;" Having a thing is not quite as sweet as wanting a thing". Kind of appropriate for this video.
“After a time, you may find that ‘having’ is not so pleasing a thing after all as ‘wanting.’ It is not logical, but it is often true.”
For me records are my collection of music I don't want to forget about. It's far too easy to have something fall off my radar when only streaming it. Even if I don't listen to some records as often as others I won't forget about those albums. They will be there to remind me of something I do enjoy.
Well said!
So very true. Moving vinyl is one thing, moving over 1000 78’s is another. Did it without one being damaged. I used plastic containers, old towels, bubble wrap, brought a bag of old tee-shirts to pack them in the containers. It made the ride in my pickup as easy as I possibly could. They were in the “Decca” jackets (Albums) which helped tremendously. It was quite a job. Took two trips to complete the job.
On the flipside, I've listed some CDs up on my eBay store that I didn't think would sell and they ended up selling quicker than the ones I thought would. You just never know with people and someone, somewhere is always looking for something.
- Red
Right on. I have listings that have been up since last year at least, & I've had more than a few sell within 30 minutes or less after posting.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Well, the ones that sold so quick were pressed in very limited numbers & are highly sought after. & I'd list below the average selling price to help build my reputation as a seller.
That being said, if I can make a few buck & someone gets a record they really want, it's a win/win. I'm not one of those people who thinks I have to have every variant of an album (I actually can't stand people like that.)
Great vid!! One thing I'll add. I think it becomes very easy for people to loose site on the "collecting" side of vinyl that some have that you may NOT because of the music element. In other words I so often hear people talking about how often you do or don't listen to an album being the determining factor in having it....YET I have NEVER heard of someone going up to someone who collects baseball memorabilia and saying "Why do you have 45 bats hanging on wall and 90 baseballs in little cube boxes? If you are not going to play baseball with them it's waste. NO, we UNDERSTAND the collecting nature of that. For some reason many folks don't seem to see that along with enjoying the music SOME people ALSO have an element of being that baseball bat collector in their vinyl/music world. So there is GREAT ENJOYMENT and pleasure from owning a bat you may never use? ...same with a record that some may not spin very often at all. When it comes to collecting ANYTHING its truly about what brings pleasure to you and "using" what you collect is a very subjective thing.
One of my big beefs is that people in the vinyl community rag on people that buy to collect vs buy to listen. I too have many records I never ever listen to and it's fine because it's my collection and I am free to choose what I do or do not do with my collection. I really love those that say records are to listen to so vintage records should be unsealed and enjoyed. I won't even open a sealed record only worth $1. If that were the case, let's see them unseal a rare record and put it up for sale vs leaving it sealed and selling it. Let's see just how quick their opinion changes, but I guess they can do what they want with them, on the other hand, there's no need for them to scream it from the rooftops that you should open vintage sealed records. It's the worst advice they could give newbies because they might just be devaluing their collection.
Very insightful , I think all us old dudes are trying to chase the happiness we had in the 80s. How great the 70s 80s music was.
Hi Frank,
Here is my take on collecting. In addition to a very large DVD & Blu-Ray collection, I have a lot of music on CD's & records. I enjoy listening to my CD's right now. My record collection is for when I retire so I can relive the good ol' days before CD's came along when I was buying records. Most of my records were destroyed in a flood so when I buy records, I'm rebuilding my collection with what I had but with upgraded pressings. When I leave this world my family will go shopping through my collection. After they are done, my friends will go shopping. Whatever is left, My DVD/Blu-Ray collection will go to a senior retirement home. My records & CD's will go to a facility that takes care of handicapped individuals. My collection has a very bright future beyond me & I love that feeling! Bill (From Mt. Holly, NJ)
The senior retirement home and the facility that takes care of handicapped individuals couldn't care less about those collections, unless they have thrift stores where they can sell them.
@@agomodern When they get my donations, they will either enjoy them or sell them. Either way is OK by me because it helped them. My sister will know which retirement home & facility for the handicapped will benefit most.
@@BILLONEE Wasn't sure you were donating them for them to watch or to sell. lol.
With collecting, you have to get it into your head that you're doing it as a labor of love. Forget about selling or what's going to happen to your collection. Just enjoy it and get what you like. No doubt it's strictly a pass-time. Everything is! We're trying to fill our time with something that inspires us and takes us away from troubles for a moment. In my experience, buying is rush, but selling is the opposite. Unless you're in a situation where you have lots of potential buyer "traffic" and lots of time, you're going to basically have to give it away. I collect several things, but my dream with my records is to know a young beginner record collector who truly loves the hobby and give him my collection.
I bought both my daughters a record player and stereo set, I give them records regularly. I feel like I have them hooked and that’s where my collection will go when I’m gone. Currently have 3400 in my collection, I hope that’s not overwhelming.
Sell for retirement? Nah. One day I’ll die. My kids will put my albums out on the curb and sell my HiFi gear for $1500 for everything. Whatever I’ve bought I have bought for my enjoyment
Yeah, that's just silly.. Retirement is when you'll have time to actually sit down and enjoy your collection! 😅
Leave them for your kids to deal with. Great idea. If you are going to put them through that, then at least leave some type of information so that they can at minimum get some money out of it.
