Build a Killer Vinyl Record Collection on a Budget: The Shopping Guide
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Vinyl is back in the spotlight, and creating a records collection on a budget is not a big deal anymore. Once dismissed as a hipster trend, building an authentic collection of shiny records that you can play for your friends is very much en vogue in 2021-22. While digital is the best for price and convenience, for the best sound quality you can get on vinyl is unparalleled.
The resurgence of the vinyl record has been so overwhelming that in 2017 alone more records were sold than in 1978-79 and that means people like building records collection on a budget. Plus you would never have to worry about your records having a corrupted file, as the only thing that could happen to your vinyl is to get dusty, which is easy to solve. Not to mention the fact that vinyl is aesthetically pleasing and adds character to the room.
Ok, Ok, enough chit chat and without further ado, let’s get those records playing and.learn how to build records collection on a budget.
Build a Killer Vinyl Record Collection on a Budget: The Shopping Guide
Most vinyl enthusiasts always ask themselves the same basic question: how do I get started with building a records collection on a budget?
Well, you don’t really need a lot of cash if that’s what worries you. Instead, you have quite a few opportunities to purchase records at a bargain price for building a records collection on a budget. Here are vinyl virgins own tips for collecting records.
Most vinyl enthusiasts always ask themselves the same basic question: how do I get started?
Well, you don’t really need a lot of cash if that’s what worries you. Instead, you have quite a few opportunities to purchase records at a bargain price. Here are vinyl virgins own tips for collecting records.
1. Start with something cheap:
There are tons of brilliant records out there. You can find great albums that every collector would want to have at a very affordable price, sometimes for as low as $1. The surge in these records’ popularity has made it very easy for collectors to go out there and come back home laden with stacks of vinyl.
You don’t always have to buy from specialized shops that offer only new records, with garage sales and flea markets still being options. And you can always use the Internet to look up where records are about to go on sale. You can also hit specialized forums and arrange a tete-a-tete with a willing seller in your area or just have them shipped.
That brings us to our second essential buyer tip: examining the goods.
2. When possible, always examine what you are buying:
Buying at face value is fine if you are purchasing from an established vendor, but the simple fact is that not everyone is just as happy to sell genuine products. Missing or damaged records, falsely advertised products, and scratches are just some of the many possible troubles you can encounter. That is why you should always make sure you have examined the record before purchase, or if buying online, it should be from a trusted source.
3. Buy the originals:
It’s always a good idea to buy a record (in good condition) that is the first releases. The trouble with re-issues is that the recording studio may not own the original pressing, and while that’s no biggie, for a true connoisseur, it could prove just a little bit disappointing.
4. No limits to what you want:
Ultimately, it will always boil down to what you truly love. The best records to collect are the ones you enjoy. There is no need to delve back in the past; you can buy modern music on a vinyl record easily these days. This is about the best tip we can give you when choosing your next album.
Best Places to Get Your Next Vinyl on a Budget
With the golden rules of purchasing records established, there is still a thing or two to say about the actual places from which you procure the goods.
As we have already mentioned, buying mint condition records is not necessarily the most efficient way to do it, whether because of the cost or the fact that the press isn’t the original one. So, what are those venues that new buyers may overlook, but are still totally worth your while and money?
Thrift Stores:
Thrift stores are a place that may be under your radar, but a smart budget buyer knows that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Plus, in the majority of cases, many owners have no idea what they have on their hands, so they sell it away for peanuts. That is why thrift stores are an excellent option for hunting vinyl. You don’t have to drop by at every store you find, but if you have a minute, and they are advertising vinyl, you should definitely have a quick gander.
Join Forums and Meet People in Person:
There are plenty of reasons to follow music boards, but one of the biggies is access to other like-minded folks looking to sell, trade, and buy. In fact, you can find quite a few vinyl record discussions on Reddit, which is one of the best places to start looking by the way. Many people share what they have and what they are prepared to give away. There is an unspoken consensus amongst vinyl owners who usually flog their goods to do so at affordable rates so any cash-strapped buyer with a taste in music can buy. Forums could be a bit old fashioned but is a gold mine.
