I want to collect records. What should I know?

[porkchop87]

I dusted off a really old turntable I found at my parents place. I'm not sure if it even works but I was thinking about collecting records since it would be a nice addition to my music/guitar room. I was wondering what sort of things I should know as somebody who knows nothing about records or record players.

I was thinking I might want to get a new turntable too, but what's a good brand for the buck? I'm not looking to spend a lot of money.

I know of a nice little place that sells used records. I'm aware of the different speeds, and that the quality of the needle and cartridge is important. The rest I don't know.

[SixAngryStrings]

You should know that there aren't any more record stores around these days...

And you should also know where to find a good swap meet...

[Nicky]

You could find some good records here...

[Leendrix]

Stay away from Vibe turn tables. Look at Target for a good one.

And pick up some Led Zeppelin, Carlos Santana, Pink Floyd, Rush, AC/DC...

[ptate]

Records go "shhk, krrk, wwwrrk, shhk, shhk, shhk" before the music begins.... So don't think it's the turntable or amp thats at fault..... Kids forget these things....!!!

They scratch easily, can be made into plant pots and the cardboard sleeves can get damaged by damp conditions.....

They're great..!!

[SKATTERBRANE]

If you are not willing to spend the money, then I have no advice.

[porkchop87]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

If you are not willing to spend the money, then I have no advice.

How much would I have to be willing to spend?

[northernguitarguy]

I would altogether avoid records from the last decade they were pressed, at least for major label stuff. Big record companies were using crap-quality vinyl and it was common to get ones that skipped, especially if they received a lot of play. EPs (extended plays) on smaller labels may be an exception (I had a great copy of Bela Lugosi's Dead and I thought the slight crackles blended in nicely).

[Matt_21]

Talk to NorthWinds on here.
He seems to know his stuff.

[brandonman]

Originally Posted by Nicky

You could find some good records here...

Reminds me of Vintage Vinyl on the Delmar Loop of St. Louis. That's *one* thing we've got over all you other suckers!

[7gtop]

New ones are a fair buck , used ones are around .
Both are not easily acquired today .
SKATTERBRANE has nailed this .
The last guy that marveled at my collection and stereo ,
tossed his lunch upon learning of the details ( money ) .

Oh ....... He had found a Thorens table , at his pop's house .......
the table is still there .

[EasyAce]

Suddenly I'm feeling nostalgic for Times Square Stores (TSS)---they had the no-questions-asked best record department, it beat the living hell out of regular record stores for keeping good stock of vintage releases and for imports as well. When I got the blues bite from B.B. King and others in 1969, I hit TSS running . . . and within a year built up a deep blues library---LPs and singles (I was only then learning how many blues singles didn't make it to LPs) just shopping there. I never knew any other department store with a record department that deep.

[northernguitarguy]

Jimmy Page best scene from It Might Get Loud - YouTube

Jimmy Page best scene from It Might Get Loud - YouTube

[Nicky]

Originally Posted by brandonman

Reminds me of Vintage Vinyl on the Delmar Loop of St. Louis. That's *one* thing we've got over all you other suckers!

This is where I got all my records in the 60s - Dallas Music House at NorthPark Mall.

[Skintaster]

I guess I'd educate myself on the market, if I were going to collect "valuable" and rare stuff. I used to be a very serious record collector - Especially rare punk rock, and some of that stuff goes for big bucks. A lot of it's also been bootlegged, and some of them are pretty good ones that would fool a lot of people.

Same applies to most genres of music on vinyl.

[yawny]

Originally Posted by porkchop87

How much would I have to be willing to spend?

Vinyl is an audiophile medium of listening nowadays. You can spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on "mid-range" turntables, speaker and amps.

If you really want to get into it, see how much you're willing to spend, look up some reviews or ask around some forums, and decide whether it's for you.

That being said, old stuff works fine and I run through an 80's Hitachi amp. It sounds fine, but it's a hobby that you can spend a ton of money on.

As they say in an audiophile forum that I visit infrequently: "welcome, sorry about your wallet"

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

i'm a record collector.... it's an expensive hobby, but then again, i'm only getting stuff that had pretty few copies pressed. it's also a great investment, 2 weeks ago I sold 6 records for 500 bucks that i paid probably 200 for (Integrity In Contrast of Sin 7" LOT! RARE! 1ST PRESSES, PRE-RELEASE! ALL VERSION | eBay). the next day i sold a record for 60 bucks that i paid 20 for. i had a NAD thanks to those sales. trading is also a fun scene.

[Phoenix59]

If you're not going into this as an audiophile, try checking local pawn shops. You never know, they might have a turntable that's been collecting dust.

[Skintaster]

Try to find any speciality record stores in your town or city. A couple of the ones near me that specialize in rare vinyl (And let's face it, almost all of it's getting "rare" these days) also sell old reconditioned turntables.