Collected since the 60s. These days I love digging in $1 used bin discs. Lots of crap, but sometimes I find treasures that mean something to me even if I can't sell it for more than a $1.
Frank, you did a great job choosing these comments, they were all excellent and I think any record collector can relate to them.
Frank, you’re spot on. My collection only has value to me, classic rock for nostalgia, jazz and blues to explore.
I'm 63 and I own "only" 300 vinyl LP's - and this is why (envy alert!!!!): From when I was 24 till I was 51 I worked at the the record library of Danish Radio Corporation (the biggest record collection in northern Europe). My job was to buy whatever albums I felt we needed in the collection and then separate and type in all the metadata from the covers into the database, ie. if a broadcaster needed Walk On The Wild Side for solo kazoo - he could make such a search.
In this job I had the opportunity to be hooked on songs and albums, have it spinning on my office turntable sometimes for an entire week and sometimes in the end realising that it was fluff. Therefore I rarely bought any albums - I just brought them back home with me. WHEN I WAS FIRED due to layoffs I knew which albums I couldn't live without and so I bought what roughly amounts to the above 300 (adding to the few albums from my teens).
So basically all albums in my collection are gems for me - some artists/bands represented I have complete, others just selectively. When I get too old to rock and roll I have decided to sell my collection to my local 2nd hand vinyl shop. With my knowledge we will settle somewhere betweeen a lowball and a fair price. I wish you all well out there!
Another great video Frank. Some really great pointers from viewers. I really resonated with what @crazyprayingmantis559 had to say. I don't seem to collect what most vinyl collectors do (e.g. Dylan, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Beatles, Stones, etc. etc.) as I prefer to buy funk, soul, R&B, disco, and pop. Because of that I sometimes kind of feel like an outsider in the VC. I really get tired of the VC going on and on about some heavy metal or rock singer or band and I start to think "don't people collect anything else beside that same old stuff". While I don't feel inferior to others because I'm not into what the mainstream collectors say you should collect, but it would be nice to hear the VC talk about some other genres to collect. Everyone likes what they like and its ok. I'd rather get excited over finding a Luther Vandross, Melba Moore or Stylistics album.
Tell me about it. All jazz collectors talk about is Blue Note while there is a lot of killer stuff on various labels of the time. (Fantasy, Verve, CTI, etc.) Let them keep buying albums at premium prices while we scoop up other labels while they're cheap before they get recognized and skyrocket in price. I have everything from classical to punk in my collection because I buy what I like. I pretty much have every genre in my collection other than ones (subgenera) created after the 1980's.
All great advice. Last year I sold about 400 of my albums -- ones I love -- and even though I probably could have made more money on the collection -- I was happy to get them to a record store knowing many people would enjoy finding them. Do I miss any of those albums? No! I still have many more I plan on selling, and have almost everything on CD or already transferred the LPs to CDR years ago. I enjoyed finding them, I enjoyed having them, I enjoyed listening to them, and now I enjoy getting them to new homes! When I'm done I will probably keep about 200 albums that mean something important to me -- but I doubt I'll miss the thousands I got rid of at all. And it's so nice not having all my shelves and boxes taking up space with records that haven't been looked at in decades!
A common sign of someone having an addiction is that they minimize their addiction by using phrases like "buying bug". I'll admit I have a record addiction because I have a wall of records too and I rarely listen to them at all, but I still keep buying them. The excuse I use is that I don't have my collection organized like it needs to be (one reason is because I don't organize as quickly as my buying habits, and I don't even buy records that often.) , and that's been going on for a couple of decades. I've been watching vinyl community videos for probably 5 years and I think it's safe to say people in the vinyl community are some of the biggest addiction deniers there are.
I started as a kid in 66 and the collecting market has become insane!! Things are declining here where I live..new vinyl has changed the game.. I remember 3/1$ LPs!! Love the music is the key!
Recently I was at a record store and saw someone brought in his entire records collection. there were 3 large storage bins filled with albums. Clerks at the store didn't know how to price those records and called the owner in. The owner comes in, digs through the entire collection and offers the owner $140, the owner tried to get more and the store owner increased the offer by $10. The entire collections of 500-600 LPs in great condition for $150. I felt so bad for the guy... This tells you that you will get close to nothing when you will be selling your collection.
It's work, but selling individual will always net more profit then selling in bulk - especially to a reseller
As someone who has sold to a store owner, that seems just too low.
@@RogerYng Store owner kept telling the collector that all his records were not original presses, but later reissues. Don't know if that was really the case or just an excuse to lower the price. I'd imagine that if you collect for a while you'd have a mix of original presses and later issues.
Ya can't sell your collection to a dealer ..why would you?
you are so correct on the principle of only buying stuff that you truly like. About a hundred years ago when i was in my teens, i would buy anything that was labelled "cool" with my peers, or music press. As i became older and maybe wiser, i realised that about 70% of my collection i couldnt stand. Now im in my sixties,i just buy what resonates with me, and screw it if its "uncool" music. i would now sooner have a collection of 30 or 40 items that i love , than an unwanted collection, taking up space and never played.
