How I learned to stop worrying and love record collecting again.

[El Pee]

There was a local craigslist ad for "over 1000" 45s at an asking price of $150 for the whole lot. With numbers like that I am intrigued. After speaking with the guy, he told me it was mostly from the 70s and mostly pop music. So I had visions of boxes full of Tony Orlando and Dawn singles and I decided to pass. Well, weeks later the ad was still up. Curiosity got the better of me and I set off to see them. I was right. There were lots of Tony Orlando and Dawn singles, along with John Denver, Captain and Teneile and a bunch of stuff that wasn't necessarily bad, just stuff I didn't need.
After looking through I was able to find a small handful of singles that were worth keeping, including the song my wife and I danced to at our wedding... The seller was kind and generous enough to let me buy the small handful I wanted (at a higher per-disc price) rather than the whole lot, so it was a win/win.
But more importantly, I had fun. Going through all the boxes of records, it was like being a kid in a toy store, not knowing what the next pile or the next record would yield.. A gem? A dud? Only one way to find out. And that's one of my favorite aspects of record collecting, it's the hunt. If I really wanted the single of our wedding song, I could have gone to ebay years ago, but that's not the point. I wasn't looking for this record and it found me.
Lately life has had me so busy that it was nice to be able to spend a lot of time going through a lot of records... even if I only came home with a few.

 

[meggy]

IKWYM. I used to be all over the local 3 for $1 sales, yard sales, etc., getting there early and speed-searching through everything while worrying about leaving behind something potentially special and wondering if the guy ahead of you is going to get all the goodies.

Now I go hunting when I want to get away and relax and/or I'll stop by a thrift, GW, SA, if & when its convenient.

I think you get to a point when you realize you have more than you can ever possibly listen to, so being picky and getting the exact thing you want in the exact condition you want becomes the primary goal.

 

[toxcrusadr]

I think you get to a point when you realize you have more than you can ever possibly listen to, so being picky and getting the exact thing you want in the exact condition you want becomes the primary goal.

:thmbsp:

I also have a rule that every record is listened to at least once before being shelved in the stacks. That way I have another chance to put it in the OUT pile. I remember this when buying - do I actually want to listen to this record? If not, I don't buy. Unless the cover is hilarious and worth having for its own sake. To wit, I once passed up a record of Shriners playing Caribbean music - on the cover, in those hats, posing in the jungle with their steel drums and all. I don't know why I didn't buy it, I've been kicking myself ever since.

 

[BBRN]

:thmbsp:

I also have a rule that every record is listened to at least once before being shelved in the stacks. That way I have another chance to put it in the OUT pile. I remember this when buying - do I actually want to listen to this record? If not, I don't buy. Unless the cover is hilarious and worth having for its own sake. To wit, I once passed up a record of Shriners playing Caribbean music - on the cover, in those hats, posing in the jungle with their steel drums and all. I don't know why I didn't buy it, I've been kicking myself ever since.

Tox..I hate to hear about opportunities missed, and would like to present you with another...price seems right too! No affiliation.

****EBAY LINK REMOVED BY MODERATOR****

Seriously though, you guys all have good philosophies, and I totally agree.

 

[jhtstone]

I think you get to a point when you realize you have more than you can ever possibly listen to, so being picky and getting the exact thing you want in the exact condition you want becomes the primary goal.

I'm right there with you. That and finding something that just sounds interesting. No worries anymore; I have enough.

 

[toxcrusadr]

Tox..I hate to hear about opportunities missed, and would like to present you with another...price seems right too! No affiliation.

Seriously though, you guys all have good philosophies, and I totally agree.

That's it! Is that not the most wall-frame worthy cover ever?

BIN $29. And I passed it up at $2. I could have been rich. (BTW, the ebay link is actually not allowed outside D&S, but we'll assume you're posting as a identification resource - I have no intention of buying it at that price anyway! )

 

[ggrey]

Completely agree. Let me add that I also buy records for the pressing...one that I know will have great sound (Columbia 6eye, CBS UK pressings, 35mm, etc etc). As long as the price is right, I'll buy just about anything.

But yes, you gotta listen to them. I have to admit, I have about 25 or so I have not yet had the chance to spin. Maybe tonight...?

:yes: :scratch2:

 

[dudefromla]

Completely agree. Let me add that I also buy records for the pressing...one that I know will have great sound (Columbia 6eye, CBS UK pressings, 35mm, etc etc). As long as the price is right, I'll buy just about anything.

But yes, you gotta listen to them. I have to admit, I have about 25 or so I have not yet had the chance to spin. Maybe tonight...?

:yes: :scratch2:

I buy records for their history as well. I just bought a Springsteen "Born to Run" with the label on the back of names missing when they were printed. For that reason I know this is close to a first pressing.
I also buy them for nostalgic reason, albums my folks had, albums we had when I was a kid etc.

 

[Ken Boyd]

Completely agree. Let me add that I also buy records for the pressing...one that I know will have great sound (Columbia 6eye, CBS UK pressings, 35mm, etc etc). As long as the price is right, I'll buy just about anything.

But yes, you gotta listen to them. I have to admit, I have about 25 or so I have not yet had the chance to spin. Maybe tonight...?

:yes: :scratch2:

25 that's all? I have not idea how many I have that I have yet to listen to, but I know its in the thousands. And its not because they are bad albums its just that for so many years I keep finding loads of great LPs that I wan't to listen to so I buy them with plans of listening to them but before I do, another group arrives. I keep thinking the well will dry soon, but it still seems to provide plenty of interesting selections. I post my LP's regularly on the music threads, most of the times, the LP I post, it was the first time I ever heard the album, and for the majority it will be the last time for quite awhile. For it to get in line for a second spin, will prove to be quite a while.

 

[ggrey]

25 that's all? I have not idea how many I have that I have yet to listen to, but I know its in the thousands. And its not because they are bad albums its just that for so many years I keep finding loads of great LPs that I wan't to listen to so I buy them with plans of listening to them but before I do, another group arrives. I keep thinking the well will dry soon, but it still seems to provide plenty of interesting selections. I post my LP's regularly on the music threads, most of the times, the LP I post, it was the first time I ever heard the album, and for the majority it will be the last time for quite awhile. For it to get in line for a second spin, will prove to be quite a while.

I would call that vinyl prioritizing mixed with a twist of - be ready for any change to come quickly.... Always having new music right at your fingertips 24/7

Excellent methodology Ken! :thmbsp: