I am still struggling with the loss of my vinyl collection, While overseas serving in the Marines a family member took my record collection and destroyed it, I discovered what happened many years later when I visited a remote cabin of a previously mentioned family member, the walls were adorned with my album covers, nailed into place. The records they contained were all piled in disarray at the bottom of a closet. You can imagine how I might have been feeling at that moment. Years of care, each record has a special liner and vinyl covers to preserve the artwork, as you mentioned many had my initials on the covers because I had roommates who had similar collections and it was easy to get them mixed up. I have just a small handful of records now and would love to start the hobby again, it is still an emotional subject for me.
I had a similar experience. It was 1981 and my Mom died at 47. I just finished my Master's degree and I went to a nearby city to start the process of getting my Ph.D. When I got home, my Dad had destroyed everything that was my Mom's. Burned her wedding dress, her clothes, their wedding album. He threw in the dumpster her jewelry and her albums. It's been 40 years I am trying to get her collection together.
Before I comment, I should say that you are definitely among my top 3 favorite RUclips producers. I find you easily relatable, knowledgeable without being arrogant, rationale without being a snooze fest, discerning without aggressive negativity. Why do I mention this ? Because I'm about to highlight the ultimate content disqualifier. You above anyone have no business discussing methods or mindsets for grading records. You, yourself, express why. You don't sell your Records. You NEVER HAVE. You don't review turntables that you have never used, do you ? No, I know that you don't. Anything you have to say about the selling process is speculation, conjecture, hypothetical rhetoric meant for entertainment value and nothing more. Well, you grade all of your Records. Ok, that's nice, who checks your answers ? You do. Thats a pretty understanding and forgiving judge don't you think ? REAL record grading involves a judge of your work who is completely UNKNOWN to you. A Glaring difference, don't you think ? But that's still the kid glove version of record grading, when someone else judges your work. The REALLY REAL judge of your record grading integrity is the judge who paid his/her hard earned money to have the job. THAT is the only true reflection of the quality of work being done when grading records. You cant imagine or pretend, you cant use what you have learned as the buyer. If a tree falls in the forest and nothing is alive in the area to hear it, does it make any noise ? Regardless of how adamantly you argue and how evidentiary your debate is, you can never simulate the result. The moment you listen, the result is disqualified. As is ANYTHING that you have to say about grading records. "Mint records are the White Whale." An easy declaration for a man who has never fished. "If you have the slightest hesitation, assign the lower grade " Says the man whose hesitation has no impact. The shark whose teeth never take a bite. The guy who refuses to buy from any seller who has less than a 100% positive feedback rating, with no less than 1000 reviews. Disqualified. Disqualified. Disqualified. You, more than any record content RUclips producer, have absolutely zero merit in qualifying to instruct anyone on grading records. You may argue this point. But you will be wrong. You have been buying records for years. Big deal. You almost NEVER buy used records, according to other videos that you made. Even if you bought exclusively used records..... And welcomed and supported new sellers.... Which you don't.... That would still not qualify you, whose record grading impacts NO ONE BUT HIMSELF, from telling me how to grade records. I, whose record grading techniques have been analyzed by 1000 different record buyers.... Record buyers who have paid money to earn the right to judge my work... I consider myself barely qualified to offer advice or instruction on record grading. The fact that I have bought 15,000 used records in the past 36 months does nothing for my record grading instruction qualification. The very first record I graded, and sold, provided more merit than all 15,000 that I bought. I have a positive review rating percentage of 98.1%. According to you that disqualifies me as a seller. You're not interested in the fact that 3 of those individuals blatantly lied on their review. What was their motivation? I don't know. I only know the truth, something they chose to ignore. You disregard my ability to accurately grade records because of my 98.1% positive feedback. You're not interested to know that a different group of 3 were actually part of an organized group from Sarasota, Florida who targeted, and subsequently blackmailed and stole from sellers like me, and many others. Me being a victim of organized criminals disqualifies me from having the privilege of calling you my customer. That is a fact that you clearly state in another video. Because your conclusions are fundamentally flawed doesn't prevent me from enjoying your videos. But in this case the record collecting path that you have chosen to take, 100% disqualifies you from telling ANYONE how to grade records. Hopefully you can accept this post with the same calm and rational demeanor that I so much enjoy and admire. Just as I have come to accept your wildly off base decision to declare me as a risky seller based upon a few people who likely struggle to be truthful in all aspects of their life, and a few more who willfully and with intent executed criminal behavior, with myself and others as their targets. Food for thought My friend. I look forward to the next great video. Bungeebill Hood Rat Records Head Held High over Here 🎩✌️🐀💿🎶
