The Vinyl Collector's Thread

Certif1ed · 09-28-2009, 04:59 AM

So I'm a massive vinylholic who has to have a fix at least once a month - it would be more like once a week or even daily, but unfortunately, I have to think about cashflow like most people.

Unlike most people, I'm pretty obsessive about the stuff - but only, y'know, the discs of the stuff with music on - not like, wierd clothing and stuff.

I've got about 2,000 LPs at a guess, and a smaller quantity of singles - and I've been caught up in the recent wave of eBay selling that goes into anorak collector details, such as matrix numbers, stampers, cover printers and suchlike.

I thought it'd be kinda cool to do a "featured vinyl" post every now and again, and maybe address queries from those who have vinyls and are curious to find out their value.

I'm not an expert or a dealer - but I am obsessed with the stuff (I may have said...), so maybe I can come up with something - or maybe someone better informed than me can.

First "must-hear" vinyl is the First press of Led Zep's "II".

zep lemmon :: P6220671Medium.jpg picture by selvisssss - Photobucket

http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/m...0639Medium.jpg

It's astonishing - and a first press can fetch as much as £700, although you can pick up a perfectly decent early press for £20 - and, if you've got a record player, it's the best £20 you'll ever spend.

Write-up to follow...

+81 · 09-28-2009, 08:58 AM

I wouldn't really call myself a vinyl collector but I do buy. I'm trying to focus on just buying albums on vinyl over cds now unless they're ridiculously over priced. Luckily I found a nice little indie record shop where most are priced the same as cds. I'm looking to get a record player with built in speakers for my dorm room as I left my turntable set-up at home and and would take up too much space here.

UrbanOutfitters.com > Crosley Stack-O-Matic Woodgrain Turntable
UrbanOutfitters.com > Crosley Archive Portable USB Turntable

Do you have any recommendations?

Certif1ed · 09-28-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by +81

I wouldn't really call myself a vinyl collector but I do buy. I'm trying to focus on just buying albums on vinyl over cds now unless they're ridiculously over priced. Luckily I found a nice little indie record shop where most are priced the same as cds. I'm looking to get a record player with built in speakers for my dorm room as I left my turntable set-up at home and and would take up too much space here.

UrbanOutfitters.com > Crosley Stack-O-Matic Woodgrain Turntable
UrbanOutfitters.com > Crosley Archive Portable USB Turntable

Do you have any recommendations?

I like Steepletones - but then I'm a fan of retro!

They don't sound like a "proper" HiFi of course (I have a Project deck). :P

tgpo · 09-28-2009, 09:29 AM

I'm just now getting into Vinyl. I don't have much experience with it, but it's fun to collect music in a new (old) format.

The Musicophile · 09-28-2009, 10:18 AM

I've got Led Zep II and I love it, don't know how early a pressing it is, it says 'Made in UK' and there's a number: K40037 printed on the sleeve, disc and disc label. Does that help?

I love collecting vinyl, you can pick up some fantastic things for less than the price of a CD. I have an utterly beautiful copy of 'Katy Lied' by Steely Dan, which is my favourite record at the moment. It cost me a fiver

. I've never really looked into what any of them are worth though. I've got a half decent copy of 'Help' and a nice copy of 'Blonde on Blonde' which are quite old looking.

Certif1ed · 09-28-2009, 01:08 PM

THE Led Zep II to own is a UK pressing, on the "Plum and Orange" Atlantic label. If yours is a UK press, but on Green and Orange, then it won't sound nearly as good - the vinyl is a much cheaper compound, and lighter weight - and that makes a difference on any system. Also check the cover - if it's dark brown, then it's a recent cover. If it's light brown (and probably a bit battered looking), it's an early 1970s sleeve. If it's got "Livin' Lovin' Wreck" instead of "Livin' Lovin' Maid", it could be worth £100's.

The "Plum and Orange" LZII is not only a joy to hear, and significantly better than later presses, it's the ultimate test of your music system; Turn that sucker right up, and the thing comes alive in terms of dynamic range.

I'm not saying that this is my favourite album or anything that shallow - it really is a good test.

I got a copy of "Katy Lied" and hated the music. Sorry - this time I'm being shallow - I know it's a finely produced album!

The Blonde on Blonde album's a good pick, though - I'll have a look into the original and value.

I can help you with "Help", though - for starters, does the label have Parlophone written in yellow, is it Mono or stereo, and, if the cover has "flipbacks", can you see if it was printed by Garrod and Lofthouse or E. J. Day?

