Buying Records

    We could go on all day about the quality of records, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs pressings, hot stampers (this is where people pay an insane amount of money for a common record just because it was something like the fifth one out of the press). I like to look at these things simply, so I am going to try my best to ensure that you the reader do as well when this is over. To me there is a broad spectrum, starting with hot stampers and MoFi records (expect to weep for your lost wages with some of these), and ending with Ronco compilations and ripoff, soundalike records (they're crap, avoid at all costs, cheap vinyl, a thousand songs crammed on a single record, not good). 

The rules of the vinyl game are simple:

Buy good pressings, and stay within your budget.

Keep it vintage if possible, or a good reissue sourced from the original analog (where applicable).

Don't worry too much about jacket condition, unless you are obsessed with perfection (I'm that guy, don't become me). Remember, you can't play the jacket anyways.

DO worry some about disc condition. Sometimes you'll find a record that looks like Bigfoot used it for toilet paper. Unless it is rare, or you need an impromptu rolling tray (you don't, say no to drugs kids), just leave it in the crate. If you really must have it, you might want to consider dubbing it to another format (this is a whole different rabbit hole, you better be sure you really like this kind of stuff). This will come into play when I talk about equipment. Use the "rule of thumb", if you can feel the scratch with your thumb (the only time you should think to touch a record with your bare hands), you're setting yourself up for heartache. Trust me, I'm a doctor when it comes to this kind of heartache.

And finally, except under the circumstances outlined above, keep your booger hooks off the grooves. Doing otherwise is a good way to get thrown out of a record store (there are other ways, we'll get to that).

Following me so far? Next time we'll discuss equipment.





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