Just out of curiosity: How many people here buying for other reasons(rarity as an example) on top of listening? I know Coop has said in the past that he only buys to listen. At one point I was a total completest(like I was with toys) and got every variation of record of bands/records I liked. A losing battle that I gave up about 10 years ago. I know that a few here do both. I personally buy 90% for listening but occasionally buy a gem based on other reasons. The other reasons will vary from completion purposes(which are very few), aesthetic(packaging) or sentimental value. For example I have quite a number of records where I own a mint copy in case my listening one gets fucked up. I own a few copies of records with different covers for different reasons. "Appeitite for Destruction" is an example that comes to mind. I also own some test presses based on obsessive compulsive nature. I happened upon a number of Smiths test presses in the late 90s pretty cheap and snatched them up. I also have some test presses/rare records that I was given as gifts that I don't listen to yet wont part with since they were gifts. I can say I have never paid more than $50 for a record. Not that I can remember anyways. I definitely will buy(any record I have appeared on. Whether I was playing on them or have photos I took slapped on them. It's unfortunate how many times I have had to track down records because of that reason, records that I didn't even know existed. My holy grail is the RTFC Pushead/rocket pack. I know Chad owns one. I would trade big for that, slap it in a frame and throw it on my wall. Aesthetically(musically I own other versions) its an amazing record and would love to have one but can't bring myself to pay $600 for one. Thoughts? comments? Confessions?
I do a little bit of both as well. There are some albums that I dont want to play (Like Black Moth Super Rainbows first pressing of Dandelion Gum. Pink vinyl with gold splashes, and a scratch n' sniff cover that smells like bubble gum.) So I have another pressing that will be used for listening. With most albums coming with mp3s now, if I'm actually going to purchase music, its only on vinyl because as my favorite record store says, you cant hug an mp3.
I didn't get the deluxe set, this was part of a give away/promotion. A handful of record stores got the single (couple copies each) to giveaway with the new release. It was also randomly inserted into a box set the Beastie's did awhile back.
I am a little of both, as well. Most of the new vinyl I buy lately is for limited releases of bands that are near & dear to my heart. Back when I listened exclusively to vinyl, I would wear out a $120 stylus annually, so listening primarily to cd's sorta pays off. But I have no problem putting on some rare vinyl. Not ever playing them is like keeping a still bagged toy in a box in the closet. I am a tactile collector, I guess. (That's why I am not a fan of cloud technology - nothing physical. Plus, the strategy is to move to pay-per-play.)
Funny, after posting that, I went to play the new LP again, and a different 45 fell out of the jacket!
If i'm used record shopping, and see a favorite LP that I already own for a supercheap price (like under 5 bucks) I will buy it just to see that it gets a proper home. I usually end up giving it away to somebody else down the line. Given away lots of Bowie records this way.
My other confession - I often unwittingly come home with another copy of something I already had. After 30+ years of buying (and selling) records and CDs, I can't always remember what I do or don't have anymore. Getting old sucks sometimes.
i buy records just to have and listen to, and i usually just have stupid rare taste in them. i currently am trying to hunt down all joy division records, OG pressings and whatnot. but i can never turn away a goofy looking bootleg or a picture disc or something. i just like to hear the older stuff on its original intended platform- that being said, i usually try to steer away from buying records i have digitally, because then it just ends up sitting on the shelf. i like having a reason to use my record player and sit down to enjoy the album in its entirety. but then there was that time i bought metallicas creeping death single on a gold 12 inch... haha
Must admit this has happened to me a few times over the years. My view is, just because something is rare doesn't mean it's any good. In some cases, one minute something is really rare and in demand by collectors, the next year the market is flooded and prices have dropped. It's all about cycles. We've all seen this with toys. Good music is good music. The fun is discovering it, learning about it and enjoying it. The rarity is always a bonus. The records I buy are always for listening and handling. I don't see the point in keeping records sealed (only to eventually become warped) or bagged and untouched in a collection. They need to be enjoyed and shared with others. I'm always looking to replace some of my records as a few were originally picked up cheaply at oppies as hit and miss purchases whilst researching artists and labels. If a record comes up as a winner and the condition is a little dogged then I look to eventually replace it with a minty copy. That's part of the addiction to collecting records/beat digging or just finding awesome songs or albums. There is nothing better than finding an obscure or funky gem in excellent condition for 50c/$1. My first Kool and the Gang record "Good Times" was found for 50c in an old 2nd hand store in 1988. It's still one of my favorite funk LPs in my collection. A few weeks ago I found another mint copy/original pressing for about 20 bucks at a record fair. It's nice to have a spare copy with a cover in perfect condition and with no seam splits.
