Do you still collect vinyl?

[Todd]

The funny thing about high end vinyl collectors is that they say it's all about the sound but it isn't. I was given a huge collection of minty Living Stereo, "six eye" Columbia, Mercury, etc. because the lady who owned it couldn't find anyone to even offer ten dollars for the batch. Why? Because the person who owned it wanted all of his records to match on the shelf, so he put them in matching custom sleeves and threw out the original covers. That rendered the whole collection worthless.

Out of curiosity, how does your anecdote apply to anyone other than the collector in question? 

[bigshot]

This lady tried desperately to find a buyer for the collection at any price. Record dealers came and looked at it and wouldn't even haul it away for free. I finally took it because I like the music, but a lot of LP collectors are basically stamp collectors. The cover is the most important thing. I see examples like this all the time at record swap meets... Identical records with pristine vinyl, one with a clean cover, the other with a tear repaired with scotch tape. One is $50, the other $2.

[Todd]

but a lot of LP collectors are basically stamp collectors. The cover is the most important thing.

Perhaps, perhaps not.  There certainly are people who value things like covers highly, and it does increase resale value, but from one post you went from implying that all vinyl collectors worry about such things only or primarily to now just a lot.  I'm not sure you've made your case even now.  In any event, when I personally buy vinyl, and can inspect it first, I look at the record, with the sleeve receiving secondary consideration.  Why, I've even bought some pristine records with sleeves in tattered condition (eg, Eschenbach and Henze teaming up in Beethoven).  The avid vinyl collectors who go to the same used shops who I've met tend to want pristine condition everything, but focus on the records themselves.  Perhaps I just shop at the wrong time of day.

[Bogey]

I have a large handful of Living Stereo lps that are from Europe, I believe.  The covers were made thin and flimsy and mine are coming apart like a cheap suit.  However, the vinyl is excellent, so here they stay.

[bigshot]

Well there's a difference between garden variety "rekkid collectors" and high end vinyl collectors. I was speaking about the latter group.

I was at a party full of vinyl collectors once, and the conversation turned to the most any of them had ever paid for a single record... $125 for a single... $300 for an LP. I was the only one who collected 78s, so one of them turned to me and said, "Steve, you collect the REALLY old stuff. You must pay a LOT!" I replied, "Well, right now my limit is $2 a disk. When I run out of finding good 78s for under $2, I'll consider $3, but that isn't likely anytime soon."

[Bogey]

Here is why I tend to shy away from buying online.  If sight inspected, this one looks beautiful.  Maybe a scratch here and there, and for only $1!



However, when played it sounds like sandpaper....really.  Too bad.  However, I will keep looking for a crappy cover with a nice pice of vinyl and swap them out.

On the other hand, I dropped $10 on this one (a blue back):



Fills the room with beautiful sound!

[bigshot]

I don't know if I've got either of those, because none of mine have covers!

[Bogey]

I don't know if I've got either of those, because none of mine have covers!

Well, if you have the Schumann in stereo and do not care for the performance, let me know.  I have a home for it.  It almost sounds like my copy is just "worn out:.  Does this make sense?

Now playing:

[Bogey]

Just for fun:

39 bids.

Sold for US $10,099.99

[Todd]

Well there's a difference between garden variety "rekkid collectors" and high end vinyl collectors. I was speaking about the latter group.

Thanks for clarifying the difference.  Your differentiation is duly noted.  Let me will be blunt here: paying $300 for an LP is stupid, unless it has some special trait (eg, it was signed by Elvis, or something.)

Just for fun:

39 bids.

Sold for US $10,099.99

I have to wonder if it really did, or if it is just internet puffery.  I'm not saying that there aren't people who would pay that.  How do I find such suckers, er, customers? 

[Parsifal]

Just for fun:

39 bids.

Sold for US $10,099.99

Is the for real?  EMI has released this recording on Vinyl and it is currently available as an EMI LP.  (In the 50's EMI and Columbia had a partnership so the line between EMI and Columbia recordings was blurry).


http://www.mdt.co.uk/beethoven-violin-concerto-leonid-kogan-emi-columbia-lp-180g-vinyl.html

A bit above 16 pounds.

Now I'm pissed because I have this set and the recording ain't there

[asin]B00ACHXHII[/asin]

I guess in EMI speak "complete recordings of Silvestri" excludes concerto recordings where Silvestri conducts the orchestra. 

[Bogey]

Wow. I guess that goes back to Velimir's reason #1.  I believe I have a Richter recording like that. 

[mszczuj]

I have just decided to donate my vinyl collection (about 4000 LP) to my home town library. I'm cataloguing it provisionally in this very moment and I'm in the 23/48 of my work with score 1907.

[Parsifal]

I have just decided to donate my vinyl collection (about 4000 LP) to my home town library. I'm cataloguing it provisionally in this very moment and I'm in the 23/48 of my work with score 1907.

Am I supposed to know what it means to be "in the 23/48 of my work with score 1907?"

[Bogey]

I have just decided to donate my vinyl collection (about 4000 LP) to my home town library. I'm cataloguing it provisionally in this very moment and I'm in the 23/48 of my work with score 1907.

I am surprised that they will take them.  Our libraries here continue to downsize their materials and are moving more and more to free downloads that stay on your device for a certain amount of time.  Hopefully they care for them like you did as well as those that check them out.

[Parsifal]

I am surprised that they will take them.  Our libraries here continue to downsize their materials and are moving more and more to free downloads that stay on your device for a certain amount of time.  Hopefully they care for them like you did as well as those that check them out.

Likely they'll burn them to heat the building.

[bigshot]

Libraries have annual book sales where most donated vinyl ends up. Everyone wins.

[Bogey]

Libraries have annual book sales where most donated vinyl ends up. Everyone wins.

*raises glass of lemonade to the screen*

[Sean]

Likely they'll burn them to heat the building.

Absolutely, the bastards.

[mszczuj]

Am I supposed to know what it means to be "in the 23/48 of my work with score 1907?"

My records are on 48 shelves, I have described 1907 records from 23 shelves.