Record Collecting

For people who like to collect old records, it is important to know the crucial differences between those made for 78 rpm and 33 rpm.

Back in the mists of pre-history (most of the 20th century) music was recorded, pressed and distributed in analog format on a round, black vinyl disc called a record. This was before 8-track and...

Like any cleaning project you can undertake, there are dozens of ways to clean your records. Unlike simply wiping off your television or vacuuming your rug, however, cleaning vinyl records...

The phonograph was used as the world’s first machine to make and later play sound recordings. Today the phonograph has been replaced with modern inventions such as the CD players, radios and DVD...

Collecting vinyl records is a hot hobby, with thousands of websites and stores catering to those who prefer the scratchy sounds of an LP to a CD. Because it is a potentially expensive hobby, care...

The first things one should know when collecting vintage audio equipment is where to look and what to look for. People have different preferences and thus will search for different items that are...

Beginning in the mid-1920s, the 78 was the norm for records. It spins at 78 revolutions per minute and usually held approximately three minutes of music. Most of the music consisted or big band,...

You love your collection of 33, 45 and even 78 records. You have had them since you were child or teenager and they are in pretty good condition. But like anything else, dust and dirt can collect...

While vinyl records once dominated the market for recorded music, much of their value these day lies in their collectibility. Collectible vinyl records can fetch hundreds or even thousands of...

Clean old vinyl records with care to prolong their usefulness and protect their quality. Take your time to work any dirty buildup or spills with a soft brush so you don't cause any damage. Enjoy...

Phonograph records are extremely old and should be cleaned regularly to ensure working order and longevity. Always handle phonographic records with care, as they scratch easily. Using the wrong...

Many people have vinyl records sitting around the house. Some may be next to the stereo, but often old vinyl records are put in a box in the back of the closet, in the basement or up in the attic....

Few bands have had an impact on popular music like the Beatles. Between 1962 and 1970, over two dozen Beatles records were released in the U.S. and the U.K. Most Beatles records (both 45s and...

When it comes to setting the mood for any occasion, many music fans turn to their turntables. Record collecting remains extremely popular even in the era of CDs and iPods. Buying rare records,...

Original memorabilia of the "King of Rock and Roll" is highly collectible, but for Elvis fans, his records hold a special significance. Albums from his pre-military service era (pre-1957) are the...

CDs are dead, everyone is going back to vinyl. Well, it might not be that dramatic, but music lovers are finding their favorite new albums being pressed to 180 gram perfection. They are also...

Although becoming knowledgeable about the values of individual records can take years of experience, you can learn the broad categories which are most sought after. This will alert you to...

One of the most misunderstood areas of selling records is setting a price. Many people who inherit a collection or buy some records at a yard sale get excited when they see high prices in a price...

Grading records properly is an essential skill for the record dealer or serious collector. Although there is some subjectivity involved, most people agree on the basics.

For the record collector, knowing how to grade your collection is essential. It could mean the difference between having a collection of neat frisbees or having a collection worth a considerable...

Mailing a record album is a simple undertaking. The main goal, of course, is to prevent breakage in transit. To that end, you need to cover the record with a protective material (such as bubble...

Today music is digitally available, but does that mean the old vinyl record LPs are valuable? There are several factors involved in determining the worth of an old record. The condition, rarity...

Old 78 records and LPs are collectible items. The value of such items, though, works on a sliding scale, based on the current condition. Albums that are clean and well-maintained are more...

How to go about grading your records...45's and LP's. Grading 45's and LP's are Visual (Grades) and Playing (Grades). The Classification are as follows: 1. Mint(M), 2. Near Mint(NM), 3. Very Good...

Think vinyl is dead? Think again. Even in this age of digital downloads, vinyl records are popular again. A discerning and determined collector can also find gems for very little money.

Vinyl records are analog-sound storage devices that were popular in the 20th century, up until the 1980s, when new technology started replacing them. These records are still popular today,...

Selling vintage records is quite simple if you know where to go. The trick is to find a person who wants what you have, or even better, find several people who want what you have. There are...

If you are a collector of recorded music, you likely understand that the value and desirability of an item almost exclusively depends on its rarity and condition. This is true not only of vinyl...

The vinyl record was the industry standard for decades when it came to providing the highest-quality sound reproduction. The record is making a resurgence in popularity in seeming defiance of...

The old 45 rpm records started getting produced in the early 1950s. The seven-inch record has a single recording on one side. Most 45 rpm records were double-sided and contained a song on each...

As with most collectibles, proper storage can mean a great difference in value down the road, because the better the condition a piece is in, the more money it will bring back to you when you...

They may be in your attic, basement or bedroom, but there may be gold in those old stacks of vinyl. Old records (you remember them) can be worth thousands of dollars, but there are a few caveats...

Record players seem like antiques next to CD and DVD players, but turntables and record players provide great analog listening enjoyment. With proper maintenance a record player's electronics may...

Many old-school music lovers still have a rather large collection of vinyl records. They have the option of purchasing the CD version of their vinyl collect, if CDs are available for each, or they...

Today's music enthusiast may never have even seen a 78 rpm record. It is almost like going back in time to capture the sounds of another era. Use the following suggestions to help you get your...

With the advent of CDs, MP3s and iPods, it may seem like records are a thing of the past. This is not so. There are many avid record collectors out there, if you know where to look for them, and...

Finding and collecting old record albums has become an interesting pastime for all ages. Perhaps you're a dealer trying to find albums for resale or maybe you just ended up with your parents' old...

There was a time when creating a library of big band recordings was more about collecting than listening. The vinyl 78s were not only hard to find but of limited audio quality. As a collector's...

Storing old records is a very simple task. Some care must be taken to avoid common storage mistakes. Having an old, vintage record collection is quickly becoming popular again and the following...

Vinyl records went out of style for the general population in the early 1980s, but full-length record albums are in demand now more than ever by collectors and audiophiles. The eBay record section...

Music lovers and collectors search for rare record albums for a variety of reasons. Some fans like the original sound of their favorite music while other fans make a financial investment in rare...

Music fans who begin collecting records need to consider the best way to organize their valuable investment. Collectors often learn how to organize a record collection through trial and error....

Music fans young and old have begun to collect records again for a number of reasons. These fans have a nostalgia for a simpler era in music and prefer the sound of original records over...

Collectors who have rare records or a significant number of albums to their name often want to showcase them. There are a number of ways that a music fan can showcase a record collection. The key...

The local record store has been replaced in most cities by large music retailers that provide CDs and DVDs. Fortunately, there are still plenty of rare record stores throughout the United States...

Record collectors invest in rare albums and other memorabilia primarily because of their love of music. The large amount of money that collectors spend on rare records means that they also have to...

Record collectors who think they have a winning collection need to learn how to rate their records. Like comic books and sports cards, a record collection can exist in a number of grades from poor...

Record collectors interested in parting with their rare records need to consider using an auction. Auctions for record collections can yield high bid prices and a significant windfall for...

One of the most overlooked musical genres in the move toward CDs is punk rock. This under appreciation of punk's popularity has put a premium on rare punk records on vinyl. Record collectors who...

The collection of rare jazz records is a pastime common to experienced musicians and young fans alike. Rare jazz recordings that are in perfect condition on vinyl are a significant financial...