LP and Cassette collecting -

[Thespy]

I just inherited my father's old sound system, which contains a record player, a cassette deck, a very early CD player (don't even know if it's RedBook only), an equalizer, and a tuner. Rather than sell it or give it away, I decided to keep it because it's pretty cool.

I want to know some tips and tricks about LP and cassette collecting. Advice for maintaining condition in good condition. Or would it even be worth it in the long run to own records and cassettes.

 

[VLAD]

Buying records is a very expensive hobby - a new LP will go for $20 and up, usually, and if it's a deluxe bundle deal or a rare classic, it can go for even more. It's really up to you whether you want to invest in a record collection, but I'm sitting on about 250 LPs right now that I love to death. It also helps if you used to work in a record store :V

Cassettes are not something you'll be buying for sound quality. Quality's shit and they get worn out and damaged easily. But if you treat your records right, they'll last you forever. I have a Beatles album in my collection that my mom bought when she was in middle school, and it still plays through very well for its age.

The real perks of record collecting for me are:

1. Getting the album art in a massive 12x12 cover instead of a shitty jpg on your computer.
2. Having something that you paid actual money for - a way to know you're supporting the artist.
3. Most new LPs these days come with a code you can use to download the album for free off Bandcamp or whatever, so you can still have it in portable digital form.
4. Bonus inserts and cool goodies. A lot of bands will throw in exclusive posters, patches, flags, etc. in with the record package. Before I moved out of an old apartment, I had blanketed the walls with tons of music swag (an ex called it "the metal cave").
   
5. The resale value. A few rare-ish records that I've gotten bored of, I've flipped for double or triple the price on Discogs.
6. Holding on to a piece of history. I've got quite a few original pressings of now-legendary records, and they're fun to brag about. And of course, Mom's aforementioned 50+ year old Beatles record.
7. Higher audio quality than an mp3 file and "the warmth" of vinyl (I think it's a myth, but ymmv)
8. The ritualistic aspect of putting on a record, listening to it all the way through, changing sides, etc. It makes the act of listening to music much more involved than a Pandora station does.

Make sure you keep them somewhere cool and away from sunlight and moisture. Don't do any cool DJ scratch moves. Try not to touch the playing surface with your hands. Keep them away from your cat. Treat your records right, and they'll do the same for you.

 

[KingGeedorah]

Only collect classics on vinyl when I see them. Think I bought two cassettes in my adult life and it was some lo-fi post rock shit from Mark McGuire.

Its a fun hobby.

 

[Thespy]

Are cassettes really that bad? I live near Vektroid, and she was going to sell me one of her cassette prints of Floral Shoppe for a very cheap price. But I guess I'll pass on her offer.

Thanks for all your input on LP's though. My city has several EM's and inpendent shoppes that sell LP's for cheap.

 

[VLAD]

Are cassettes really that bad? I live near Vektroid, and she was going to sell me one of her cassette prints of Floral Shoppe for a very cheap price. But I guess I'll pass on her offer.

Thanks for all your input on LP's though. My city has several EM's and inpendent shoppes that sell LP's for cheap.

Cassettes are pretty bad tbh but I'd totally get a cassette of Floral Shoppe. It'd be very appropriate. With music like that, it doesn't matter how lo-fi it sounds on cassette because it was designed to sound lo-fi. Same reason there's so much black metal on cassette.

What kind of a setup are you running, anyways? Your speakers and your turntable's needle cartridge are probably the best determiners of how things are going to sound.

 

[Thespy]

Cassettes are pretty bad tbh but I'd totally get a cassette of Floral Shoppe. It'd be very appropriate. With music like that, it doesn't matter how lo-fi it sounds on cassette because it was designed to sound lo-fi. Same reason there's so much black metal on cassette.

What kind of a setup are you running, anyways? Your speakers and your turntable's needle cartridge are probably the best determiners of how things are going to sound.

It's a very old stereo stack from the 1980's, made by Pioneer.

The speakers that came with it were blown out over a decade ago. I found some speakers that had the same ohm rating as the previous pair.

However, the turntable's stylus needs to be replaced. I may check some of the record stores or electronic repair shops if they carry replacements; if not, I might have to order online.

 

[glutenfreebooty]

Cassettes are risky, but not as risky as 8-track tapes or cylinders (a few collectors still exist). Only thing about collecting LPs is that you absolutely must know that you like the whole album [or at least a majority of it] before you buy it. Otherwise, it's a waste of money, to buy a $40 double LP with only two tracks you like on it. If you can, also, look for vintage 45s. They're rare, but have great resale value.

I got my needle replacement from Needle Doctor, but they also have styluses and other parts.

 

[The Dude]

I've got some old heavy metal on vinyl and my Dad's old hi-fi system. I'm planning to buy a 45rpm jukebox someday, one from the 70's or early 80's which aren't as collectable as the models from the 50's and 60's like the Wurlitzer bubblers, so they're much more affordable. I can get a 70's juke for $500- $1000 as opposed to several grand for the older models.