The art of collecting vinyl: please just let us do

[scooter_phx]

I still have some vinyl but the turntables are all gone to Goodwill.  I still have Tatum boxes on Pablo - both the solo and group masterpieces.  I also have a Savoy Bird box.  I honestly don't really know what to do with them.  I still have about 750 cds and some digital transfers to flac.  I'll probably let my heirs throw them away; something I just can't do.  I guess I could sell them but shipping is probably more expensive than the boxes are worth.  So, they sit on my shelf waiting to be spun one more time.  Sad.

[Holy Ghost]

On 1/3/2026 at 10:48 AM, Pim said:

So many threads ultimately end up bashing vinyl and vinyl enthusiasts. Perhaps it would be helpful to have a separate thread for this, where everyone can vent their deepest frustrations about buying vinyl?
 

Let me start by trying to explain why I personally enjoy collecting it. Let me make this clear: there are hardly any rational reasons to buy vinyl, except perhaps the fact that you can resell it later for more money. Vinyl is expensive, easily damaged, and takes up a huge amount of space. These are precisely the arguments you're bombarded with as a vinyl enthusiast.
 

But... buying vinyl has nothing to do with rational thinking. It's more about feeling and emotion. And that's where it has so much more value for me compared to streaming and even CDs (although I definitely prefer buying those to streaming). I love browsing through my collection, putting on a record, sitting down in front of it, and reading the back cover. The whole moment has value in itself. After some investment, I also have, in my opinion, beautiful sound. The covers: for me, they're often a piece of art! A beautiful gadget. Then there's the hunt for records: I love rummaging through the bins, sometimes finding nothing, but other times finding exactly that rare record you were looking for. Or suddenly seeing that hard-to-find record pop up on Discogs! The whole hunt is part of the hobby. Then a quick clean, a new cover, and some serious spinning.

As with all forms of collecting, it's a matter of feeling. Streaming doesn't do any of that for me: it symbolizes our modern, rational, hyper-efficient, and hurried society. CDs already have much more emotional value for me. Besides, I always want to own my music.

Other than increasing value, there are no rational arguments for collecting coins, stamps, pins, Disney characters, or model cars. But why should I judge them the way people often do here about vinyl collecting? Do I rationally understand why someone pays 100 euros for a stamp? No, of course not, but when I see how much enjoyment they get from it, I suddenly understand.

There are a few side effects of the vinyl hype that I do understand can be annoying:

1. It's a hype. I don't like hypes either: they produce hipsters in lumberjack shirts who buy vinyl for five years and then ruin it on a trendy record player in a 50-euro suitcase. They mainly drive up prices, and in five years they move on to another hype.

2. There's no CD version: no problem for me, but if CD is your format, I certainly understand the irritation!

3. Sometimes they reissue an album and only release a heavily overpriced version.

All understandable annoyances, but no reason to constantly express in so many words how stupid vinyl lovers are. If a FLAC file or a Spotify playlist makes you incredibly happy: go for it! But let me enjoy my hobby.

I strongly suggest all vinyl hate comments could be placed here from now on so we could leave them out of the threads on highly enjoyable new vinyl reissue programs. 

Word dude. I totally respect your opinion. It's just different cirumstances, different times for me. I come across some jacket art I like I find at Half Price Books, I frame it and hang it up in the billiard room. Otherwise, I listen to CD's now. 

[paulfromcamden]

1 hour ago, Big Beat Steve said:

I agree with you all the way with the price excesses of recently re-reissued NEW vinyl. At the price I see them in the racks at the few local record shops that still are there as well as at a record stall at a local concert they leave me cold and I find it easy to bypass them.

Obviously depends on the venue but just to note that in small venues the records and CDs (and tapes!) on the merch table are often the artist copies supplied to the musicians by the label. I've done the merch table in those types of venues a bunch of times and know how much the musicians appreciate any income it brings - those guys often aren't making a lot of money.

In a way it's another benefit of physical releases - it's very hard to sell a download at a gig!