I am commenting as I watch the video, so that’s why I thought weird
I despise Pink Floyd. The radio ruined it for me by playing with the same five songs, over and over and over again I cannot listen a Pink Floyd, ever again, especially Darkside of the moon.
So I took the Pink Floyd albums that I had that includes dark side, the wall, wish you were here and I believe one more and I gave them to my friend Matt who is a huge Pink Floyd fan. And he didn’t have them on vinyl so it made him very happy. He turned around and looked them up and I guess they’re all first printing like 1979 or whatever years of those things came out and they’re worth like $300 apiece , he asked if I wanted money for them I said no take them and enjoy them, cuz I won’t.
I’m about to give my Eric Clapton record the way to the guy at work whose birthday is coming up. He played guitar at my wedding last year and I still haven’t giving him anything and payment. He loves Eric Clapton so I think I’m gonna do that.
Those comments were not just great advice for record collectors. They were words to live by. Wonderful video!
I absolutely agree with just buying what YOU like, not what some random person on the internet tells you to buy, haha. Something else that "they" don't tell you is that vinyl can contain exclusive tracks that were never released any other way. I enjoy lots of types of music, but I absolutely love Italian eurobeat. I have over 1,000 eurobeat 12" singles from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. My eurobeat collection has essentially become a reference library because hundreds of eurobeat records contain exclusive tracks, which makes it all the more special to listen to these songs and mixes on vinyl. Some of my records get more play than others, but I am a DJ as well. As I said, I enjoy lots of types of other music, but I mostly choose not to buy other genres (classic rock, techno, house, etc) because those are rabbit holes that I don't want to go down. Plus I am already maxed out on space for my eurobeat records and those are the records that I truly love the most. Focus on the music that you truly love!
Great video. This topic is so fitting for me at the moment. I just recently have had 3 separate bad experiences trying to sell some of my records to record stores. You see some of these store owners on RUclips saying there is no money in owning a store, they do it “because they just love music”, yeah, BS!!!!!! I purchased a very nice Monarch pressing of LZ II for $40 at this one store. About a month later I went back to the same store to try and sell it back to him as I was able to get an RL SS for my birthday. The store owner didn’t even want it. Said it wasn’t worth anything. WTH? A similar situation at another store. I have a great copy of a 1st US pressing of the debut album of Black Sabbath. This store only offered me $3 for it. That is easily a $30-$50 record. I don’t get it. I all for businesses making money, but They are just taking advantage of us collectors.
I will also agree that selling them online, eBay, discogs, ect…. Is a total pain. So I am now at the point, that I don’t think I will be selling any of them anymore. It is not worth it. So like your one viewer said, buy only the records you really want and that you know you will enjoy for a long time to come.
Yep, exactly. You're much better off selling them yourself. Yeah, it can be a pain and it takes some work, but at least you're not ripping yourself off & will get the maximum amount of money.
@@R3TR0R4V3 you are right. I need to be better at that…. Thanks. Have a great Sunday
Some good points, some funny, some spot on. Didn't see (yet) your "5 things" video, but as an old guy who's been at this for well over 50 years, I'll add that I always have to smile at the lengths to which some people go to "protect" their records. Yes, they should be protected. Yes, things like outer sleeves and inner sleeves *can* help protect them. But, the point here, your records are not the delicate little hothouse flowers many people think they are. If only more people could see what an LP actually goes through from being pressed, sleeved, jacketed, wrapped, and shipped, it'd probably be a real eye-opener. It also goes some distance in shedding light on why *some* LPs from *some* plants arrive looking like they've been handled at the beignet factory and kicked all the way to your house. So, open, handle, play, and listen to your LPs. It's what they're made for, and the tactile aspect of this thing of ours is wonderful. Anyway, a long time lurker, so I'll use this opportunity to say - a great vid, great channel, and keep up the great work.
I think age gives you a different perspective on collecting. When you are in your twenties you see this whole life in front of you to enjoy all this stuff you are accumulating. Once you hit your fifties and recognize how fast life is going you realize that you have books you will never finish and records that you will rarely, if ever, listen to. The Japanese actually have a word, tsundoku, for the practice of accumulating large numbers of books that you will never read. I think it would be cool to have a word like this for records.
The word is ‘Stupidity"🤣
Our values have changed
I think I have tsundoku
Tsundoku's English translation is "Thrift-Shop"
Hey Frank, thanks for the shout-out. It made my day and made my wife smile.
I’ve talked about this many times on my channel about record store day, and how it operates basically on FOMO! I really hate that, and it really forces sales that really they didn’t earn! I totally agree with by only the artists and only the things that you really want and love! Moving is hell when you have lots of records just to have a lot of records sake! I have widowed my collection down to probably 1400 or so, and I can live with that! But all it takes is one move and it teaches you the lesson through both your head and your back! Great video, Frank
First LPs I loved were when I did not have any. Other's systems and LPs at college in early-mid 70s LOL. Those titles became my desert island discs essentially and I went on from there. Actually I want more media LP, CD and still buy some, but I have no more room and want to give away about 175 of the LPs. another story.
My attention is taken up on PC watching RUclips, web, editing and organizing my photography.
My attention span is lower, and is harder to relax in order to listen, too!
I need a better apt. with less background noise (even with headphone use) and some more space, than this little NYC place to really be able to enjoy listening.
