One thing I would add is that indie shops like you describe are a "magnet for tourists" only if you're in a locale that is also a magnet for tourists, like London, NYC, etc. The US college town I'm from does not get a ton of tourists aside from visiting high schoolers and their parents. We do have a great local record shop with a wood floor, posters all over the walls, and a proprietor who is an old hippy dude that loves to tell the story of him and his buddies trying to get to Woodstock but their van broke down somewhere in rural Pennsylvania and they had to ditch all their weed when the State Police came around to help them get a tow. It's one of my favorite places on God's green earth.
Thank you! Yes, what you say about tourists is true. They're also a magnet for "vinyl tourists", hence why the premium on the price of reissues of classics. Your local store, and particularly the proprietor, sound like a lot of fun!
So true what you say, Andres, about buying those 'nice to haves' and not ever getting round to buying the classics you know need be in your collection. Especially true when it comes to the temptation of something new vs investing in an old favourite that will definitely get some regular rotation... It's great to find new things, of course, but useful to have a mental benchmark of 'Would I rather buy this, or buy that thing I've been meaning to get for ages?'
Thank you, Rich! Prioritisation is everything. We very quickly go down the rabbit hole of the nice-to-haves while our essentials are still waiting. My nice-to-haves might be your essentials and vice versa, but the principle remains.
A lot of great advice here and I’ll be saving this to revisit when I begin my vinyl journey. I’ve purposely not really begun thinking in great depth about which albums I’d want in my collection although there are a few that come to mind.
I’m fully expecting to be doing a lot of my vinyl listening (and probably buying) alone and am fine with that. Perhaps when we find a new home it’ll have a little study/music room where I can listen to vinyl and read and write. We’ll see!
Thank you, Mark! I am glad you found these tips helpful, particularly as you will soon be embarking on your journey. I think having a rough idea is good enough in the beginning. Never lose sight of the “essentials”: the records you are already thinking about, the records you want to start with, because it’s easy to then get distracted by a million other releases that, while you might enjoy, may not be as important in your life. I’m excited about your adventure!
Since 2013 I’ve been on a journey to “enjoy the company of myself” like going to dinner or museums by myself and be okay with it, but some reason I never considered how often I’m by myself and loving it when I shop for records. I used to invite friends to come along only to learn that they were holding me back bc they didn’t want to excavate the entire store like me!
Glad to hear I’m not alone in this hehe. Great read as always!
Thank you so much, Kadrian! Yes, I hear you. The social aspect can be a double-edged sword sometimes. It’s great to celebrate it every now and then, but it’s also great to remember we’re on our own — and that’s therapeutic. Thanks again!
Do we really need to use the term "collection"? I mean if you have a large bookcase full of books,we don't really ever say "hey, look at my collection of books". We normally say something to the effect of "I like to read and I have some books" I don't keep vinyl because of collecting, I keep vinyl because I like music.
To me, the term collection means something that is displayed and not touched.
That’s interesting. I think we use it because Discogs uses it (wantlist and collection), at least that’s why I do. I use Discogs a lot, to check prices, note down changes (stuff I buy and want to buy) and more generally as reference material to check what was released when and where. But Discogs uses the terminology because, most probably, the terms were already widely used in general. I never felt there was a snobbish undertone to it. Not saying there is or isn’t. There are many Facebook groups that use it or variations of it (record collector, collect vinyl etc.).
I'd add that just because you used to have a record does not mean you need to buy that record again if you see it in a record store. A sentimental attachment to a record doesn't make it a good record, or one that you need to spin on vinyl. Our personal memories are not always (and in fact are usually not) linked to quality music. The shorter version of this: I bought a lot of crappy records back in the day, before I learned to discern good music from not-so-good music.
Also if you put your record colllection where the cat can reach it, sooner or later you'll regret it, because a shelf of records makes an excellent scratching post. 😶
Thank you! Very good point. Just because you used to have a record doesn’t mean you need it again. Our tastes and needs evolve, and priorities should shift accordingly.
I don't buy a lot from Discogs, but I am often wary of the NM or VG+ grade when I can't see it. Subjectivity goes out the window when somebody decides that for you, especially when it's paid for without being seen. As we have discussed before - a decent cleaning system and routine can bring records to life and make some decent/conservatively graded VG/VG+ albums virtually dead quiet or NM.