Hi Bill. It upsets me that this video offended you. That was not my intent as I'm sure you know. I do almost exclusively buy used records (my Discogs purchase list is in the hundreds) and I have been burned quite a few times by sellers who grade NM and send a "barely" VG record. This is why I have a few sellers I trust and who I go to regularly. All that being said - I created that video almost 4 years ago (which shocks me that time goes by so fast), and buying habits change. It is probably a good idea for me to create an update on where I stand now and how I look at buying on Discogs. Opinions change and, to your point, it would be a disservice for me not to say how mine have. Fortunately, that old video has a low performance and hasn't really made a splash. My update will 🍺
Ok, here goes… I am a 47 year old taking his first real steps into vinyl. I’ve used a record player, granted years ago but now am looking to expand my music media library. Years ago chooseing a turntable was fairly easy as most stereo component sets came with an adequate selection, but not so much anymore, man I’m old, lol! So here’s my questions… 1 - Prices and opinions are all over the place even though actual selection is fairly limited, comparatively anyway ? You’ve got the guys who think the higher the price the better the quality. Then there’s the guys that simply wear their equipment as a badge of status. Of course you’ve got those at the opposite end of the spectrum that say they all do the same thing so who cares. No, I don’t need a golden turntable adorned with diamonds, but I also don’t want a pile of cheap plastic that collapses under its own weight or falls apart the first time the cat jumps up to take a look. 2 - Here’s what it will be playing through… 2 EV50 line array PA systems set as Front R and L channels. I have the following input options… 1/4, XLR, 3.5mm stereo or RCA R and L. I would like to run the turntable signal R mono to the R EV and the same to the left. Will this be able to work directly from the turntable or will I need something else in between? 3 - To sum it all up. What would be a solid turntable for an occasional listener who enjoys really good sound, won’t break the bank of a working man, and would work as seamlessly as possible with my current sound system?
@Adam Lemons - Hi and welcome! I completely get being a bit stuck in analysis paralysis given the abundance of opinions, etc. I'm not familiar with the EV50 but I do know what it is. If you go with a turntable like the Audio-Technica AT-LP3 (a decent option for the casual listener) you won't need anything between it and the EV because the AT-LP3 has a built in preamp. If you look at others in its price range make sure they say "built in preamp". If not you will also need an external preamp. The Fluance RT-81 is another one in this range with a built-in preamp. For a better experience at a low cost, you could pair either turntable with a pair of Edifier powered speakers. The R1280T are very well made. I'm sure they won't run more than $100, maybe less if you shop around. I hope this helps. Cheers!
Thank you! The EVs are designed to run mic or instrument inputs on the 1/4 and XLR input channels. If I use those would I still need a pre-amp and if not would you have a recommendation that would be a better option then what you already gave? I promise no more questions, lol!
@Adam Lemmons - I don't mind the questions at all! If the Turntable has a built-in preamp you won't need an external. It sounds like the EV accepts R/L RCA inputs then you should be good. If the turntable doesn't have the built-in preamp, an inexpensive reliable option is the Pro-Ject Audio - Phono Box DC (you can find it on Amazon). I'm working on a page of recommendations for my website but it won't be ready for a couple of days. There are many options out there and the Pro-Ject is just one I have no problem recommending.
@@adamlemons7909 Welcome to the vinyl community. Don't be afraid about asking questions. We all want our systems to be as good as possible, whether you've got a suitcase record player or an audiophiles ear and budget. You have some a-holes that say if you do not have a Technics 1200 TT you might as well hang it up. You know what I say to them.
One more thing, I have a TT with a pre-amp which is O.K. but I have a pre-amp seperate component. TJoV recommended a Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DC. I have got one and it sounds terrific. It's about a hundred bucks with shipping and handling.