Classof75 · 10-03-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Certif1ed

THE Led Zep II to own is a UK pressing, on the "Plum and Orange" Atlantic label. If yours is a UK press, but on Green and Orange, then it won't sound nearly as good - the vinyl is a much cheaper compound, and lighter weight - and that makes a difference on any system. Also check the cover - if it's dark brown, then it's a recent cover. If it's light brown (and probably a bit battered looking), it's an early 1970s sleeve. If it's got "Livin' Lovin' Wreck" instead of "Livin' Lovin' Maid", it could be worth £100's.

The "Plum and Orange" LZII is not only a joy to hear, and significantly better than later presses, it's the ultimate test of your music system; Turn that sucker right up, and the thing comes alive in terms of dynamic range.

I'm not saying that this is my favourite album or anything that shallow - it really is a good test.

I got a copy of "Katy Lied" and hated the music. Sorry - this time I'm being shallow - I know it's a finely produced album!

The Blonde on Blonde album's a good pick, though - I'll have a look into the original and value.

I can help you with "Help", though - for starters, does the label have Parlophone written in yellow, is it Mono or stereo, and, if the cover has "flipbacks", can you see if it was printed by Garrod and Lofthouse or E. J. Day?

If you think the "plum and orange UK" Led Zeppelin II is good, find an original 1969 US pressing that has the "RL" (Bob Ludwig mastered) initial etched in the runout area (near the label). Worth looking for. Folks that have one of these "know".

~~Flower Child~~ · 09-28-2009, 06:57 PM

This looks like a pretty fun thread, I'm gonna like seeing your next few featured vinyls because I, too, am fellow vinyl admirer. I inherited a pretty decent classic country collection from my folks, and a few great 80's albums also, like Purple Rain. But the problem is, I have nothing to play them with. So I have had my eye on this one for a really long time, set on getting it, and am partially saved up for it.

Crosley Stack-O-Matic Traveler Turntable

I've been wanting to search out some psychedelic LPs especally those of The Electric Prunes

music_phantom13 · 09-28-2009, 07:08 PM

I think this should be interesting. I love listening to vinyl, and I'd probably consider myself a collector, though to be honest I haven't the slightest idea of what's worth what. To be honest I'd probably rather buy a reissue of an old album than hunt out a rare pressing of that album; while the quality might be different it doesn't make too big of a difference to me. However, I still think it'll be fun to learn a bit about what's famous, and I have a pretty big collection of records from my parents that I can see about. Who knows, maybe I do have a rare one.

Certif1ed · 09-29-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_phantom13

To be honest I'd probably rather buy a reissue of an old album than hunt out a rare pressing of that album; while the quality might be different it doesn't make too big of a difference to me.

There is a very noticeable difference - to some extent, it depends on the equipment you're playing it back on, but, as in any system, the output can only ever be as good as the input.

Thick, good quality vinyl will always sound noticeably better than thin, poor quality compounds - it's a matter of physics;

In good quality vinyl, the polymer molecules are smaller, better aligned, and smoother, allowing more space for the music that's being transferred from the metal cutter. Since the sound on vinyl depends on up and down movement of the stylus (as well as side to side), thickness is also key to a more dynamic sound.

As with a decent guitar amp, you really notice when you turn the volume up.

Crank up a Marshall JCM 800, and your guitar tone will sound sweeter and sweeter.

Crank up a first press Led Zep II, and the sound really comes into its own - you start realising what the fuss is about even if you're not an audiophile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrymwood

My dad is really into collecting records, and he's kind of got me into it too. It pretty much ends up him picking out the gems for me, while I just buy the records I like to listen to them. Recently he gave me a Zeppelin III album in mint condition with the heavier vinyl for my birthday. It's got the wheel on the front cover that you can spin and put the faces in view of the little holes. Not sure if that explanation suffices, lol. Just wondering how much it might be worth?

As with II, III should be on the UK Plum and Orange label - just about every sleeve has the wheel on it. The earliest (and best-sounding) presses have the legend "Do What Thou Wilt, So Mote It Be" etched into the runoff in the actual vinyl - but this text alone does not make them worth much more than about £20 for a really nice copy. They're not rare!

There are three versions which are worth serious money to collectors, the top one of which is a MONO promo with a red sticker on the sleeve proclaiming "promotional dj copy monaural not for resale". These can fetch up to $1000.

Sealed American presses with the original black sticker can fetch top dollar too, and these have the serial number SD-7201, rather than the later 5-digit number.

The UK press to find has 2 identifying features - the first is, of course, the serial number, which should be 2401002. Later presses added a dash - ie 2401-002. The second feature is the production credit given to Jimmy Page appears at the top of the label, with Executive Producer: Peter Grant appearing beneath. On later labels, Jimmy is relegated to the bottom of the label, and Peter's credit is removed altogether!

