5 Tips For Starting A Vinyl Collection
Despite the digitalization of music, more people are switching their focus to more traditional vinyl records – largely because of the incredible sound quality. And one thing is quite clear – vinyl records are most certainly not dead. As a result of this, there has been a huge resurgence in the popularity of buying vinyl and starting a vinyl collection. Yet owning vinyl records is not as simple as stacking them on a shelf in the corner of a room. If you are looking to start a vinyl collection but have no clue where to start, this article packed with helpful tips will point you in the right direction.
Let’s jump straight in!
Get Yourself A Turntable
You can’t have a vinyl collection without a record player (turntable) to play your records on!
Given the extreme popularity of vinyl records these days, getting your hands on a quality turntable is easier than ever before. You’re probably likely to find them at any store.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $75 and $100 for a generic turntable, and around $300+ for an upgraded record player. If this is out of your budget, you’ll probably be able to find a second-hand one for much cheaper.
We’d recommend that you do your research to find an appropriate turntable rather than buying the first one that you see. If possible, always listen to the sound quality before you buy!
If you’d like more advice, we’d recommend visiting NotesOnVinyl.
Create A List Of Your Favourite Albums
Before you think about going out and looking at the vinyl on offer, you may want to create a list of your favorite musicians and albums. This will help you to narrow down your search for new vinyl when you eventually get around to shopping (in-store or online).
Regardless of the era that the musician played in, or the genre of music that they focus on, write down a list of the music that holds a special place in your heart. Your next step will then be to find the physical version of those records.
Locate A Store
The allure of online shopping is real. It’s quick, convenient, and oh-so-easy — what’s not to love? The main problem with doing this when it comes to buying vinyl records is that you miss the whole process of enjoying the texture and smell of vinyl itself.
If you’d like the full experience of holding the record in your hands, it may be in your best interest to find a local record store dedicated to vinyl. Not only is this a great pastime but you’ll get to look through many artists and records you may never have heard of before.
Prices will vary depending on where you shop. However, you will likely need to invest some serious time and money when it comes to finding the vinyl records you covet the most.
Clean and Care For Your Vinyl
Yes, collecting vinyl can be very fun, but you must ensure that you are properly caring for and cleaning your vinyl, too. Notably, records must be kept free of dust and debris. If anything gets into the vinyl grooves, it could distort the sound or cause the record to skip while on the turntable.
There are plenty of machines out there that are designed to clean the records for you, but we would strongly recommend cleaning them by hand if possible. This means using a carbon fiber brush or a dry cloth to gently clear any debris from the record.
If there is some grime on a record, you can use a bit of water with the cloth to clean the surface.
Set Up A Place For Your Records
Our final tip is to set up a specific area to store your vinyl collection. In fact, many people love owning a record player for the pure pleasure of being able to display their collection! If you want to make your vinyl collection readily accessible, having a designated space is ideal.
That being said, you should never leave your records laying flat (or stacked). The weight of the records can misalign the discs which could damage the record. Instead, you should make sure each record is standing upright.
Summary
These are some of the most straightforward tips you need to keep in mind when it comes to starting a vinyl collection. Sure, you don’t have to abide by these, but they will get you set up on the right path.