But I never buy a record with visible marks beyond the obvious light inner scuff. I've passed on a few rare funk & soul albums horribly eaten up by DJ scratching & spinbacks. Same with some 70s rock albums that were obviously victims of somebody high on methamphetamines strapping quarters to its shitty tonearm.
As you also rightfully point out, the stylus shouldn't be overlooked (nor cleaning it with a respected cleaner). It is a crucial part of the entire system, and there is no quicker way to destroy it than playing a dirty LP in shite condition. And - research into the type of stylus is equally important. Some are brighter, others are warmer, some are more forgiving (quiet), while others pick everything up (sound in the groove and any potential flaws in the vinyl or dirt). A good example is on my Thorens TD-160. It is a floating platter with a bit of bounce, and it needs a stylus that locks into the groove. For my TT I have found the Ortofon 2M series a brilliant match (I upgraded to a 2M Bronze and can't see myself moving away from it).
Lol. I wish. I have an album from 1971 that looks super clean, very shiny, and literally no surface marks, but no matter how much I clean it there's a very noticeable snap, crackle, & pop in the quiet sections. I'm convinced it must just be a shitty pressing, but it's a German pressing, which usually has a great reputation.
Perhaps I need to try cleaning it with the wood glue method! JK! 😆
Solid points all around! I found myself nodding "yes" with each one. I love my local shop, but I'd say my buying there is 20% upstairs (new records) and 80% downstairs among the used records. That's where the magic is. I'm lucky that there's often good conversations to be had on both floors, but standing near someone as they find one of their holy grail records in the used racks is a feeling that's hard to beat.
As for social listening? The only time I'm listening with someone else is when my wife either picks something out to spin, or asks me to.
Thank you! I tend to visit my local indie stores for the experience first and foremost… but mostly for the bargains.
Listening to music with your significant other is always special. Mine “doesn’t mind”, which is great because I can choose whatever, and it’s also great because we never compete on that front 🤣
One thing I would add is that indie shops like you describe are a "magnet for tourists" only if you're in a locale that is also a magnet for tourists, like London, NYC, etc. The US college town I'm from does not get a ton of tourists aside from visiting high schoolers and their parents. We do have a great local record shop with a wood floor, posters all over the walls, and a proprietor who is an old hippy dude that loves to tell the story of him and his buddies trying to get to Woodstock but their van broke down somewhere in rural Pennsylvania and they had to ditch all their weed when the State Police came around to help them get a tow. It's one of my favorite places on God's green earth.
Thank you! Yes, what you say about tourists is true. They're also a magnet for "vinyl tourists", hence why the premium on the price of reissues of classics. Your local store, and particularly the proprietor, sound like a lot of fun!
Oh yea, whenever I go visit a big city finding a cool record shop is always on the itinerary
I love it! Mine happens to be right up the street from campus, which makes it all the more fun.
Nice, my shop is right across the main drag from campus. And even better, only a few blocks from my house. #collegetownlife
So true what you say, Andres, about buying those 'nice to haves' and not ever getting round to buying the classics you know need be in your collection. Especially true when it comes to the temptation of something new vs investing in an old favourite that will definitely get some regular rotation... It's great to find new things, of course, but useful to have a mental benchmark of 'Would I rather buy this, or buy that thing I've been meaning to get for ages?'
Thank you, Rich! Prioritisation is everything. We very quickly go down the rabbit hole of the nice-to-haves while our essentials are still waiting. My nice-to-haves might be your essentials and vice versa, but the principle remains.
A lot of great advice here and I’ll be saving this to revisit when I begin my vinyl journey. I’ve purposely not really begun thinking in great depth about which albums I’d want in my collection although there are a few that come to mind.
I’m fully expecting to be doing a lot of my vinyl listening (and probably buying) alone and am fine with that. Perhaps when we find a new home it’ll have a little study/music room where I can listen to vinyl and read and write. We’ll see!
Thank you, Mark! I am glad you found these tips helpful, particularly as you will soon be embarking on your journey. I think having a rough idea is good enough in the beginning. Never lose sight of the “essentials”: the records you are already thinking about, the records you want to start with, because it’s easy to then get distracted by a million other releases that, while you might enjoy, may not be as important in your life. I’m excited about your adventure!
Since 2013 I’ve been on a journey to “enjoy the company of myself” like going to dinner or museums by myself and be okay with it, but some reason I never considered how often I’m by myself and loving it when I shop for records. I used to invite friends to come along only to learn that they were holding me back bc they didn’t want to excavate the entire store like me!
