The Vinyl Dilemma

Choosing records on a tight budget: the science, the method, the madness

Photo by Joyce G on Unsplash

Imagine you are at a record store, meandering about, not feeling particularly inspired… until you spot two albums you really want.

But, like, really.

There’s a catch, though. You can only get one.

One must go

Personally, I would always try to get both records and save on other things (yes, including food).

However, for purposes of this post, and to spice things up, let’s make the following assumptions:

• You want both records equally.

• They are identically or very similarly priced.

• You really cannot afford to get both.

• Bargaining, stealing, or asking if you can pay later is a no-go at this store.

• You must pick one (i.e. you cannot leave the shop empty-handed).

• The records are in equal, or very similar, condition (let’s assume VG, or Very Good, which tends to be the most ambiguous grading).

Tough enough? Don’t sweat it. We got this.

The courtship ritual

The first thing you need to do is flirt with the records.

What do you mean flirting with the records? Get a room, man!

I know it sounds weird, but hear me out.

You see those hungry beasts sizing potential candidates up at a nightclub? Head to toe, sideways glance, inspecting them like prey?

Well, this is what you need to do with your records. Have a good look at them. Feel them. Check for marks, bent corners, scribbles.

Read the small print. What edition is it? Country? Year? Is it a promo, maybe?

The first two things you need to focus on are the record’s real condition (beyond the grading) and whether there’s a rarity factor going on.

Photo by Sebastian Cyrman on Unsplash

You need to remove yourself from a situation where you pit titles against each other in isolation.

Don’t think Michael Jackson’s Thriller versus AC/DC’s Back in Black. Instead, look at them for what they are on the most clinical level: a reissue versus an original, a UK versus a US pressing, one with slightly bent corners but pristine vinyl as opposed to an immaculate jacket but with scuff marks on the record.

They may be similarly priced and graded, but no two records are ever the same.

I can hear all the Facebook and Reddit warriors clamouring “You’re thinking too much! Vinyl should be about enjoying.” Well, do you like overpaying for your records? Thought so. Let’s carry on, then.

Fostering competition

Now that you have scrutinised the records, make them compete. Not against each other, though. With themselves.

How does each album fare against other versions of itself? This is where all the research and browsing I always encourage you to do should come in handy.

For example, how often do you see this exact same edition of this exact same record available for purchase? How many other editions are there, and could you realistically get a comparable one at a similar price, including any relevant shipping costs?

The specific version in front of you—is this the exact edition you wanted? Or would you have ideally chosen another? If this is not your preferred version, how easily could you get it?

To make this exercise even harder, I’ve chosen two of the best-selling records of all time, both released in the early 80s. While they cater to predominantly different audiences and there is some discrepancy in the number of releases available, their prices tend to be uncannily similar (both highs and lows).

Don’t believe me? See for yourself: Thriller / Back in Black

In real life, one record will typically be more likely to stand out, either because it’s generally rarer or typically more expensive than the other.

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Location, location, location

Related to the point above, but deserving its own separate section, is your specific context.

Where are you? What country? What city? Which store?

Is this your usual hangout or are you new here? Are you passing by? Does it make sense for you to spend your hard-earned cash on this specific edition of this record here?

Think how likely you are to stumble upon these records in this location and/or in your usual location (if different).

Contextualising will help you assess the two different opportunities on their own merits.

To push things even more to the extreme, let’s assume these two versions in front of you are both the exact edition you would ideally want to own.

If you were to go for record A, how easy would it be for you to get record B (the exact same version you are about to leave behind) at a similar price in a similar condition in your usual location?

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Gut feeling

Hopefully, this brainstorming exercise will have given you some helpful pointers and techniques to narrow down the choice and make informed decisions.

However, when it comes to your vinyl passion, always remember to listen to your gut feeling, especially if you are an experienced collector and have a lot of browsing history behind you.

What does your heart tell you? You don’t want to overpay for records, but you deserve to be happy.

Clinical eyes and a sharp mind are essential tools that can help you solve impossible puzzles, but your intuition is the fuel that powers it all.

Vinyl sits at the crossroads of the technical and emotional realms. Successful collectors know how to bridge the gap between the two.

Do you have a specific method to crack or narrow down tough choices between records? See you in the comments.

Thanks for reading/listening. Happy spinning!