That is a very big challenge for this retiree!
I have been buying vinyl since my first job in the 70s, my kids were brought up on the music & now all 3 are parents & my son is my clone & best friend going with me to record fairs, exchanging albums, BUT now his son wants a turntable to go with albums he has already purchased because he thinks vinyl & their sleeves are so cool, so now 3 generations are brought closer together by our passion for vinyl. I don't care for the price of my collection, it brought me a whole lot more by bonding us closer.
A great test is to take the same record some dude is selling at a record fair or shop, tell them you're selling, get ready for a LETDOWN and then ask WHY is he marking 100% on it at his store LOL. This starts a very nice conversation that teaches you a thing or two about the "value" of a collection. I own 47 copies of the same album, so i understand collectors!!! haha GREAT VIDEO MAN!
Someone they don't warn ya about is when you find that one album that is an import copy and you just end up buying it for the alternate label. I forget who it was, but it was a blue label Columbia pressing from Barbados or something like that. It doesn't even matter that its Ray Coniff & His Singers. Its a blue label Columbia record. And that's just another rabbit hole to fall in to. Kinda like why do people collect Herb Alpert's Whipped Cream and have the blue label, red label, both with and without the original back cover. Plus own the white and gold A&M labels. And where does it end? How about on London Records from the UK? Or that weird Taiwan version that's got a yellow cover instead of green. And next thing ya know you got the 8 track, the reel to reel, the cassette, the cd, the picture disc, the mirror, the breakfast cereal, the lunch box, and the flamethrower.
Excellent tips for record collecting Frank! They're all very true. I've been collecting them for years now and even at a modest 400 or so I have more than I'll ever listen to. And after losing my job recently I avoid record stores until I can find another job.
Keep on spinning Frank 👍
You start gathering a collection. At some point it becomes a library and eventually you have an archive. Then you have a coming to Jesus moment when you're literally running out of room and you face the fact that you're a hoarder. You either embrace it or don't.
Most people don't even listen to half of their record collections .
@@manchesterexplorer8519 But it's there when I want to.
@@manchesterexplorer8519 but it's there when I want to.
Hey Frank, this really got me to thinking. I’m kind of proud of myself, I’m 65 and according to Discogs I have 446 entries. I would say 400 of them are probably vinyl albums. I think I’ve done a good job of just keeping it to what I like what I will listen to and not just having to have everything…the fear of missing out if you will.
I definitely keep it to what I like.
What I hate is when some of the music I like has always been pressed in low numbers, & there are people who think they have to have literally every pressing, color variant (if applicable) that exists...basically every version of an album. & for the rest of us, if those people will even part with a copy, it's so ridiculous it's not worth the price.
& some people even buy as many copies of limited pressings just to turn around & resell them for 10x more.
I'm seeing LPs that I just bought that are on Discogs for $50+ right now, & they're selling, because the buyers
aren't aware you can still buy the LP for $12 from the label.
I absolutely cannot stand people like that.
Fomo is for those who have no will power , I'm just after vinyl that appeals to me, not even full discographies of artists, coz even the best artists had duff albums.
Just vinyl that I feel that I can play all the way through, no dark side, no wall, no weak tracks, all killer no filler!
I only get a full discography from a band/artist that I really like, which aren't many.
I did buy an extra copy of an LP that the band reissued because the original was selling for over $100 at the time & they didn't like that. Now they're both going for $300+ easily. But I decided I don't need two copies, so I sold the reissue to a friend.
I could have just posted it on Discogs for a couple hundred & sold it within a few hours at most, but I knew he'd truly appreciate having a copy. & he does...just recently he bought me a few LPs to thank me for it (3 or 4 years later lol) for letting him have it for basically what I paid for it.
Frank what can I say thank you for being so honest about this hobby!!! yes vinyl records are not worth what they were just six months ago people just aren't paying that much for vinyl anymore especially online I think the bubble has burst personally I've had enough I will be selling most of my collection hopefully at a fair and reasonable price 😔
I've been collecting vinyl for 8 years now and even though this is just a short time as compared to some people out there, I totally feel about not playing some albums enough. When I started collecting I have this idea in my head that I will listen to my collection every weekend, chilling out and so on. But as I grow older, as my collection grow bigger, as I become busier, that idea becomes something rare! Also now I really just buy albums that I -really really- love. Albums that I have an emotional/sentimental collection with. I realised as these 8 years went by, I buy less and less vinyl, especially during the pandemic days (was struggling financially hah). But yeah I learn to treasure my collection and truly buy records that I really really love. I love one of the comments below: Collecting vinyl is a labour of love! Great insights Frank!
Hi Frank
I'm 58
I'm buy records for retirement
By then i will have time to listen to them
Nothing else to do
Sit back and enjoy
All that amazing music
Storage is definitely a concern when it comes to vinyl collecting. I’ve only been collecting for about two years now. My collection started out with just a couple of records, then I needed a milk crate sized record box, I now have a two shelf turntable Stand that is just about full. Digital certainly does not take up as much space but it’s not nearly as fun!
Come back in 40 years when you have an extra room.