Glad to hear I’m not alone in this hehe. Great read as always!
Thank you so much, Kadrian! Yes, I hear you. The social aspect can be a double-edged sword sometimes. It’s great to celebrate it every now and then, but it’s also great to remember we’re on our own — and that’s therapeutic. Thanks again!
What stylus are you rocking with nowadays Andres?
The AT-VMN95ML (Microlinear stylus from Audio Technica). I love how precise it is, especially in the inner grooves.
Do we really need to use the term "collection"? I mean if you have a large bookcase full of books,we don't really ever say "hey, look at my collection of books". We normally say something to the effect of "I like to read and I have some books" I don't keep vinyl because of collecting, I keep vinyl because I like music.
To me, the term collection means something that is displayed and not touched.
That’s interesting. I think we use it because Discogs uses it (wantlist and collection), at least that’s why I do. I use Discogs a lot, to check prices, note down changes (stuff I buy and want to buy) and more generally as reference material to check what was released when and where. But Discogs uses the terminology because, most probably, the terms were already widely used in general. I never felt there was a snobbish undertone to it. Not saying there is or isn’t. There are many Facebook groups that use it or variations of it (record collector, collect vinyl etc.).
I'd add that just because you used to have a record does not mean you need to buy that record again if you see it in a record store. A sentimental attachment to a record doesn't make it a good record, or one that you need to spin on vinyl. Our personal memories are not always (and in fact are usually not) linked to quality music. The shorter version of this: I bought a lot of crappy records back in the day, before I learned to discern good music from not-so-good music.
Also if you put your record colllection where the cat can reach it, sooner or later you'll regret it, because a shelf of records makes an excellent scratching post. 😶
Thank you! Very good point. Just because you used to have a record doesn’t mean you need it again. Our tastes and needs evolve, and priorities should shift accordingly.
Lol your cat sounds like a real character! 😻
I don't buy a lot from Discogs, but I am often wary of the NM or VG+ grade when I can't see it. Subjectivity goes out the window when somebody decides that for you, especially when it's paid for without being seen. As we have discussed before - a decent cleaning system and routine can bring records to life and make some decent/conservatively graded VG/VG+ albums virtually dead quiet or NM.
But I never buy a record with visible marks beyond the obvious light inner scuff. I've passed on a few rare funk & soul albums horribly eaten up by DJ scratching & spinbacks. Same with some 70s rock albums that were obviously victims of somebody high on methamphetamines strapping quarters to its shitty tonearm.
As you also rightfully point out, the stylus shouldn't be overlooked (nor cleaning it with a respected cleaner). It is a crucial part of the entire system, and there is no quicker way to destroy it than playing a dirty LP in shite condition. And - research into the type of stylus is equally important. Some are brighter, others are warmer, some are more forgiving (quiet), while others pick everything up (sound in the groove and any potential flaws in the vinyl or dirt). A good example is on my Thorens TD-160. It is a floating platter with a bit of bounce, and it needs a stylus that locks into the groove. For my TT I have found the Ortofon 2M series a brilliant match (I upgraded to a 2M Bronze and can't see myself moving away from it).
Thank you, Michael! I’m sure that, with your cleaning routine, you can turn those Fair or even Poor graded records into Near Mint!
Thanks also for your stylus insight!
Lol. I wish. I have an album from 1971 that looks super clean, very shiny, and literally no surface marks, but no matter how much I clean it there's a very noticeable snap, crackle, & pop in the quiet sections. I'm convinced it must just be a shitty pressing, but it's a German pressing, which usually has a great reputation.
Perhaps I need to try cleaning it with the wood glue method! JK! 😆
Mmm that’s weird. Yes I think it’s one of those for the wood glue method. I’ve never tried it, but if you do, let me know how it goes!
I'll leave that method to the YouTubers.
Solid points all around! I found myself nodding "yes" with each one. I love my local shop, but I'd say my buying there is 20% upstairs (new records) and 80% downstairs among the used records. That's where the magic is. I'm lucky that there's often good conversations to be had on both floors, but standing near someone as they find one of their holy grail records in the used racks is a feeling that's hard to beat.
As for social listening? The only time I'm listening with someone else is when my wife either picks something out to spin, or asks me to.
Thank you! I tend to visit my local indie stores for the experience first and foremost… but mostly for the bargains.
Listening to music with your significant other is always special. Mine “doesn’t mind”, which is great because I can choose whatever, and it’s also great because we never compete on that front 🤣