Vinyl records aren’t just for your parents anymore. Yes, there is something nostalgic in the outdated technology and yes, a solid collection makes for a good statement piece in your home, but the bottom line is they just sound better. Through digital compression on a CD or MP3 you lose many little sounds that remain on their vinyl counterparts. Imagine taking a photo on your phone and trying to blow it up to the size of a billboard. It won’t look as it was intended to.
Buying vinyl is NOT the most cost-effective way to listen to music, but it is so much more rewarding. Vinyl plays the music how the artist intended, and each record you own comes with its own story of how you found it and what the album means to you. Owning a collection of vinyl records is also the only way any of your music will hold any potential monetary value in the future. It can be a gruesome start when you’re on a budget, but there are ways to make starting your record collection easier.
1. Your can't enjoy the sound quality without a quality record player.
Not all record players are created equally. If you want to experience the quality of a vinyl record, you need to play it on a quality machine. It’s best to avoid record players with the speakers built into them. This is where companies will cut corners first. Those suitcase Crosley players from Urban Outfitters may be cute, but they produce garbage sound. Plenty of record shops will have starter kits that produce a quality sound at a price that won’t break your bank account.
Another cheap option is to buy used. You would be surprised what you can find at thrift shops and vintage stores. Make sure to test them before you buy though. Needles and belts are the first things to go, so before you walk out the door throw on a record and hear if everything sounds right.
2. There are plenty of ways to start your collection with any budget.
When it comes to buying records, thrift shops are your friends. Even the most seasoned collectors will still pop into their local Goodwill and see what’s there. You’d be surprised at how many people no longer want their Beatles records and would rather just donate them.
This method can take a lot of resilience. Many times, you will flip through 100s of albums and leave with nothing, but it is all worth it for that time that you strike gold. If you are looking for a particular artist but not a specific album, many record shops will have a bargain-bin area. Craigslist and eBay are great places to buy used collections if you want to jumpstart your library. If you are looking for a specific album by an artist, going to your local record store is your best bet. It will cost more, but it will cut down on your time hunting.
3. Always make sure that any used record you buy isn't damaged.
Once you have found that album you have been hunting for, there are two things you will want to avoid: scratches and warping. A scratched record will skip around or play a thud every time it hits the needle and a warped record will distort the sound entirely. If you find a record with only fine scratches it usually isn’t a problem. Look out for big scratches that run parallel with the grooves. To ensure a record isn’t warped, hold it to your line of sight and make sure it’s flat. Avoid anything with any warping at all. Chances are the sound will be distorted.
When inspecting vinyl in a record shop it is important not to open any sealed records. Even if it is in a resealable sleeve DO NOT open it yourself. Take it to the front desk and ask them if you can inspect it under their supervision. They will understand. They will usually be willing to play it for you if anything on the record looks questionable.
Records have withstood the test of time and even with modern technology are still the superior way to listen to music. As humans, we have recorded some of the most important speeches and music on vinyl. We have sent them in outer space on satellites in hopes they will be fond by extraterrestrials and they have been enjoyed on Earth for almost 150 years. Trends may come and go, but records are a constant. Happy hunting!
