Beat logo

What You Should Know Before You Begin Collecting Vinyl

Vinyl is making a comeback. Whether it is for nostalgia, or just enjoying a different format of music, the hobby is expensive, addicting, and rewarding if music is more than just enjoying spotify on your way to work.

By Rachel DawidowiczPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
Like
Record collecting is more than just collecting wax, you will soon become a historian of preserved music, and even recordings from the past.

My first two LP's were purchased in April 2014. Four years ago I would never have imagined having almost 300 albums, almost 100 45's and even a couple 78's. Record digging has become more than a passion for me, but a lifestyle where I discovered I am more than a collector, but a historian of a long chapter of music history that shaped civilization and humanity. Here are a few things you should know if you decide you want to begin collecting these artifacts.

There is more than one type of vinyl.

With the recent vinyl resurgence, many stores such as Barnes and Noble began to sell vinyl. The most common one you've probably seen is the first one on the left. This is a 33, which means it spins at 33 revolutions per minute, it is also known as an LP (Long Play). The middle is a 78, one of the earliest forms of vinyl, which was introduced in the early 20th century, and often had country, jazz and classical recorded and pressed into the grooves.

And the last one on the right is called a 45, also known as a 7 inch, and has a single song on each side, just like the 78, except it spins at 45 revolutions per minute. This one was introduced to the public by RCA on March 31, 1949. All three can be found in record stores today, the only difference between the 45 and other two formats, the 45 was used in jukeboxes in the 1950's and they require an adapter which most modern-day record players include with the packaging.

You'll become addicted.

Once you buy your first album and put it on a turntable, there is no turning back. With the right equipment, you'll hear that the sound quality is much different than what you hear through a pair of earbuds. The sound is warmer and richer.

The older the album, the more wear you hear. The crackles and pops from aged vinyl gives it a story and its own personality. It's something MP3 files lack, and something new pressings lack as well.

You'll become obsessed with organization.

You've already spent a decent amount on a few albums (unless you love used vinyl, you'll spend less on more albums). Now it is time to organize. You will want to easily find an album to put on the turntable, so whether you choose to do by artist then album, or album year along with artist, you will figure out a way to organize it and make it neat. Not everyone has this system but most do, and many become religious about how their system works.

You'll always have something on the table.

Whether it is a blues album, or a 2000 pop punk classic you'll always have something on your table. You'll become more aware of the sound, and will spend hundreds on bettering your system. It will happen, no matter what you tell yourself. You'll strive to get the best sound possible.

Like any addiction, it always comes with a price.

If you decide to begin a record collection, just know it becomes expensive. As you begin to dig in boxes, garages, dollar bins, and used record shelves, the price piles up. However you'll find yourself running home, and being unable to wait to place the album under the needle.

Final Thoughts

Vinyl is different. It is a expensive, amazing, and worth the hunt for the album you want. Used albums contain history that new pressings and MP3's just can't offer. A physical copy of a historical artifact preserved in grooves that cannot be edited or altered. Only damaged by a scratch scuff and general wear as the years go on. Once you begin collecting, you involuntarily become a historian of many chapters of human history.

vinyl
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.