STORAGE: Some years back I went to a firm where I live which produces anything in acrylic. I ordered 30 clear, thick walled acrylic boxes each measured to room 10 albums. The top sides all have a round hole for my forefinger so that I can pull the particular box out of my shelf and slide out the album I want to play. These boxes make sure that my albums are sitting straight on my shelf and when moving to a new locations my record collection is easily stacked (box on box) without fearing ring wear.
This applies to all sorts of collectibles. There has to be someone who is willing to pay what you are charging. I always price stuff to sell quickly on EBay and that means selling for about half what things are supposedly worth.
Might be the "REALEST" episode I have ever seen on this channel. Awesome.
I actually had the opposite of your 'Grail' story. When I first started re-collecting, I wished I could find some early U2 albums, specifically Unforgettable Fire. Well, I found it in a rummage store, along with a copy of Genesis:Trick of the Tail. I figured I'd listen to U2 for hundreds of plays and once in a while I'd listen to Genesis. Instead, after 10 yrs from then till now, I've listened to Genesis hundreds of times while U2 sits on my shelf for nine months at a time, and I often play one side only, usually the opposite of the one I heard the last time. I guess tastes change from when you're a teenager, sometimes more than you realize.😀
I collect records because I like owning physical things of the things I love, also because it makes me appreciate every second of every song, and also because of the investment
I'm 64 and have been collecting records since I was three! I love all formats; about 15,000 of the 35,000 records I have are 78s.
I find it best to limit purchases by putting a maximum monthly allowance towards it. $50 (USD) per month (or however much you can personally & safely afford to budget) is a good number, and whatever I don't spend in the month will roll over into the next month and be added on top of that month's $50.
If I know a big ticket purchase is coming up in the next few months I will save all $50 each month leading up to it until I have enough to cover it. Also, by limiting the number of new records I buy it forces me to revisit and enjoy listening (and relistening) to the older ones that I have neglected.
This makes you more picky about the records you buy, and more appreciative of each one.
Another great thing is that your wife knows exactly how much is budgeted each month, so when a package arrives there is absolutely no arguments about anything...a win/win for all.
As a cassette collector, there are 5 dopamine hits I get when hunting and collecting.
One: Finding it.
Two: Buying it. (This is because when online, there's that period between the two, when you might be trying to make an offer or check out the other listings to save shipping.)
Three: Them sending it with a tracking number (you know nothing went wrong on there end, which is rare but awful)
Four: The tape arriving. It didn't get lost in the mail, or sent back if the seller foolishly added for it to be signed for and the tracking was no good.
Five: Listening to it, and having it play perfect and enjoyable.
@2:49 -- Of course you lose interest in that special album that you worked so hard to acquire. That goes with just about everything.
The person that purchased a new Corvette is thrilled to the moon when they drive it home from the dealership.
And they are still pleased to own it 6 months later, or 2 years later. But nothing will surpass the day they drove it home.
The same goes for a new clothing outfit, or a new watch, or a new computer, or a new pre-amp, or collectible coin or comic-book, or a anything that was a thrill at the time of the purchase. We keep purchasing, because that is the moment of the height of our joy. Even that new joke, that had your drink coming out of your nose, becomes a distant memory.
@9:19 -- The reason you will not sell your records when you retire is because you are still you.
Why would you one day decide that you no longer want to have a record collection?
Also, selling your collection at some ripe old age is you acknowledging that the end is near. I doubt you would do that.
Imagine being old, and selling your collection. You would feel empty inside, and you would feel like you just put one foot into your grave.
When a young person thinks about getting old, they might have trouble thinking about that old person as themselves. They imagine themselves as some other person doing things that old people supposedly do. If you woke up, tomorrow, and you were old, you would not suddenly stop being you. You would not sell your record collection now, and therefore would not sell your record collection then.
Your record collection is one of your accomplishments. People are reluctant to walk away from their accomplishments.
To go along with 'cutting the fat.' Sometimes it actually feels really good to let some items go - you might get a little extra cash, some more space, and get a bit of a better idea of what kinds of items are more likely to stay in your collection.
Work at home means a NEED for LP records for the turntable right behind me. NO Surprise that there are albums that play through so well, and allow you to stay focussed on productive work.
I purchased most of the nearly 600 vinyl LPs in my collection in the 1970's/1980's, before switching to compact discs mainly. The actual records haven't been played often. After originally buying them, I usually made a cassette copy, and stored the album on a shelf. As a result, most of the albums I bought are still in "like new" condition. I repurchased several on CD when they were reissued. I'm now in the process of digitizing the vinyl in my collection which has never had a CD reissue (yes, I bought a lot of "obscure" stuff). Still have every record I ever bought. As for their "value", I've looked up the obscure ones on Discogs, and they seem to be going for between $2.00 - $10.00 each. Definitely wouldn't get "rich" if I ever decided to sell the collection!
You have done exactly what I did, but I have slightly more records, about 1000. I will record them to mp3 someday. A lot of mine still have the shrink wrap on them with the original price tag and stickers so I still know where I bought them.
