Whether you’re an old-school soul in a young body or a wild child of the 1960s and 1970s looking to recapture music’s glory days, collecting vinyl is a hobby that is on the rise. While it’s easy to purchase a record player and a few records, those on the path to serious collecting may want to consider our guide to buying vinyls before diving into this rewarding hobby.
How to get started with buying vinyl
When it comes to buying vinyl records, it may be daunting to figure out where to start. Luckily for you, buying vinyl records is a hobby that is growing in popularity, and there are many outlets to buy vinyl records. There are a few easy spots to look at when buying vinyl records. Googling local independent record stores can be a great place to start.
Record Store Day is a day dedicated to preserving this seemingly dying interest. Started in 2007, it was designed to drum up hype around buying records. If you look on Record Store Day’s official website, you can find more information about how it works and how to participate.
Using a digital hub called Discog to buy records and research new records you want to add to your collection can be a great way to connect with other vinyl enthusiasts and grow your collection.
What to know before buying vinyl records
Before buying vinyl records, you need to know where to buy records locally and online. Social media can be a great way to find records for sale and engage with the vinyl-loving community. Longtime record fans know that you should only add records to your collection that you like, and social media can be a great way to find new records. They can help you figure out what to avoid when buying records and where to go to get the best deals or the most unique finds.
Vinyl record beginner guide
As a new vinyl record collector, there are a few tips and tricks to steer you in the right direction. Pay attention to the condition of records when you purchase them. If you are purchasing vinyl in person, inspect the vinyl for scratches, dirt, and imperfections. If vinyl is too scratched up or dirty, it’s probably not worth getting since it won’t be worth as much to resell, and it won’t sound enjoyable for listening. Inspect the jacket as well when purchasing vinyl. Unless you’re only interested in a cheap vinyl to buy, it won’t go for as much if you try to resell it.
When buying a record, the price can vary greatly. It depends on the condition of the record, the rarity, the overall original value, and some other factors. Checking on a website such as Discogs can be helpful to avoid overpaying for vinyl since it tells you what it’s roughly worth. It can also let you know if you’ve found an absolute bargain for a popular record.