Look for Whole Collections:
If you don’t want to spend too much time looking for all various records, you can always buy up a whole vinyl collection, but they will usually be a little more expensive. Still, you can land quite a few off of your want list in one stop.
Social Media:
It never hurts to get the word out. Social media is a powerful tool and can be leveraged very quickly. All you need is a good circle of friends who are willing to pass on your message, and before you know it, you will be sifting through quite a few suggestions. Plus having a few extra sets of eyes working for you can never hurt.
Vinyl Collection Must-Haves for records collection on a budget
Now, this is the really tricky question, isn’t it? While owning vinyl records may indeed be a bit “hip,” there is hardly any shame in that. For starters, people who love these records probably look for something more in a piece of music than the beat or a catchy chorus. That is why issuing recommendations shouldn’t be too tricky, and people generally agree on the same “must-haves” so far as vinyl records go.
We have taken a careful look at all the great records, and while we account for personal taste in our selection, we certainly try to reach a middle ground so that enthusiasts of all backgrounds can enjoy themselves:
AC/DC: Back in Black
AC/DC is a favorite among fans. Whether you like rock per se, you will always find yourself humming “Highway to Hell” underneath your breath. Back in Black also comes with great songs such as “Hells Bells,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and the eponymous song “Back in Black.”
The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
Ah, The Beach Boys! What artists they are. With great songs like “California Surfing” and “Good Vibrations.” Pet Sounds is a great album that adds a more reflective mood with the all-too-famous “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill
Beastie Boys had no reason to be a punk group, but they became one. Emerging from the New York suburbs, they defined the sound of generations. Combining their funky beats with the unbeatable quality of the vinyl is definitely a reason in itself to want to enjoy this album.
The Clash: London Calling
If you are a fan of Stranger Things, you will definitely come to appreciate The Clash who authored “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” which was played in the first season of the show. Plus, The Clash wrote quite a few songs that are bound to stay with us, including “London Calling.”
Daft Punk: Discovery
The French duo known as Daft Punk have defined generations, but they have also expanded what we interpret as electronic music. There are the ballads and the summer hits such as “Get Lucky,” timeless classics such as “Around the World” and the latest albums that narrate the story of the band.op0o
David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie is quite unlike any other performer in his time. He has authored some of the most memorable songs today, including “Is There Life on Mars” and “Next Day,” which was one of his latest songs before passing away. David Bowie is definitely an artist you want to have on your vinyl record collection as his songs are whimsy, profound, and very satisfying to the listener.
Johnny Cash: At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash is a legend and an artist who will go down the history of music as one of its most defining characters. He’s known his fair share of sorrow but channeled it in some of the most beautiful classic American music.
Kendric Lamar: Good Kid
You are probably thinking: Kendirc Lamar, really? From Lamar to Earl Sweatshirt and Vince Staples, the world of R&B is changing, and Lamar’s “Good Kid” is an excellent example of this and an awesome record to have.
Led Zeppelin: IV
Come what may, you have undoubtedly heard of Led Zeppelin. “Stairway to Heaven” and “The Levee’s Gonna Break,” and “Whole Lotta Love” are some of the defining songs of the band and music at all. Their album, IV, is a recommended must-have if you are really looking to build an impressive vinyl collection.
Miles Davis: Kind of Blue
Miles Davis songs are profound and emotional. There are no lyrics, but rather artistic sophistication The king of jazz has very much poured his soul in “Kind of Blue,” which for many fans of jazz remains an unmatched piece of art and the defining jazz album of generations to come.
Want to build a records collection on a budget? You Are in a Good Place
Purchasing a record cheap today is relatively easy. Production is skyrocketing, and people are spending a pretty penny on acquiring new vinyl and letting go of the ones they are not so keen on anymore. That leaves plenty of opportunities to start building your killer vinyl records collection without allocating a big budget.
Remember to leverage all known channels to find the best new vinyl options and buy smartly, not emotionally. Research what you want to buy; but also keep your eyes peeled for anything new and exciting that may come your way.
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