[Big Beat Steve]

22 minutes ago, paulfromcamden said:

Obviously depends on the venue but just to note that in small venues the records and CDs (and tapes!) on the merch table are often the artist copies supplied to the musicians by the label. I've done the merch table in those types of venues a bunch of times and know how much the musicians appreciate any income it brings - those guys often aren't making a lot of money.

In a way it's another benefit of physical releases - it's very hard to sell a download at a gig!

 

Actually, what I was referring to are REISSUES on small to tiny labels geared towards collectors. All of them taking advantage of European P.D. laws. So not quite comparable with the examples you (certainly correctly) desribe.  And prices of 18 EUR on up per LP (as seen the other day) for most of them just isn't a level that I am going to bite at anymore. Particularly since you are likely to find that a good part of what you get on these records you already have on other collector's labels (re)issued earlier. 

Edited Sunday at 05:31 PM by Big Beat Steve

[clifford_thornton]

I think there's valid criticism to be had on, for example, the excising of extra tracks from a facsimile reissue; could those not be included as a download, at least? 

Mostly what I have noticed are comments derisive of those who are hunting down original pressings. The collector bug is one I've had, so it's highly relatable, even if I don't have the resources (space, time, cash) to chase down the handful of spendy gap sealers once deemed necessary. I think most of us, at least on this forum, are deeply into the music and owning some sort of vintage/early issue is the cherry on top. I have certainly noticed the prevalence of "trophy hunter"-types in the broader record collecting community, which is not my bag at all, but every hobby has some level of that behavior. There are certainly worse things one could be doing with money.

[paulfromcamden]

1 minute ago, Big Beat Steve said:

 

Actually, what I was referring to are REISSUES on small to tiny labels geared towards collectors. All of them taking advantage of European P.D. laws. So not quite comparable with the examples you (certainly correctly) desribe.  And prices of 18 EUR on up (as seen the other day) for most of them just isn't a level that I am going to bit at anymore. Particularly since you are likely to find that a good part of what you get on these records you already have on other collector's labels (re)issued earlier. 

Fair point Steve 👍

[clifford_thornton]

those PD vinyl reissues, sourced from MP3s, are very unappealing. They don't usually sound that good and they're not cheap either.

[paulfromcamden]

5 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said:

I think there's valid criticism to be had on, for example, the excising of extra tracks from a facsimile reissue; could those not be included as a download, at least? 

Mostly what I have noticed are comments derisive of those who are hunting down original pressings. The collector bug is one I've had, so it's highly relatable, even if I don't have the resources (space, time, cash) to chase down the handful of spendy gap sealers once deemed necessary. I think most of us, at least on this forum, are deeply into the music and owning some sort of vintage/early issue is the cherry on top. I have certainly noticed the prevalence of "trophy hunter"-types in the broader record collecting community, which is not my bag at all, but every hobby has some level of that behavior. There are certainly worse things one could be doing with money.

I kind of resemble that remark 😃 Though in truth I'm a lightweight - I can't think of a time I spent more than £25 on a secondhand record. Partly finances and partly because the condition of so many records is graded somewhat 'optimistically'. Even buying from a shop or fair it can be easy to miss damage.

But I still love hunting for old records and if I see a nice original Prestige or Contemporary or whatever for a tenner I'm probably going to buy it. It's fun and those records sound great.

[felser]

2 hours ago, Pim said:

@Kevin Bresnahan maybe I used too strong words Kevin, sorry for that. I don't experience hate and reaching out to a moderator would be a case of overreacting. It's the disdain that mjazzg mentioned. It's hard too look up all those individual cases trough the search mode (i wouldnt even know where to start) but it has happened often here. Ken Dryden's comment at the Sun Ra reissue thread was the last one that made me decide to debate it here. It happened way more than that case as mjazzg also clearly notified and after so many repeated times it started to irritate me. Some of them really made you feel like you're a complete lunatic buying records on vinyl and as I tried to point out with my thread starting post here I don't think people buying vinyl records are stupid but just enjoying one of the most fun hobbies around. 

