When I first started buying vinyl records, it did not occur to me that I was building a collection. To be honest, I was more interested in building a stamp collection than building a vinyl records collection.
I read all that there was about stamps. I joined the stamp club at school. I had countless hundreds of stamps in my stamp books, all filed away underneath their tracing paper protective cover. I had thousands of tiny stamp hinges, and a pair of tweezers was never far from my hand.
My stamp collecting was a hobby, a passion. My collection of records built slowly, as I heard another single on the radio that I knew I had to go out and buy. I collected stamps because I loved it and I wanted to own as many as possible. I collected records because I wanted to listen to the music that I wanted when I wanted.
What do you need to know about record collecting?
By far the best place to find your vinyl is an independent record store. There are thousands upon thousands of them worldwide, so I’m not going to list them here. You’re a competent user of the internet and Google is your friend.
Once you have found one, I suggest that you take yourself along and have a look at what they have on the shelf. The thing about independent record stores is that each one will have its own inventory. Bob, who owns Bob’s Records will have different tastes to Valerie, owner of Val’s Vinyl. They may both stock many of the same albums, especially those in the charts or deemed to be classic albums, but they will have different ones too.
Of course, this is the internet age and just as there will likely be a record store near you, there is also the option to appraise the inventory of any record store the world over. Records can be sent in the mail too.
The best independents will have information about upcoming releases and will also have their finger on the pulse regarding re-pressings and re-issues.
Record Store Day
Inaugurated in the USA in 2007, Record Store Day (RSD) was intended as a way to celebrate the culture of bricks and mortar record stores in the US and, ultimately, the world over.
As befits such an aim, the first day saw Metallica spending time at Rasputin Music in Los Angeles. Since that first day, many artists have given their time to support the event – probably having taken their lead from Jesse “Boots Electric” Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal who declared himself the Record Store Day Ambassador in 2009.
Subsequent wearers of the sash include Ozzy Osbourne, Chuck D, Dave Grohl, St Vincent and Taylor Swift.
Naturally, because it’s a great idea, RSD has spread all over the world. In the UK there are now over 250 stores nationwide taking part. Other countries too celebrate RSD.
The event happens just once a year, but the organization runs year-round initiatives such as competitions, special releases and promotions. Since 2010, RSD has run its own Black Friday event which aims to give these bricks and mortar record stores sales opportunities with exclusive releases.
To find participating stores or to find out more information, check out Recordstoreday.com or Recordstoreday.co.uk. You will also be wise to check these sites out to see if your local record store will be participating in any of the above-mentioned initiatives throughout the year. If in doubt, go and ask.
Social Media
The key word in social media is ‘social.’ So, use social media to find your community. This job used to be done with handwritten notices on town hall noticeboards and other physical locations. I’m not saying that this is no longer the place where you will find fellow vinyl record collectors, but you are much more likely to find them on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.
If there is no local, national or worldwide group for your music, why not showcase your own vinyl? People will follow you and in a very short space of time, a new community will be born.
It’s not just dedicated music stores
In the US, pop into any Target or Walmart store and you will find they stock what amounts to bespoke pressings of albums by mainstream artists. The same is true in the UK if you go into any of the major supermarkets.
Yes, most, if not all the major retailers have cottoned onto the fact that once again, vinyl sells and naturally, they want a part of it.
If you don’t like it, don’t buy it
Getting back to my original point. As a teenager, I bought records that I wanted to listen to. I wasn’t collecting so much for collecting sake, so you shouldn’t either.
If you are buying records that you think might be worth a lot of money at some point down the line, chances are it won’t. So, instead of having cherished items that you enjoy playing and listening to, you will just have piles of 12-inch x 12-inch junk cluttering up the place.
Keep records of your records
I enjoyed writing notes about my record purchases. I would record the date that I bought it, whether it was an album or a single and then whether it was a 7-inch or a 12-inch single. I also noted where I had bought it.
Nowadays with spreadsheets ubiquitous, it’s probably just as easy to keep notes on a spreadsheet. However, this doesn’t sit in keeping with the whole analogue ethos of vinyl.
Records database
Discogs is a fabulous online database which details virtually every vinyl release, every format, every country variation, everything. It can also give you an idea of the value of your records as your collection grows.
You can buy vinyl through the Discogs marketplace, but customer reviews and the site’s Trustpilot rating currently do not indicate a very good chance of a satisfactory outcome in this endeavour.
Now, it’s up to you
This is not an attempt to give you an exhaustive list of ways you can build your record collection. It is more a flavour of the types of opportunities out there for you to investigate to help build your record collection.
If you have enjoyed this article or have anything you would like to add to the debate, please leave me a comment below.
I thoroughly enjoyed your guide on building a vinyl records collection. Your tips on researching and prioritizing genres are spot on. Have you personally found any hidden gems or unique pressings during your own vinyl hunting? It’s always exciting to stumble upon a special find. Additionally, your emphasis on caring for the records is crucial for their longevity. I completely agree that a clean and well-maintained collection not only sounds better but also holds its value over time.
Your advice on exploring local record shops and attending vinyl fairs is fantastic. It adds a personal touch to the experience and can lead to some great discoveries. Have you had any memorable encounters or experiences at these events that stand out? I’d love to hear about them. Overall, your guide provides valuable insights for both beginners and seasoned collectors. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Thank you for your comment. I enjoyed writing this article almost as much as record hunting. My favourite memories or recollections are those of being in a record store when something new came on over the speakers in there. “Ooh, this sounds great, I’ve got to buy this.”
I love the simple pleasure of just standing at the racks, flicking through album after album; single after single. Music is for listening to, for dancing to. Given that most tracks are available to stream on-line, the question is always “Ooh, I wonder what this sounds like on vinyl?”