09-28-2009, 04:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Certif1ed Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 194	The Vinyl Collector's Thread So I'm a massive vinylholic who has to have a fix at least once a month - it would be more like once a week or even daily, but unfortunately, I have to think about cashflow like most people. Unlike most people, I'm pretty obsessive about the stuff - but only, y'know, the discs of the stuff with music on - not like, wierd clothing and stuff. I've got about 2,000 LPs at a guess, and a smaller quantity of singles - and I've been caught up in the recent wave of eBay selling that goes into anorak collector details, such as matrix numbers, stampers, cover printers and suchlike. I thought it'd be kinda cool to do a "featured vinyl" post every now and again, and maybe address queries from those who have vinyls and are curious to find out their value. I'm not an expert or a dealer - but I am obsessed with the stuff (I may have said...), so maybe I can come up with something - or maybe someone better informed than me can. First "must-hear" vinyl is the First press of Led Zep's "II". zep lemmon :: P6220671Medium.jpg picture by selvisssss - Photobucket http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/m...0639Medium.jpg It's astonishing - and a first press can fetch as much as £700, although you can pick up a perfectly decent early press for £20 - and, if you've got a record player, it's the best £20 you'll ever spend. Write-up to follow... Last edited by Certif1ed; 09-28-2009 at 05:06 AM.

09-28-2009, 09:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
tgpo Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 207	I'm just now getting into Vinyl. I don't have much experience with it, but it's fun to collect music in a new (old) format. __________________ tgpo.org \| Last.fm

09-28-2009, 08:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
+81 Rats off to ya! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: House of the Ju-Ju Queen Posts: 1,609	I wouldn't really call myself a vinyl collector but I do buy. I'm trying to focus on just buying albums on vinyl over cds now unless they're ridiculously over priced. Luckily I found a nice little indie record shop where most are priced the same as cds. I'm looking to get a record player with built in speakers for my dorm room as I left my turntable set-up at home and and would take up too much space here. UrbanOutfitters.com > Crosley Stack-O-Matic Woodgrain Turntable UrbanOutfitters.com > Crosley Archive Portable USB Turntable Do you have any recommendations?

09-28-2009, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Musicophile Groupie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 19	I've got Led Zep II and I love it, don't know how early a pressing it is, it says 'Made in UK' and there's a number: K40037 printed on the sleeve, disc and disc label. Does that help? I love collecting vinyl, you can pick up some fantastic things for less than the price of a CD. I have an utterly beautiful copy of 'Katy Lied' by Steely Dan, which is my favourite record at the moment. It cost me a fiver . I've never really looked into what any of them are worth though. I've got a half decent copy of 'Help' and a nice copy of 'Blonde on Blonde' which are quite old looking.

09-28-2009, 01:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Certif1ed Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 194	THE Led Zep II to own is a UK pressing, on the "Plum and Orange" Atlantic label. If yours is a UK press, but on Green and Orange, then it won't sound nearly as good - the vinyl is a much cheaper compound, and lighter weight - and that makes a difference on any system. Also check the cover - if it's dark brown, then it's a recent cover. If it's light brown (and probably a bit battered looking), it's an early 1970s sleeve. If it's got "Livin' Lovin' Wreck" instead of "Livin' Lovin' Maid", it could be worth £100's. The "Plum and Orange" LZII is not only a joy to hear, and significantly better than later presses, it's the ultimate test of your music system; Turn that sucker right up, and the thing comes alive in terms of dynamic range. I'm not saying that this is my favourite album or anything that shallow - it really is a good test. I got a copy of "Katy Lied" and hated the music. Sorry - this time I'm being shallow - I know it's a finely produced album! The Blonde on Blonde album's a good pick, though - I'll have a look into the original and value. I can help you with "Help", though - for starters, does the label have Parlophone written in yellow, is it Mono or stereo, and, if the cover has "flipbacks", can you see if it was printed by Garrod and Lofthouse or E. J. Day?

09-28-2009, 06:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
~~Flower Child~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: classified Posts: 639	This looks like a pretty fun thread, I'm gonna like seeing your next few featured vinyls because I, too, am fellow vinyl admirer. I inherited a pretty decent classic country collection from my folks, and a few great 80's albums also, like Purple Rain. But the problem is, I have nothing to play them with. So I have had my eye on this one for a really long time, set on getting it, and am partially saved up for it. Crosley Stack-O-Matic Traveler Turntable I've been wanting to search out some psychedelic LPs especally those of The Electric Prunes

09-28-2009, 07:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
music_phantom13 Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 942	I think this should be interesting. I love listening to vinyl, and I'd probably consider myself a collector, though to be honest I haven't the slightest idea of what's worth what. To be honest I'd probably rather buy a reissue of an old album than hunt out a rare pressing of that album; while the quality might be different it doesn't make too big of a difference to me. However, I still think it'll be fun to learn a bit about what's famous, and I have a pretty big collection of records from my parents that I can see about. Who knows, maybe I do have a rare one.