Is youre dissapointment really that big? I'd say it goes very far to ban all vinyl talk from a music forum (except for that small subforum) only because some people around don't like the format. There are also digital only releases and of course I sometimes feel annoyed about them but that feeling goes away in about 5 minutes.

Nobody is trying to ban vinyl talk.  I gave a suggestion on how to avoid comments that do not fit your narrow definition of what is acceptable.  Post what you want where you want, but grant others the same rights.

[Big Beat Steve]

36 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said:

I think there's valid criticism to be had on, for example, the excising of extra tracks from a facsimile reissue; could those not be included as a download, at least? 

Mostly what I have noticed are comments derisive of those who are hunting down original pressings. The collector bug is one I've had, so it's highly relatable, even if I don't have the resources (space, time, cash) to chase down the handful of spendy gap sealers once deemed necessary. I think most of us, at least on this forum, are deeply into the music and owning some sort of vintage/early issue is the cherry on top. I have certainly noticed the prevalence of "trophy hunter"-types in the broader record collecting community, which is not my bag at all, but every hobby has some level of that behavior. There are certainly worse things one could be doing with money.

I get what you mean about those extra tracks. And you've got a point there.
BUT ... did those who complain about these missing extra tracks on LP reissues also complain just as loudly - or possibly louder, given the frequency of the problem - even back when there were (and probably - in intervals - still are) tons and tons of JAPANESE CD facsimile reissues of 50s jazz LPs that included exactly the original tracks and that was all, resulting in dismal playing times? (Savoy Jazz/Nippon-Columbia CDs or Solid Records/VMG Salsoul/Verse Music CDs for example, anyone? )
I have  a vague recollection that when this point was raised the usual reply was something like "the Japanese are sticklers for originiality of the contents, track sequence, cover art reproduction and so on, except that it's on CD because that is the state of the manufacturing art - THEIR art - so we just have to live with it, and besides, "thou shalt not criticize Japanese reissuers because they are a boon to us who want to get reissues at all." 
In short, I am not even accusing anyone of double standards, but it's just so that you cannot please everyone all of the time, it seems. Because no doubt some also may prefer facsimile VINYL reissues - like Fresh Sounds a.o. already did them in the 80s.

Edited Sunday at 06:09 PM by Big Beat Steve

[clifford_thornton]

1 minute ago, paulfromcamden said:

I kind of resemble that remark 😃 Though in truth I'm a lightweight - I can't think of a time I spent more than £25 on a secondhand record. Partly finances and partly because the condition of so many records is graded somewhat 'optimistically'. Even buying from a shop or fair it can be easy to miss damage.

But I still love hunting for old records and if I see a nice original Prestige or Contemporary or whatever for a tenner I'm probably going to buy it. It's fun and those records sound great.

bargain trophies are the best kind.

[JSngry]

Objectively, "more money for less music" is not a value judgement, it's just a fact (when it is). If you care about that fact, fine. And if you don't, fine.

[Big Beat Steve]

20 minutes ago, paulfromcamden said:

I kind of resemble that remark 😃 Though in truth I'm a lightweight - I can't think of a time I spent more than £25 on a secondhand record. Partly finances and partly because the condition of so many records is graded somewhat 'optimistically'. Even buying from a shop or fair it can be easy to miss damage.

But I still love hunting for old records and if I see a nice original Prestige or Contemporary or whatever for a tenner I'm probably going to buy it. It's fun and those records sound great.

On occasion I did and do spend more than 25 EUR on a secondhand record in recent years. Including quite a bit more (though still well within the 2-digit realm)  if it was never-reissued originals I had had my eyes on ever since I started collecting. 
OTOH, as for condition and the icing on the cake or bargain trophies that Clifford Thornton appropriately referred to, I am not going to list all the originals I scored at 1 to 2 EUR each in recent months and did not hesitate grabbing even though condition often was just a "solid VG" and not better (they do play through, often surprisingly quietly, and even on more "worn" copies background ticks or crackle NEVER overwhelm the music anywhere), nor make excuses for buying them in the first place.  Not even for the occasional "cheesecake cover" originals just for the amusement of the covers at that price. (Talk about collectors' quirks ... )

Edited Sunday at 06:06 PM by Big Beat Steve

[Stonewall15]

I really appreciate the preceding very intellectual comments. In my simple opinion I love CDs and CDRs because I can play them on by car CD player. New cars do not have CD players so I will keep my car and its CD player until they dissolve.    