@@ronbeck201 The first album I bought with my allowance in 1974 still has the shrink rap and price sticker. "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden". Bought at the now defunct "T.G. & Y." store for $5.98. That is one I now also have a CD reissue of. It'll be easy to make MP3's of the CD versions of old albums I bought, but the more obscure albums will require real-time playing and a little sound processing in Sound Forge. 🙂
In my experience, records are worth more than I think. Crazy what people are paying at auction these days on eBay
I think it’s important to actively “flip” albums, on top of collecting for yourself. To not hoard and to keep a balance of business and pleasure while it’s all in the wheel house of what you love. Do what you love right
This is the best thing ever posted about collecting records!
Intresting video Frank and
Your ronly buying the music you like is the best advice I've gotten back into buying and laying cds after 3 years of collecting vinyl
Just wanted to comment on your remark about wether DSOTM is the greatest Floyd album or not… I agree… it’s not… personally I think it’s Animals………………… ding ding round one is underway : )
I have several crates of LPs, CDs, DVDs, Cassettes, 45s, 78s, and even a few 8-tracks.
I shudder at the new prices, since I collected most of mine from resale shops. My base collection was from mail order back in the 70s.
I checked with a local store and he only wanted the ‘famous’ ones. I’ll probably donate to Goodwill 😢.
Great advice from your gang. Examine your motivations.
My biggest fear is what will happen when i will die. Each collection is absolutely so personal that you will never find someone who has the exact music taste as you, neither family or friend cause our collection is like our fingerprint. Unique. I own aprox. 1700 Vinyl/Cds and it is true that almost half of them have not be played for years. Trim the fat is a good solution but when its the time to decide you just cant let go. Its a bless and curse at the same time. I think i might need to make a big decision to choose 300-400 to sell/trade in order to get 50-60 that i will enjoy and listen. Greeting from Greece your videos are always spot on.
If leaving records behind for family members to have to deal with, it would be a good idea to leave some type of instructions behind so they can get the most money for their troubles. My family can't look at an album cover and know exactly by who it is, what's the name of the album, what genre it is and what it might be worth, (like I can. I can see the spine and know what an album is.) so leaving that kind of information is crucial. (Even thinking about it kind of gets me excited to better organize my collection.) The topic would make a great video.
Two things mentioned that I feel are worth repeating is,
1. Collect what you like, not what others say you need. And avoid the “Top 10 Albums You Must Have” videos.
Collecting is fun. Don’t lose that!
2. There’s no hurry to build your collection.
This goes back to keeping the hubby fun.
If you’re not collecting for the fun of it, then it’s a job. Keep it fun.
Absolutely agree with this. Music is subjective and a very personal experience while listening. Don't ever let people tell you what you should like and be playing. I was always somewhat horrified to see what professional stereo component reviewers were listening to when they tested equipment. I often wondered if deep down, they even liked that stuff.
I agree with every point. I have done the mental calculation while justifying a purchase thinking I could sell this record later for more,,,, but that will probably never happen.
I've always used tape to back up my records. The idea is that you record once on tape and play it as much as you want to save the wear on your records. Not really an arguable point, but on the other hand, I haven't been as loyal to that process as I should have been over the decades. Only now that I'm older am I taking the time to record a lot of albums. But having a CD recorder has helped that a lot. Ultimately I like the way tape sounds over the CD player....but that's just the preamps/opamps in my tape machines generating pleasing coloration, distortion and harmonics. The thing about digitizing the records is that it makes an exact copy of the album. I can just go with that or commit to tape later, my choice.
While it's fun to prep a record and get it ready to record, I'm not OCD enough I enjoy that every time I play a record like a lot of you guys. However, the downside to making a CD or tape is that you've essentially doubled your storage problems. So.... I try to record stuff that I seem to be repeat playing with some frequency. If I have an album I haven't listened to in a decade, it makes no sense to record it because I won't be wearing that record out.
I have a couple of mates who have gotten into vinyl because of my set up. Both of them bought stacks of albums from their youth (we all have phases), and what they consider essentials (The Beatles, Floyd etc). I warned them against it, told them they’ll never get listened to and just take up space. They have both since realised they’ve wasted a lot of money on what are now essentially art pieces they’ll never display.
In saying that, FOMO doesn’t mess around. I’ve bought stuff that doesn’t get listened to for that very reason.
I also want to say I saw you on one of Steve Westman's roundtable discussions and you inspired me to buy Dire Straits' 45rpm from Abbey Road. Absolutely incredible. Thank you!!
Record collection can be a rabbit hole .
I agree with the statement of just get what you enjoy, play the music and enjoy it
I have a knack for buying the debut albums of bands or artists that end up becoming huge, and thus the value of those first (and sometimes only) pressings skyrocket in price. Its actually more of a smart investment to discover new amazing bands, assess their potential, and buy their obscure release.
Well as someone who just hit 50 I don't smoke..don't drink...not into cars or sports. We all have an addiction. The way I see this is an addiction to art. To me vinyl is the canvas and the actual sound is pressed in it and slipped in a painting called the jacket. My kids like it so one day it will be theirs.
I disagree with the comment about acquiring albums as an empty experience. Maybe its that I don't tend to forget what I have added to my collection, especially if the search for it was difficult or time consuming. Any of the harder to acquire albums are even more solidified in my memory, and makes it even more fulfilling to know that I managed to add it to my collection. But, even the common and mundane albums in my collection have memories associated with them. Collecting anything is more than just simply owning a bunch of stuff. Just like most things in life... most of the enjoyment comes from the journey, not the destination.
