Vinyl Record Collecting For Dummies

Get on the vinyl train and learn about this captivating hobby

Vinyl Record Collecting For Dummies teaches you how to start a collection, grow your collection, and make that collection sound excellent. You’ll learn how to shop for new, used, and rare records, and how to select the turntable that’s right for you. Learn how to determine a record’s value, build your collection on a budget, and properly store and maintain your records. This handy Dummies guide also gives you the background knowledge you’ll need to hold your own in conversations with vinyl enthusiasts—all about music genres, the pros and cons of vinyl types, how records are made, and even the history of record collecting itself. Now you can start collecting rare records, new releases, and everything in between.

• Learn the basics of buying records at record shops, secondhand stores, and online
• Determine the value of your collection and learn how to recognize great deals
• Select the turntable and sound system that are right for your needs
• Explore the history of recorded music and learn why people are going wild for vinyl

This is the perfect Dummies guide for anyone who’s ready to get swept up in the excitement of collecting vinyl records, including beginners and seasoned collectors.

Introduction 1

Part 1: For the Love of Vinyl 7

Chapter 1: A Brief History of Record Collecting 9

Chapter 2: Getting the Gear for Top-Notch Listening 37

Part 2: Picking a Record Apart 57

Chapter 3: All about the Album 59

Chapter 4: Identifying Unusual Pressings 91

Chapter 5: Pressing Matters 107

Chapter 6: Records Aren’t Everything 133

Part 3: From Casual Listener to Collector 143

Chapter 7: From Casual Listening to Collector 145

Chapter 8: Let’s Go Crate Digging 155

Chapter 9: Making a Smart Purchase 167

Chapter 10: Caring for Your Collection 187

Chapter 11: Making Room for More Records 207

Part 4: Collecting What You Like 215

Chapter 12: Seriously, Whatever You Like 217

Chapter 13: Collecting by Artist 247

Chapter 14: Collecting by Label 279

Part 5: The Part of Tens 295

Chapter 15: Something to Search For: Ten Legendary Bootlegs 297

Chapter 16: Ten of the World’s Most Sought-After Albums and Their Sleeves 307

Index 319

Dave Thompson has been writing about record collecting for 40 years, primarily for Goldmine magazine and the UK magazine Record Collector. He is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Vinyl and More and Goldmine’s Essential Guide to Record Collecting. He is also the author of over 150 books on music and pop culture.

Not your grandpa’s guide to vinyl

Sure, records are groovy. They’re even neato and far out. But they also deliver superior audio, collectible value, and a hobby that never goes out of style. Vinyl Record Collecting For Dummies teaches you what vinyl is all about, where to find a turntable and other gear, and how to identify a record’s worth. Track down rare pressings, find buyers for unwanted records, and build a vinyl library your forefathers would envy. And, thanks to the insights inside, you can do it all without breaking the bank. Time to start spinning.

Inside…

• Choosing quality equipment
• Starting your collection
• History of record collecting
• Proper vinyl storage and care
• Collecting by artist or label
• Finding hard-to-find records
• Selling your records
• Cleaning and repairing vinyl