Over the course of the past few years, a format of music consumption that some had long considered dead and doomed to extinction has seen an exciting resurgence. So what exactly is so endearing about the vinyl record in an age that is so heavily digitally-oriented? It must be something, since the format saw an 18 percent increase in sales last year, while a more—albeit again—current format, the compact disc, saw a 14 percent decrease.
Well, the truth is that there isn’t one obvious reason why the vinyl record is having a comeback. Some are drawn to the larger artwork—framing their favorites so they can hang them on their walls. Others are collectors and can’t ignore the limited nature of certain colors and editions of their favorite artists’ work. And then there are the audiophiles, who will insist until their dying day that the sound found within the grooves of a vinyl record is unique and superior to digital (an opinion that is very often contested by research– which often chalks up the “warm” sound of wax to the increased surface noise and distortion of vinyl records). Whatever the reason, this growth in the industry is much welcomed by many record store owners, who witness the phenomenon first-hand, as the customer base continues to grow each day.
As wonderful as it is for any form of physical media to be seeing some growth in the Internet era, record collecting is a difficult hobby to break into, as there are a lot of steps and missteps that will inevitably be taken along the way.
Here are some tips for those of you itching to start a collection, some things that nobody told me when I started my vinyl record collection.
The Record Player:
Before you can even get started on building your record collection, you’re going to need to buy something to play them on. Since they still don’t have record players for cars, I recommend the Audio Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable ($91.73 on Amazon). This is a reliable and relatively inexpensive turntable with which to start. It is easily assembled and upgradable to your preferences. If you’re looking to spend a little more money, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable (USB & Analog) ($229.95 on Amazon) is a popular high-end player. You’ll also need a set of speakers and a receiver. The best advice I can give is to avoid the popular Crosley tables that are seen everywhere from Target to Barnes and Noble, which appear to be the best choice at first glance (they are portable, have internal speakers, a CD player and a tape player). However, they will not do your records justice due to the lower power of the internal speakers and the heavier cartridge, which presses down harder on your records and may even damage them.
The Record Store:
When all is said and done, the best place to go for advice on anything vinyl-related is your local record store. In the Tampa area, we’re lucky to have Microgroove (4906 N Florida Ave), Sound Exchange (14246 N Nebraska Ave), Mojo Books and Music (2450 E Fowler Ave), and Banana’s Record Warehouse (St. Pete, 2226 16th Ave N). Online, I recommend ShopRadioCast.com or InterPunk.com (for punk music mostly). Places like Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic often sell new, specially-curated vinyl records. However, it’s always best to support local, independent stores if possible (most of them will order what you’re looking for if they don’t have it in stock).
The Records:
No two vinyl records are the same—they come in all sorts of colors, weights, shapes, sizes, and speeds. Some albums are pressed in many different ways and give the buyer options between colors and weight. If you’re looking for durability and better song quality, 180 Gram vinyl is what you want, although it can be a bit pricier. Be careful not to leave your records in the car on a hot day—they will warp and affect sound quality. Finding out if your favorite albums have been pressed to vinyl is as easy as searching for it on Google. And you can always find out-of-print or rare records on eBay or on the message boards at VinylCollective.com.
Jordan Walsh can be reached at jordan.walsh@theminaretonline.com