YAY - the truth. Everything is only worth what it is worth to the individual or what you can sell it for. It has been a bit of an easily digested con. Paul McCartney put out something around 12 vinyl editions of his album McCartney 3 and the rampant fans bought it all up sending a good but not great album to the number one spot. I don't begrudge fans wanting to purchase whatever they like but I am unable to comprehend the phenomenal amount they are prepared to spend on multiple copies. Now cassettes are a small trend. That won't last long as really who can be bothered using sticky tape to fix the actual tape or try and fix loops with a pencil. I like this channel. Wise words without arrogance.
Geez... By watching your video, I realized that I'm totally and utterly up the wrong alley, in the terms of hobbies. Yes, I realize that it wasn't intentional and that your video was posted for different reasons, in order to help people but it certainly opened up my eyes ... this is merely my own experience.
For years, I wanted a good sounding audio gear with Technics SL1200 for occasional use (when nostalgia strikes) since I always found it to be beautiful, in terms of traditional turntables. But in reality, what I needed was a low budget system that would and could play some of my favorite LP albums and cassette tapes. Alas, I couldn't stretch the budget for 1200 so I picked up brand new Audio Technica AT-LP140XP instead, but I did grab a very nice, semi-vintage Pioneer component system instead.
Now, for some reason, I kept investing more and more into it, especially LP140 and the carts, hoping that one day, someday I would build up larger music collection like yours. Which was probably my second biggest mistake ... as the prices went up and my budget got flat broke. Leaving me with very nice set of pricy components, which are mostly just gathering dust and reminding me of a failed idea, project.
And that is of course a big issue right there, kinda makes me wonder what to do with it. Obviously, I could try to sell the whole thing and hope to retrieve some of my money. But as you probably know that is not always (if ever?) the case and I'm never going to get my investment back. Thus I better just keep the damn thing and use it once or twice every couple of months.
People often buy cheap, but eventually end up getting and wanting expensive. Where in my case, I've managed to prove that the stupidity and/or ignorance goes both ways, and even when you actually KNOW what you want ... or at least think that you do.
My audio system is not connected. But I still buy records. Why? Because I can!
I like the hunt; I have found records that I never thought I would find.
A wise man once said to me about collectibles: "A record, a comic book... all of them are worth precisely what an individual is willing to pay for them. You can say that something is worth a particular amount but, if no one's buying it, then it really doesn't matter."
As far as the size of collections go, I've been a music geek since I was a kid, I've worked in the music industry as a critic for about twenty years -- so my music collection is of a fair size, but I can guarantee that it's nowhere near as large as you might think. I have a regular practice of culling my collection, and the rule (there's only one) is simple: "Did I listen to this record within the last twelve months?" If the answer is no, It goes to a "new and used" record store - everything else gets a reprieve. When I leave the business, I might have to re-think this practice, but it has served me well, to date. The last time I moved was six years ago when I divorced -- and I think it took me less than a week to move (might have taken even less time than that, were I not disabled).
FINALLY, I can definitely say that, because I'm the family audiophile (I've been bequeathed record collections), I can say that while I appreciate the stuff I'm given, I do not need most of the Pink Floyd that I've received. One of the happiest days of my life was when I finally got rid of the last Pink Floyd albums that I suspect will ever be in my record collection.
Truly one of your best videos as i think about all these things constantly while struggling with my wants in collecting music !! Frank you are excellent!!
Pausing @ 5:15 to type this: I recently had a conversation with a couple of coworkers about turntables, and there was one point where I even commented out loud "I had to switch gears in brain to not be a vinyl snob for a moment" when the discussion of new model turntable prices came up. One of my coworkers paid roughly $200 CAD for a new turntable, and she says it actually sounds pretty good. Taking her word at face value, I was immediately reminded of this one video from the RUclips channel Techmoan where it seems as though someone figured out how to make a good-sounding turntable on the cheap. Not necessarily a *great* turntable, but she said it was good enough to sound better than a Crosley
Low key, I like the limited edition, FOMO, aspect of record collecting :) it makes collecting exciting
So true with regards to price. Discogs like eBay is what people actually pay vs what they ideally cost. I prefer the local store anyway - yeah they dont pay Discogs 'prices' but it's decent, quick and a better rate if you trade in for more records. I don't agree with the emptiness of collecting though- I don't keep records I don't like or bad pressings. I love randomly choosing records from my collection too and kicking back. I love the process too and the routine. If you feel empty after buying records maybe that says something more about you'd your life? Maybe go fulfil it elsewhere? Don't buy on credit though- that's my advice for this hobby.
I used to make A LOT of money selling records on Amazon...it took a lot of time and effort...but it was a fun money making machine! When Amazon forced me to accept returns for any reason, and the IRS came a calling, I quit. But there is value in your records and you'd be surprised at what people are willing to pay, but it is harder now.
