iTunes looks unsteady and CDs are pretty much dead. But vinyl is making a welcome return with a 26.8% increase in sales year after year. And with the launch of HD Vinyl, it doesn’t look like things are slowing down. Although more contemporary artists like Liam Gallagher and Amy Winehouse reign over the physical album charts, a lot more people are looking for the older classics. But where does one begin? Well, right here of course.
Building a Timeless 1960s and 1970s Vinyl Collection
If it’s in bad condition, it’s not worth a lot.
If the record is looking a bit like a Clockwork Orange victim, chances are it’s not worth any money. Deep scratches give the records a horrid noise and not that crackle that you love so much. And dirt… the dirt on records is so resistant that only a VPI vacuum cleaner can get rid of it.
The jacket is also essential. If it’s ripped and mouldy, you can bet your ass it’s not gonna be worth as much. Even if the vinyl is clean. Most collectors online will determine the condition of a record by the Goldmine grading standards and would only recommend buying vinyl with a VG+ grade or higher. This means that the record will play well without any distortion.
You’re going to get ripped off online.
It’s less of a gamble to buy vinyl is the local record shop. You may have to pay a little more but you can see the condition with your own eyes and judge whether it’s worth what they’re selling it for. Plus, if you get home and realise it’s faulty, you can take it back. It’s worth building up a raport with the shop too. Though you might not believe it, talking to a fellow human and not over the internet will gain you the most benefits. The shop may let you know when they’re bringing in new stock and help you build your record collection. Then again, they might be a bunch of cunts but that’s not usually the case.
You could also check the charity shops, boot sales and second hand shops. Most of the time it’s a load of poop but on that rare occasion, you might be able to find a real gem. If you’re looking for recent reissues, Urban Outfitters is one of the best bricks and mortar stores for current releases. And of course the dribble of HMV stores that are still around. And where possible, listen to the record before you buy it.
Of course, you can have a look online. Amazon, Ebay and Discogs have a vast collection for you to endlessly scroll through. The only problem is that you can’t inspect the condition of the record. Generally, most records are in worse condition than what they’re listed as. Make sure the seller has some good reviews before splashing the cash.
An original is worth more.
The pressings can be quite complex, but just like vintage clothing, it’s something you’ll recognise by the style.
Original ’60s records were quite thick, both the record and the jacket (although UK jackets were thin and glossy). The record might have a street address and the label will look slightly dated but the sleeve will be the bigger give away. The sleeve should contain albums from the same time period that it was pressed. ’60s & ’70s records will never have a barcode on the jacket and if it’s pressed in mono, it’s definitely an original pressing. Mono wasn’t regularly pressed after 1968.
But why are these dusty old records worth so much? Generally, people think they sound and feel better. They contain details to the artwork like lyric sheets and textures on the jacket. Record companies dropped these features in later years due to the expense.
High demand artists like The Beatles will cost a lot of money for original pressing and even in some cases, thousands of pounds. Especially if John Lennon has signed it. Always bear in mind the popularity of artists when purchasing.
Granny’s old record collection sucks.
Although your grandmother’s old collection of opera, classical, composers and film soundtracks may have meant something to her, they don’t mean anything to anyone else. Every record store has their own tastes but generally, they stock jazz or anything from the ’60s and so on. My advice would be to keep them somewhere safe, in the hope that there will be some sort of resurgence… but maybe that’s wishful thinking.
If you think you have inherited some decent records but would rather sell them to get some records you actually like, record shops will happily take a look and exchange them for something of equal value. Most record shops won’t pay less than £1 for a record. Generally, a shop’s sole purpose is a good inventory. So if they want your records, they won’t let you leave without offering you as much as they can.
Online, most people head to eBay. Although this seems ideal, if you don’t already have an account without any reviews, it might be a little tough. Unless you have a super rare record, then chances are it might not sell, or it won’t sell for a great price.
Pay what you think it’s worth.
If you think that a Led Zeppelin first pressing is worth a tenner, then ask to pay for a tenner. But always consider how many you think are around, if it’s popular and the pressing. And never forget the condition. Most vintage vinyl are priced around £5 to £25 but rare copies of high demand records of ’60s & ’70s artists can go up super high. But bands like Yes, Genesis and Aerosmith can be found for as low as £2. If you really are unsure, sites like PopSike and Discogs offer a resource for checking what the vinyl is worth.
Nice article on record collecting. May I mention there are other interesting sites to research about the value of music items, such as http://valueyourmusic.com ?