[dem00n]

Garage sales, they can be your best friend.
The records you can find in garage sales can be complete crap to gold.
If you see a good pair of speakers, buy them to. Don't be stupid and not buy a pair of JBL L100's for 20 bucks.
Do research!

I would also like the mention that you can find "dads" high quality audiophile stuff in the most unexpected places. Pawn shops, thrift stores, good will and even on the side of the road. Some dude found two McIntosh amps on the side of the road, worked just fine...

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

craigslist electronic section and goodwill/salvation army for turntables/hi fis

[chromehunter]

I collect records but I'm not a audiofile.I just do it for fun and I like the music and right now my three young boys and I have about 8 feet of records. If you live near a major city there should be alot of used record stores that you should be able to find some good cheep records. Not all new records are bad !! unless your a Cork Snifer. I have less then a thousand dollars into my stereo. Pioneer pl-520 turntable [1980] $180 ebay , a beautiful Pioneer SX 950 receiver [1978-79] $200 ebay ,Cerwin Vega D9 speakers [1990] free needed a refoam , Speaker Lab 6 speakers free from a friend look like ass sound amazing [1976] , 2 Sansui SP 2000 [1970] and 2 SP 2002 [1968] speakers $300 Craigslist and my latest girl is a Sansui 8080 receiver [1978] $125 Craigslist.

You don't need to spend a ton of money you just need to learn what to look for and were. I may not have the best stereo but it will beat the snot out of anything that you could spend thousands on at bestbuy or store's like it and it will blow my neighbors windows out if I want it to. BTW. vintage gear just looks way cooler then thoughs little black boxes.

Try Audiokarma.org the boys over there will set you on the right path.

[Emmitt Fitzhume]

A good cartridge is the most important part of a turntable.

[Who]

"Collect" like a "collector of things that who looking to build a fine-valuable collection"? Or "collect" like "have a bunch-of-similar-items-in-one-place"?

Start by realizing that most of us who have vinyl "collections" are in the second group, and the only reason we have vinyl is... that was the only way to buy music back then.

Don't get hung up on having fine things. Sure, if you can have a good needle that won't ruin your records too much... nice. But we never worried about these things. We put on the record, and cranked it up. If it was too loud, the record would skip, so we'd tape a quarter to the cartridge arm!

Just get some records on the turntable, and start playing. Most important...... LISTEN.

LISTENing is the lost art. Not background-music, not playing-while-doing-something-esle. Just listen.

And.... when you come across a stack of cheap used vinyl, buy a few that just have cool album art, and give them a listen. Don't like 'em, you're out a couple of bucks.

Enjoy the journey!

[mgenet]

Originally Posted by northernguitarguy

I would altogether avoid records from the last decade they were pressed, at least for major label stuff. Big record companies were using crap-quality vinyl and it was common to get ones that skipped, especially if they received a lot of play. EPs (extended plays) on smaller labels may be an exception (I had a great copy of Bela Lugosi's Dead and I thought the slight crackles blended in nicely).

Back before the 90's the USA record companies were recycling their vinyl and it was poor quality compared to imports I would buy. You could see the
difference, fell the difference and hear the difference.

If one is going to collect; then you won't want to play them much.
Maybe once or twice to assess their worth then put them in
archival plastic sleeves, in dry, low light conditions.

Pick a genre or a specific sub-genre or band. Start there.
Then, have fun searching for those gems.

[V Man]

If you want to collect, seek out Japanese and preferably German pressings of popular releases. There are still record specialty stores in cities. I was in an amazing one on Thursday in Fort Worth.

[slapshot]

Originally Posted by northernguitarguy

I would altogether avoid records from the last decade they were pressed, at least for major label stuff. Big record companies were using crap-quality vinyl

those 220g virgin vinyl re-issues from a lot of labels were nice though

[nauc]

i wouldnt get into vinyl unless i was a hardcore audiophile with highend gear.. tube amps etc

[ed1996]

Originally Posted by ptate

Records go "shhk, krrk, wwwrrk, shhk, shhk, shhk" before the music begins.... So don't think it's the turntable or amp thats at fault..... Kids forget these things....!!!

They scratch easily, can be made into plant pots and the cardboard sleeves can get damaged by damp conditions.....

They're great..!!

So true!

[DLChance]

I have a 3-foot tall stack of vinyl albums, from all kinds of sounds and styles from the '70s, with southern rock being the most common, and I'd gladly help the first guy who pays me ten bucks for all of them load them into his car.

I understand there's a certain "warmth," a distinctive "depth" some audiophiles hear in a well-preserved vinyl record, but all I can notice after listening to CDs for so long is the constant hiss of a needle in a groove you get with vinyl.

Maybe it's just me, but the convenience of digital sound storage, and the digital preservation of vintage recordings, just can't be beaten.

But, again, that's just my opinion.