I buy for the sake of playing the record. If it happens to be a "limited edition" on colored vinyl then that makes it just a bit more fun. I just bought the new Red Fang and was hoping that it was the colored edition, but it wasn't - still a nice record on a hefty slab of vinyl. Also picked up the new Boris. I was listening to some records the other day and was thinking about the quality of the pressings. In particular, I was pretty disappointed with Southern Lord's pressings. They seemed to be lower quality than a lot of my other records. It's a shame - they put so much effort into beautiful packaging, but I'm just not all that impressed with the sound of their records.
I could be wrong but I think Southern Lord presses their stuff through Pirates Press/CZ(that place in the Czech Republic). I think those records, although are very pretty, sound crappy. I know that HYdra Head uses Bill Smith quite a bit. Bill Smith doesn't have the fancy bells and whistles but makes some great sounding LPs.
Yeah, I remember seeing "pirates press" or something along those lines on one of my SL pressings. I don't know anything about them other than that their pressings suck. I'm glad to have someone else confirm that they are also unimpressed.
Yeah unfortunately Pirates Press kind of is an easy non-headache option for record pressing. As I said they do some awesome looking stuff but that's where it ends. Most of my friends who do labels for a living tend to use other sources.
I've only been buying records for the last couple of years and I've tried to limit my buying to shows, just to keep it a little bit under control for now. I buy records to listen to, and for my dumb cat to practice her DJ skills on I guess. Damn cat.
My record consumption over the years has been sporadic. I just went to a show over the weekend and I bought 4 LPS and 4 7"s. I like that most indy records are now coming with a free digital download, so I can still support the "scene"/bands, and have something to listen to on the go. i do still listen to records but i enjoy collecting only a handful of bands (danzig related, Integrity, Pushead related). i love the aesthetics, packaging, color vinyl etc. its very influential on my toy making as well. i think the most I spent on one record was $125, for a very clean orig. copy of the Misfits - Night of The living dead 7".
ok so i do tend to collect for every reason i can think of when it comes to vinyl. I enjoy listening to vinyl for sure but i also enjoy hunting down rare vinyl a lot. If a band is a personal favorite i will buy every initial pressing of the record to have the color set. This happens to me a lot with Converge. I do have some records i dont play like I have an Integrity test press i dont touch and Some girls test press that gets the same treatment. For the most part i used to buy cd's for the go and vinyl for home, but now i just tend to buy the vinyl and d/l the music if theres no vinyl available or for taking around with me. Also i think the only time i've paid more then $50 for a record is when I bought American Nightmare "Background Music" on the black/purple x press. I paid $125 for it but dont care one bit favorite band favorite record and it's out of 100.
Got new record player last night. Not sure why I need four of them but I got this in a trade and just couldn't pass it up.
thats an amazing set up- im looking for one similar to that, straight lines and super simple vibes. let me know if 4 ever gets to be too much!
Not to hijack, but anyone interested in trading LP's? I did a search and couldn't find any posts, though I thought I remember seeing one here somewhere. If so, I can make a short list of vinyl I have I'd dig on trading for others. Just some pieces o' vinyl