[jlhoots]

My "completist" mentality went away years ago. BUT - that's just me. More power to you if you love the quest.

[optatio]

1 hour ago, Stonewall15 said:

I really appreciate the preceding very intellectual comments. In my simple opinion I love CDs and CDRs because I can play them on by car CD player. New cars do not have CD players so I will keep my car and its CD player until they dissolve.    

Me too 😂 and I love my kitchen radio with CD-player ...

[clifford_thornton]

2 hours ago, Stonewall15 said:

I really appreciate the preceding very intellectual comments. In my simple opinion I love CDs and CDRs because I can play them on by car CD player. New cars do not have CD players so I will keep my car and its CD player until they dissolve.    

yep, my 2020 Subaru has a CD player and I will drive it until it's turned to dust.

[JSngry]

I'm in no hurry, but loading up a flash drive for a car ride or 20 doesn't seem too onerous a proposition if it comes to that.

[Ken Dryden]

At least no one was promoting collecting 8 tracks and cassettes, two flimsy, unreliable formats. I actually see that cassettes of recordings long available are being made once more.

[Big Beat Steve]

6 hours ago, Ken Dryden said:

At least no one was promoting collecting 8 tracks and cassettes, two flimsy, unreliable formats. I actually see that cassettes of recordings long available are being made once more.

I've heard from my son (who is a lot into Heavy Metal) that newcomer bands in that music niche even in recent years have promoted their first recordings via CASSETTES at gigs and that there even has been a sort of small resurgence of this medium in these circles. Surprising - and certainly caused by a bit of "old school" or "retro" motivation too. Because, after all, doing CD-Rs of your music is an easy thing to do these days. (HOWEVER ... from what I heard from various sides in very recent years Heavy Metal seems to be another music style where vinyl is "in" and CDs are "out".)

[paulfromcamden]

The cassette revival is puzzling in some ways. I've bought cassette only releases in recent years. I have a tape deck but it's generally packed away so they're kind of a pain to play.

In some cases I've bought them just for the download code included. In some cases it's the completist collector thing.

I can kind of see the connection for metal because cassette was for many years how lots of bands self-released their music - I still have a handful of late 80s self-released death metal tapes. It seems like kind of a nostalgic move to release them today. But there's a lot of nostalgia in metal with 'old school' death metal being a genre in itself now.

Of course all this stuff is just messing around compared to paying £450 to get a Jerome Sabbagh album on reel to reel!

[gvopedz]

I have bought EPs (7-inch vinyls) directly from band members, but not because I collect EPs – instead, it’s just a small way to support the band.

[Dan Gould]

I think that asking that any negative comments about vinyl or vinyl reissues be kept to a dedicated thread is antithetical to the spirit of a discussion forum. I also had no idea that some members would be so sensitive of anything that harshes their vinyl mellow as to propose such a thing or would drift away from the forum because of such comments. I guess give and take isn't welcome in this sub-forum.

Since people will probably keep speaking their minds might I suggest a judicious use of the Ignore button?  Vinyl enthusiasts could mark those who aren't so enthusiastic to "Ignore" and then, in other forums, click "View Post" on topics that aren't likely to offend.

I for one will keep mostly ignoring the vinyl forum.

 

[kh1958]

21 hours ago, paulfromcamden said:

 

But I still love hunting for old records and if I see a nice original Prestige or Contemporary or whatever for a tenner I'm probably going to buy it. It's fun and those records sound great.

They sure do.

[clifford_thornton]

The prevalence of cassettes is in large part due to economics: they're cheap to produce and duplicate.