I like how Good means bad
I am still struggling with the loss of my vinyl collection, While overseas serving in the Marines a family member took my record collection and destroyed it, I discovered what happened many years later when I visited a remote cabin of a previously mentioned family member, the walls were adorned with my album covers, nailed into place. The records they contained were all piled in disarray at the bottom of a closet. You can imagine how I might have been feeling at that moment. Years of care, each record has a special liner and vinyl covers to preserve the artwork, as you mentioned many had my initials on the covers because I had roommates who had similar collections and it was easy to get them mixed up. I have just a small handful of records now and would love to start the hobby again, it is still an emotional subject for me.
That’s awful @Bret Spangler. I’m sorry to hear about that. Especially given how well you took care of them.
I had a similar experience. It was 1981 and my Mom died at 47. I just finished my Master's degree and I went to a nearby city to start the process of getting my Ph.D. When I got home, my Dad had destroyed everything that was my Mom's. Burned her wedding dress, her clothes, their wedding album. He threw in the dumpster her jewelry and her albums. It's been 40 years I am trying to get her collection together.
Before I comment, I should say that you are definitely among my top 3 favorite RUclips producers. I find you easily relatable, knowledgeable without being arrogant, rationale without being a snooze fest, discerning without aggressive negativity.
Why do I mention this ?
Because I'm about to highlight the ultimate content disqualifier.
You above anyone have no business discussing methods or mindsets for grading records.
You, yourself, express why.
You don't sell your Records. You NEVER HAVE.
You don't review turntables that you have never used, do you ?
No, I know that you don't.
Anything you have to say about the selling process is speculation, conjecture, hypothetical rhetoric meant for entertainment value and nothing more.
Well, you grade all of your Records.
Ok, that's nice, who checks your answers ?
You do. Thats a pretty understanding and forgiving judge don't you think ?
REAL record grading involves a judge of your work who is completely UNKNOWN to you.
A Glaring difference, don't you think ?
But that's still the kid glove version of record grading, when someone else judges your work.
The REALLY REAL judge of your record grading integrity is the judge who paid his/her hard earned money to have the job.
THAT is the only true reflection of the quality of work being done when grading records.
You cant imagine or pretend, you cant use what you have learned as the buyer.
If a tree falls in the forest and nothing is alive in the area to hear it, does it make any noise ?
Regardless of how adamantly you argue and how evidentiary your debate is, you can never simulate the result.
The moment you listen, the result is disqualified.
As is ANYTHING that you have to say about grading records.
"Mint records are the White Whale."
An easy declaration for a man who has never fished.
"If you have the slightest hesitation, assign the lower grade "
Says the man whose hesitation has no impact.
The shark whose teeth never take a bite.
The guy who refuses to buy from any seller who has less than a 100% positive feedback rating, with no less than 1000 reviews.
Disqualified.
Disqualified.
Disqualified.
You, more than any record content RUclips producer, have absolutely zero merit in qualifying to instruct anyone on grading records.
You may argue this point.
But you will be wrong.
You have been buying records for years.
Big deal. You almost NEVER buy used records, according to other videos that you made.
Even if you bought exclusively used records.....
And welcomed and supported new sellers....
Which you don't....
That would still not qualify you, whose record grading impacts NO ONE BUT HIMSELF, from telling me how to grade records.
I, whose record grading techniques have been analyzed by 1000 different record buyers....
Record buyers who have paid money to earn the right to judge my work...
I consider myself barely qualified to offer advice or instruction on record grading.
The fact that I have bought 15,000 used records in the past 36 months does nothing for my record grading instruction qualification.
The very first record I graded, and sold, provided more merit than all 15,000 that I bought.
I have a positive review rating percentage of 98.1%.
According to you that disqualifies me as a seller.
You're not interested in the fact that 3 of those individuals blatantly lied on their review.
What was their motivation? I don't know. I only know the truth, something they chose to ignore.
You disregard my ability to accurately grade records because of my 98.1% positive feedback.
You're not interested to know that a different group of 3 were actually part of an organized group from Sarasota, Florida who targeted, and subsequently blackmailed and stole from sellers like me, and many others.
Me being a victim of organized criminals disqualifies me from having the privilege of calling you my customer.
That is a fact that you clearly state in another video.
Because your conclusions are fundamentally flawed doesn't prevent me from enjoying your videos.
But in this case the record collecting path that you have chosen to take, 100% disqualifies you from telling ANYONE how to grade records.
Hopefully you can accept this post with the same calm and rational demeanor that I so much enjoy and admire.