I myself have recently downsized my collection considerably and kept the artist that I know I will listen to on a regular basis. With that said It was an arduous process and It has been even harder to try not to purchase some new titles or at least second guessing when I see a new title I want. A vicious cycle.
great vid! i think intelligence ltd nailed the best.... and theres nothing negative about his comment at all... its just facts. Ive no doubt the act of serious collecting is a deeply rooted psychological crutch or filler for something that is missing in ones life. Im sure if most heavy collectors sat with this and really thought about what drives their hobby / habit they would inevitably reach the same conclusion. Now thats not to say one cant derive pleasure from it... but i think it becomes less about the music the deeper you go down the collecting rabbit hole. It becomes all about the hunt. The momentary dopamine hits of filling a gap in the collection or finding a grail become the reason. At least I came to that conclusion about my own habits several years ago. I found once I got comfortable with selling as much as I bought and really started to curate my collection (never letting it go over an amount that ,to me, was more manageable) I fell back in love with listening again and felt waaaaay more at ease with my hobby instead of it being a bit of a burden. Just my perspective ✌
There used to be a man in Memphis, Tennessee who ran a huge record shop (stacks and stacks, more than should be in the space allowed. To the point the vinyl was being damaged.)
He had his little record price book. He pulled that thing out every single time. He would charge book price, every single time, with very few exceptions. He sold me a copy of The White Album for $10 ONLY because the cover was covered in mold. The wax was fine, but the cover was wrecked to the point that it became the GREEN album.
The shop is closed now. The bad neighborhood finally encroched it and he was, sadly, murdered in his own shop.
I tend to mainly buy new releases so that my collection isn't over saturated with "classics".
I am getting to a point where I have more music that I can realistically listen to all of it. I cycle through bands but my new purchases are slowing down. I started collected LPs at a good time before everything got priced out of what I was willing to pay. I never buy something I will not listen to and almost never buy re-issue vinyl. Since I got to almost 1000 LPs I have gone back to CDs filling in lost items from the past and other ones I never got when I was younger. Now its time to sit back and enjoy them!
Cheers, Frank! Another fine video. I've found a few rare records at yard and car boot sales - but my first thought is never 'I wonder what I could get for that?' It used to be, when I was younger, but now it's usually: 'I need that for my collection', or: 'Is it in better condition than the one I already own?' I have a couple of Kasabian 10" records, which were, some time ago, going for stupid money on Discogs. But I like them, and don't want to get rid of them. It doesn't matter to me.
Great comments in the video. With a large collection, I often can't choose (like a restaurant menu with too many choices): I recently discovered that the discogs phone app will randomly select an album from your collection if you shake the phone (this includes filters if you've applied them) so I get reminded to play great music I wouldn't normally think of.
My wife and I went to the lawyer's a couple of years ago and have a will. My two best friends and I travel, check out records stores and never miss a Record Store Day. When I die my friends get to go through my albums and pick what they want first. Then my niece will get to pick. My two friends know they are responsible for taking care of what is left; to sell or keep, knowing that my wife will get any money that might be made. It's good to have friends like that who also collect vinyl and will make sure the Mrs. will reap the benefits. I'm sure you've seen the cartoon on Facebook, "I want to be buried with all of my records. That will be my 'vinyl' resting place!"
I am so glad I hung on to 1983 T40 turntable and all the vinyl I collected in the 1980s have all the ones I love in perfect shape never sell the collection
It's sad, many people purchase albums just to get "likes" on social media, and it becomes a game of having something many people don't own. There's no winning unless you are collecting for yourself! Great video here.
Sometimes you don,t get what you want, but you get what you need.
I decided to just focus on quality and bucket-list records going forward. Yes, I'll buy the odd new re-release, or repress, such as some Blue Note, AP, Mofi, etc. But I know what I like and I feel I can just focus on the quality at this point. I think the best way to get rid of a collection is to sell as a 'living estate collection' to people who have 1. knowledge and 2. reach. Like a Mike Esposito, etc.
So first of all, for this video I was the 666th "like"...and so I definitely had my Iron Maiden phase in high school in the 80s and The Number of the Beast, Powerslave, Live After Death and Somewhere In Time (saw this tour) was MY era...so yeah, I just HAD to comment.
This was a very philosophical video and I think a lot of the comments reflect a lot of what collectors go through and ask themselves as the hobby intensifies. I really resonated with the comment from "intelligencelimited2708" about a certain spiritual emptiness, and yet I love my records; this music I own. Some of my best listening experiences have been from long vinyl listening sessions. I've been daunted and trying to get organized for at least a pair-down purge this autumn.
While I do find the Pareto Principle applies here: I tend to listen to about 20% of my collection the most...there must be a law (similar to ex: Parkinson's Law) but one specific to this fact: *the bigger your vinyl collection grows, the less time you have to enjoy each individual record*. Without getting to the bigger spiritual emptiness, I think the smaller spiritual ache starts with that fact and the pressure to enjoy them all...an impossible task if you have a full and balanced life.
So yeah, slow down people, buy only the music you like, beware of FOMO, live within your means, keep the addiction in check, and remember to enjoy the records you already own!
Well I’m retired and I didn’t sell my collection. In fact I’m still adding to it. So that proves that comment absolutely spot on! Great video Frank !
Don't sell your collection - no matter what happens to us when retired we can always play some great music. For free!!! And when we pass away our collections WILL find new owners. We are just custodians enjoying the stuff while we are here!