Just as I have come to accept your wildly off base decision to declare me as a risky seller based upon a few people who likely struggle to be truthful in all aspects of their life, and a few more who willfully and with intent executed criminal behavior, with myself and others as their targets.
Food for thought My friend.
I look forward to the next great video.
Bungeebill
Hood Rat Records
Head Held High over Here
🎩✌️🐀💿🎶
Hi Bill. It upsets me that this video offended you. That was not my intent as I'm sure you know. I do almost exclusively buy used records (my Discogs purchase list is in the hundreds) and I have been burned quite a few times by sellers who grade NM and send a "barely" VG record. This is why I have a few sellers I trust and who I go to regularly.
All that being said - I created that video almost 4 years ago (which shocks me that time goes by so fast), and buying habits change. It is probably a good idea for me to create an update on where I stand now and how I look at buying on Discogs. Opinions change and, to your point, it would be a disservice for me not to say how mine have. Fortunately, that old video has a low performance and hasn't really made a splash. My update will 🍺
nice and informative about basic grading. Thanks
Great video Rick, love the topic!
Most record shows and stores I go to are more specific with pluses or minuses on gradings.
For me, "F" grade means "F**ked Frisbee" 😆😂🤣
😂😂😂
When you think of the grade good , it should be bad !
Ok, here goes…
I am a 47 year old taking his first real steps into vinyl. I’ve used a record player, granted years ago but now am looking to expand my music media library. Years ago chooseing a turntable was fairly easy as most stereo component sets came with an adequate selection, but not so much anymore, man I’m old, lol! So here’s my questions…
1 - Prices and opinions are all over the place even though actual selection is fairly limited, comparatively anyway ? You’ve got the guys who think the higher the price the better the quality. Then there’s the guys that simply wear their equipment as a badge of status. Of course you’ve got those at the opposite end of the spectrum that say they all do the same thing so who cares. No, I don’t need a golden turntable adorned with diamonds, but I also don’t want a pile of cheap plastic that collapses under its own weight or falls apart the first time the cat jumps up to take a look.
2 - Here’s what it will be playing through…
2 EV50 line array PA systems set as Front R and L channels. I have the following input options…
1/4, XLR, 3.5mm stereo or RCA R and L.
I would like to run the turntable signal R mono to the R EV and the same to the left. Will this be able to work directly from the turntable or will I need something else in between?
3 - To sum it all up. What would be a solid turntable for an occasional listener who enjoys really good sound, won’t break the bank of a working man, and would work as seamlessly as possible with my current sound system?
@Adam Lemons - Hi and welcome! I completely get being a bit stuck in analysis paralysis given the abundance of opinions, etc. I'm not familiar with the EV50 but I do know what it is. If you go with a turntable like the Audio-Technica AT-LP3 (a decent option for the casual listener) you won't need anything between it and the EV because the AT-LP3 has a built in preamp. If you look at others in its price range make sure they say "built in preamp". If not you will also need an external preamp. The Fluance RT-81 is another one in this range with a built-in preamp.
For a better experience at a low cost, you could pair either turntable with a pair of Edifier powered speakers. The R1280T are very well made. I'm sure they won't run more than $100, maybe less if you shop around.
I hope this helps. Cheers!
Thank you! The EVs are designed to run mic or instrument inputs on the 1/4 and XLR input channels. If I use those would I still need a pre-amp and if not would you have a recommendation that would be a better option then what you already gave?
I promise no more questions, lol!
@Adam Lemmons - I don't mind the questions at all! If the Turntable has a built-in preamp you won't need an external. It sounds like the EV accepts R/L RCA inputs then you should be good. If the turntable doesn't have the built-in preamp, an inexpensive reliable option is the Pro-Ject Audio - Phono Box DC (you can find it on Amazon). I'm working on a page of recommendations for my website but it won't be ready for a couple of days. There are many options out there and the Pro-Ject is just one I have no problem recommending.
@@adamlemons7909 Welcome to the vinyl community. Don't be afraid about asking questions. We all want our systems to be as good as possible, whether you've got a suitcase record player or an audiophiles ear and budget. You have some a-holes that say if you do not have a Technics 1200 TT you might as well hang it up. You know what I say to them.
One more thing, I have a TT with a pre-amp which is O.K. but I have a pre-amp seperate component. TJoV recommended a Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DC. I have got one and it sounds terrific. It's about a hundred bucks with shipping and handling.